screw and washer sizes for old time chassis

[Terry Toenges]

Here's the situation:
I used an old time HO chassis under my On30 trolley conversion to tourist car. I want to light it.
I bought Athearn Genesis 70 ton prewired trucks to make it easier for me. The hole in the trucks was too small for the Bachmann bolster. I reamed the hole in the trucks so they fit over the bolster. They sit too far down on the bolster and the wheels rub the truss rods.
I can put washers on the bolster to raise it off the truck. Does anyone know what size inside diameter washer I need? I have some Kadee gray washers (#209) and the holes are much too small. I think those holes are 1/8". I'm wondering if a 3/16" hole would be big enough. Does anyone know?
If I use washers, I might need longer screws. The Bachmann screws work with the new trucks but I can't screw them all the way in. I'm worried that they might not be long enough when I start adding washers. Does anyone know what size screws those are if I have to buy longer ones?
I looked at Bachmann's product diagrams and they only list part numbers for screws, not sizes.

[jbrock27]

Have a drill gauge around, the kind with holes, that you can hold up and match to the hole, to give you an idea of the ID?  Then you can get sense a of what ID the washers you need to look for, should be.

[Terry Toenges]

Thanks. I have a digital caliper that I have to get batteries for before I can use it to measure. I don't know if I have a drill gauge. I was hoping someone from Bachmann could tell me what sizes they use. They've been making these old time cars for a long time.
This is it. The washer's inside hole needs to be as big as the hole in the truck because I have to put the washer between the truck and the body to raise the body a bit. The screw is very small diameter with a big head.

You can see the little screw hole so the screw has to be that size.

[jbrock27]

Thanks. I was hoping someone from Bachmann could tell me what sizes they use.

You're welcome.  

Best of luck with that, given how infrequently those kinds of questions are answered by any of the Administrators here. I can tell you one thing though that they are very adept at....

[Terry Toenges]

Mission accomplished. For anyone's future reference - I found the screws and washers that work at Lowe's.
Between the truck and the frame, I used #8s brass flat washers. Between the screw and the truck, I used #4s brass flat washers. For screws, I used #2 x 3/8" brass screws. It worked out great with the added benefit of adding a little more weight and the coupler heights now match up almost perfect with my other On30 cars.
Now, I have to figure out plugs for the wiring so I can disconnect the wires. Do I put a plug on where the lights are or a plug under the frame. I want to be able to get to the interior in case the tourists come loose or if I want to change them. I have a couple of 2 pin white plugs and sockets with wires but they are kind of big. I think they are Miniatronics.