The Coleman Thread (4 Viewers)

[89BIGBLUE]

On cases for 228 Big Hats, it depends on which model you have; early 228s (A-E) with the tall ventilator won't fit in the clamshell cases. The later models -K with the shorter, modern vent definitely will. This is due to the height of the ventilator nut. The later models big hat's are the same dimensions as any other 220 series, for which the clamshell cases were designed.

I have a clamshell case that someone “altered” by removing just a bit of material where the ball nut hits on the taller model 228’s, to make space for the height difference.
It’s a modification, but once done, it should fit MOST of the older, larger fount lanterns, if that makes sense.

 

[DUTCHDJ1]

What is everyone's best solvent/solution to clean old fuel out of an old stove? I have a WWII a Coleman 523 WWII stove with a bit of gummy fuel in the tank that's probably 30yrs old (or more!). I don't want to pour in new and try to burn it and I can't get anything in there to brush it

 

[williaty]

What is everyone's best solvent/solution to clean old fuel out of an old stove? I have a WWII a Coleman 523 WWII stove with a bit of gummy fuel in the tank that's probably 30yrs old (or more!). I don't want to pour in new and try to burn it and I can't get anything in there to brush it

I'm a heathen and pour in brake cleaner. The good stuff that's illegal in 49 states and the EU. The one with the terrible warnings about me getting cancer and my kids having 3 eyes on the can. I find that takes most anything out if you swish it around for a while.

 

[DUTCHDJ1]

Exactly the kind of answer I was hoping for. I've got a can of pretty good stuff in the garage. Thanks!

 

[Spike Strip]

If that doesn't work, some people put a fist-full of BBs in the tank with solvent of your choice or even fresh gas and swirl that around a bit. Drain. Repeat a few times. Then final rinse without BBs. I've done that with PB blaster and then rinsed with White Gas and it worked pretty well.

 

[John McVicker]

What is everyone's best solvent/solution to clean old fuel out of an old stove? I have a WWII a Coleman 523 WWII stove with a bit of gummy fuel in the tank that's probably 30yrs old (or more!). I don't want to pour in new and try to burn it and I can't get anything in there to brush it

I always use just plain vinegar. Let it sit for a course of hours, if it’s really bad, let it sit overnight. Works very well.

 

[DUTCHDJ1]

If that doesn't work, some people put a fist-full of BBs in the tank with solvent of your choice or even fresh gas and swirl that around a bit. Drain. Repeat a few times. Then final rinse without BBs. I've done that with PB blaster and then rinsed with White Gas and it worked pretty well.

I've got a can of PB Blaster too. Maybe I'll mix it with brake cleaner as well.

 

[subzali]

When it’s dark outside it’s time to fire up the lanterns…

 

[Godwin]

Stove score today with @cruiserinsanity. We picked up an unused Coleman 425 and two military surplus stoves. A 1966 labelled Coleman and unused, and a 1952 labelled Rogers but identical in appearance to the Coleman. The Rogers came with the box and the Coleman with aluminum housing that could serve for heating food and drink.

 

[jht3]

Cleaning out my father-in-laws garage after his recent passing, I found a few old Coleman things. No clue the last time any of this was last run. Found fuel in the stove and lantern. Smells like coleman fuel. I've used some of these things in boy scouts but never owned any, so trying to figure out how to bring them back to life. i think its worth it?

found some info on the old town coleman site, and read many of the posts here. haven't deep dived yet.
where to get repair or spare parts like mantles, generators, fuel caps, etc.
can you change just the cap gasket, or a whole new cap
are generators cleanable or just replace
any other tips or feedback are welcome!

290-700 CLX lantern dated 1984
-a quick test did fire it up, with a bit of "pulsing" maybe. the mantles each have a hole in them. i turned it off. glass rattles but no obvious way to stop that.
-pulled the pump. the pump cup appears to be rubber/plastic vs leather? cap does have an oil hole. probably didn't need to but put some 3-1 oil on it and re-installed. pumping it up, it fails the check valve test i saw on oldtowncoleman. and the cap needs to be tightened down quite a bit to seal.
-i'm thinking i need new mantles, fuel cap, and check valve. maybe a generator, "while i'm in there"?
-i don't have a plastic case, just the cardboard box. ebay for a case or something else?

426D stove dated 1978
-a quick test fire got all 3 burners going. middle one is more orange/sooty than the left or right.
-this pump cup appears to be leather. also put some 3-1 oil on it. this one also fails the check valve test, but not as bad as the lantern
-i'm thinking it needs a new fuel cap and check valve. also a generator while i'm in there? can i clean the generator vs replace?

512A heater dated 1970
-no clue about this thing. do these even work well? didn't test it at all. seems you have to pour fuel on the top, then light it?
-no moving parts or obvious way to take it apart. fuel cap has a screw in it, so not a one-piece design like the newer stove and lantern. clearly missing the handle as well.
-thinking it needs a new cap

 

[too tall]

Catalytic Heater. They are awesome. Ive had one for years. Ive used it in my 60 in the winter it works very well. When I light mine, I fill it with fuel then tip it upside down to saturate the globe with gas so it makes a wet spot. You have to trial and error until you find the size of spot that will allow it to light. When you have wet spot , light it on fire and the flame will eventually burn out. It should be lit at this point.
Sometimes hard to tell in the daylight if it is actually lit but you can hold your hand over top of the globe and feel the heat coming from it. If after a couple of minutes it goes cool, you need to repeat the process. Maybe try a larger wet spot.
When you want to put it out, put the snuffer on.

 

[jht3]

Catalytic Heater. They are awesome. Ive had one for years. Ive used it in my 60 in the winter it works very well. When I light mine, I fill it with fuel then tip it upside down to saturate the globe with gas so it makes a wet spot. You have to trial and error until you find the size of spot that will allow it to light. When you have wet spot , light it on fire and the flame will eventually burn out. It should be lit at this point.
Sometimes hard to tell in the daylight if it is actually lit but you can hold your hand over top of the globe and feel the heat coming from it. If after a couple of minutes it goes cool, you need to repeat the process. Maybe try a larger wet spot.
When you want to put it out, put the snuffer on.

by fuel, do you mean Coleman fuel or unleaded. The label on the unit says don't use LEADED gas, so I'm thinking UNleaded might actually work fine. Where advice seems to be don't use unleaded in stoves or lanterns.

Inside your 60? with a window or two cracked?

 

[too tall]

by fuel, do you mean Coleman fuel or unleaded. The label on the unit says don't use LEADED gas, so I'm thinking UNleaded might actually work fine. Where advice seems to be don't use unleaded in stoves or lanterns.

Inside your 60? with a window or two cracked?

You should not use gasoline. You need to use the "white gas" fuel or the Coleman branded fuel. Not sure what would happen with gasoline? I know there is very little odour with the Coleman product. Yes I crack the windows in the front and place the heater on a level surface where it can't get tipped over somewhere in the front seating area or on the console. They fit pretty good inside of a milk crate .

 

[Godwin]

I had to give the 1952 M-1950 stove a trial run. Added fresh white gas, followed the simple lighting instructions and the stove fired up and cranked out a good flame. I think this one will live in the back of the FJ60 to take on water boiling duties for coffee.

This one is stamped "Rogers" and the box is labelled "Rogers" while the identical 1966 M-1950 is stamped "Coleman."

 

[subzali]

@jht3 I believe new plastic cases are available. Maybe you have a Coleman outlet nearby? You can get most of everything else you might need there as well.

 

[Skniper]

Cleaning out my father-in-laws garage after his recent passing, I found a few old Coleman things. No clue the last time any of this was last run. Found fuel in the stove and lantern. Smells like coleman fuel. I've used some of these things in boy scouts but never owned any, so trying to figure out how to bring them back to life. i think its worth it?

found some info on the old town coleman site, and read many of the posts here. haven't deep dived yet.
where to get repair or spare parts like mantles, generators, fuel caps, etc.
can you change just the cap gasket, or a whole new cap
are generators cleanable or just replace
any other tips or feedback are welcome!

290-700 CLX lantern dated 1984
-a quick test did fire it up, with a bit of "pulsing" maybe. the mantles each have a hole in them. i turned it off. glass rattles but no obvious way to stop that.
-pulled the pump. the pump cup appears to be rubber/plastic vs leather? cap does have an oil hole. probably didn't need to but put some 3-1 oil on it and re-installed. pumping it up, it fails the check valve test i saw on oldtowncoleman. and the cap needs to be tightened down quite a bit to seal.
-i'm thinking i need new mantles, fuel cap, and check valve. maybe a generator, "while i'm in there"?
-i don't have a plastic case, just the cardboard box. ebay for a case or something else?
View attachment 3166954

426D stove dated 1978
-a quick test fire got all 3 burners going. middle one is more orange/sooty than the left or right.
-this pump cup appears to be leather. also put some 3-1 oil on it. this one also fails the check valve test, but not as bad as the lantern
-i'm thinking it needs a new fuel cap and check valve. also a generator while i'm in there? can i clean the generator vs replace?
View attachment 3166952View attachment 3166953

512A heater dated 1970
-no clue about this thing. do these even work well? didn't test it at all. seems you have to pour fuel on the top, then light it?
-no moving parts or obvious way to take it apart. fuel cap has a screw in it, so not a one-piece design like the newer stove and lantern. clearly missing the handle as well.
-thinking it needs a new cap
View attachment 3166955View attachment 3166958

I picked up one of these heaters awhile back for the fun of it. I showed its light up in post #2887-2888. They’re kinda cool, I like the Coleman novelty of it.

Fire it up and check it out.

 

[jht3]

@jht3 I believe new plastic cases are available. Maybe you have a Coleman outlet nearby? You can get most of everything else you might need there as well.

google shows no outlets anywhere nearby

I picked up one of these heaters awhile back for the fun of it. I showed its light up in post #2887-2888. They’re kinda cool, I like the Coleman novelty of it.

Fire it up and check it out.

gotta gets some fresh white gas. then i'll try it out!

 

[subzali]

google shows no outlets anywhere nearby


gotta gets some fresh white gas. then i'll try it out!

Try this place: Old Coleman Parts > Categories - https://www.oldcolemanparts.com/

 

[HelloKitty65]

You should not use gasoline. You need to use the "white gas" fuel or the Coleman branded fuel. Not sure what would happen with gasoline? I know there is very little odour with the Coleman product...

2x. I believe the reason for avoiding gasoline in particular is that it fouls the catalytic converter. It may never function again, even after switching back to Coleman fuel. Don't ask me how I know.

 

[jht3]

2x. I believe the reason for avoiding gasoline in particular is that it fouls the catalytic converter. It may never function again, even after switching back back Coleman fuel. Don't ask me how I know.

makes sense. white gas it is.