I am trying to reassemble a streamlined observation car (16" Lionel, "New York" on bottom). The problem is getting the long bolt aligned through the truck metal and the bottom plastic to enter the nut resting in a slot in the roof. Any ideas? I have tried many times ending in failure.
Wally
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What car number are you working on?
Is it the postwar 2531/2541 series car?
Larry
Can you hold the screw in place with one hand and then put the top on, while aligning it to the screw?
Going by the Lionel diagram, the head of the screw goes into the slot in the roof, not the nut.
Assembly goes like this:
1) Slide roof assembly off of shell.
2)Run long screw down through car floor and skirt.
3) Attach nut loosely.
4) Slide roof assembly onto head of screw and into shell.
5) Tighten nut.
Attaching a PDF of the 1979 version, which is slightly more advanced but shows the proper assembly method.
Hope this helps!
Mitch
I'm thinking inevrting it, top down, and using gravity to stay plumb.
Also check the nut. One side may be easier to start threads into. Is the nut machined plumb? Crooked threads can be a pita to start into if remote.
A screw that is a few threads longer may help too. (provided it wont bottom out before tight.)
I've always inserted the screw into the plastic roof end, placed that onto the aluminum shell feeding the long bolt thru the hole, added the lower plastic portion and the nut last.
Mitch: roof is one piece with body, no sliding. Still frustrated.
Wally
Isn't this the 16" aluminum car? I think we need a picture.
I also think either the number or a picture is needed.
We are just guessing at which car you have.
Cho Cho Wally posted:Mitch: roof is one piece with body, no sliding. Still frustrated.
Hum. We're gonna need pics, then, before we can offer opinions... 
Mitch
So we eagerly wait for a response...
When I get back from Raleigh's SE TCA I'll try to send a photo.
Wally
So, is this the car?
Yes BobbyD, I believe it is. Thanks in this busy season. The rear door to the abs car fell off during my fiddling so I just used forceps through that opening, but then I had a dickens of a time getting the door (with interior tabs) back on once the roof was in place. Thanks everybody body.
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