I have enough postwar cars with (coil) coupler issues that it is worth considering fixing them, but my head is swimming in the planning "how-to". I have zero experience with these couplers, don't mind tooling for the tiny parts, and would prefer to make the repairs and get these cars back on track. Any advice is appreciated. 
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There is good information on coupler repair in the service manual. My most common repair is replacing knuckle springs. The most difficult part of the repair is getting the old rivet out without scratching things all up. The tool you will need is the Brakeman’s Riveting tool. To remove the coupler from the truck, spread the sides of the truck and drop the axles out. Do not unbend the tabs. Not every truck is repairable, watch for loose trucks at a good price to build up a pool of replacement trucks. All necessary parts are still available. You need to get to know the parts suppliers and build a stock as you find them. One thing to watch for is bent axles. These result in derailments. I replace bent axles, but if you are patient you can straighten them.
Personally, I think you are better off without the sliding shoe, can get snagged on switches.
Thank you illlnoiscentral and David! Both replies are much appreciated. I have been wondering about those slide shoes: "why are so many missing?", and on occasion witnessed what illnoiscentral described--only I did not connect the dots. I will be considering eliminating the sliding shoe all together. And as fate would have it, I just placed an order for TC-109s and TC-208s. I'll have to slow my roll down a tad (recalculating).
After getting set to purchase a Brakeman's Rivet Tool set at Carl's (Carl's seems to have cornered the BRT market), the plan "derailed" at the Checkout page. Ouch. Recalculating.
Again, thanks for giving my brain a breather here.
If all you need is the Tool to Rivet in the New pin you can simply purchase a Spring Loaded Center Punch as that is what they are selling. With that said they have a LOT of other tools available but the single tool to spread the bottom of the Coupler Pin is just a Spring Loaded //Center Punch.
Available at Amazon.
Yes, Yendor, let the riveting begin. I do have a few centering punches around. Thanks for the advice.
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