Rebuilding Old Coleman Stoves

[daniel3507]

I just got an old coleman off eBay for a good price. Says that it is a 413g499 dated 5/1979. Looks like it's in almost brand new condition and even comes with the original box. It's a white gas only (wanted a duel fuel but I would probably use white gas only even in a duel fuel) and was wondering if I should replace anything before I fire it up. Any gaskets that could be bad? Anything I might replace just in case? Or am I good to go as is?

 

[Tazman]

You will probably just need to take the air pump apart, clean it out and recondition the leather gasket. I have a couple of old ones and they go forever. Don't forget a little oil in the pump and your good to go.

 

[BulldoginaJeepwithaColt]

You can visit www.oldcolemanparts.com for a wealth of information, diagrams, troubleshooting, tips and of course spare parts.

Coleman products, especially the vintage stuff is completely rebuildable and serviceable for the most part forever.

There are some other websites and YouTube videos also.

Enjoy your new stove!

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[mkitchen]

Good info, thanks

I too am looking at getting an old Coleman stove tuned up. My son found an older stove that he gave to me. I am not sure of the model or year but it is a larger Coleman two burner and has all the parts but has been sitting for years. I have been looking for one for some time. I have a newer propane model but I wanted a white gas stove to go with my old 71 truck that I use on the Old Iron Run and it is kind of fun to have era specific gear to go with the truck. So this stove is a good start.

As I am sure has happened a lot, I had two old stoves and a red, single mantle lantern that all worked great and many years ago, I got rid of it all and went to propane. One of the stoves and the lantern were bought by my wife's parents back in the 50's. Wish I had all that gear now.
Mikey

 

[AndrewP]

It is likely it will work fine, but there are 3 things I would do.

1-Replace the cap gasket. They dry out and don't pressure seal. You could get a new cap at walmart and wait for your gasket to come in.

2-Oil the leather pump cup. Neetsfoot oil is traditional but motor oil works well-turn the leather inside out, soak in oil for an hour, use

3-Run a pipe cleaner through the manifold to clear out any cob webs

It should be easy to get it going. Recommended reading:

https://www.oldcolemanparts.com/resources/ops.php

 

[Kevin108]

Good advice from Andrew!

The cap gasket may be okay. You'll know when you try to pump it up.

If it doesn't make pressure, remove the pump stem, flip the leather pump cup inside out, and soak it in oil overnight.

Yes, white gas/Coleman fuel is the best choice in the older stoves and Dual Fuel models.

 

[daniel3507]

Got the stove today and it fired up just fine! The flame never really turned super blue though when down low. Is that something that needs or can be fixed?

 

[Kevin108]

Pump up the pressure and run it for 5-10 mins to warm up the generator. You should see blue eventually.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[Martinjmpr]

Nothing to add except a warning: Once you get a taste for old coleman products, they can be highly addictive. It starts easy, just a lantern or two, maybe a stove. "I can use this for camping" you tell your spouse as she rolls her eyes.
.
You tell yourself "I can stop anytime" but the thought of finding a Ted Williams or a Gold Bond for $5 at a yard sale is too powerful. Pretty soon your scouring eBay for your "birthday lantern", then your spouse's, then your kids....
.
Run Away! While you still can! :sombrero:
.
OH and whatever you do don't join the Antique Coleman Collectors' FB group or all you'll hear about is "Frankies" (i.e. "Frankenstein" lanterns put together from parts of other lanterns), "Turds" (275's) and how much you should pay for a lantern (the answer is: $8.00)
.
You've been warned. :ylsmoke:

 

[Kevin108]

$8 lol you and I must be in the same FB group.

 

[wagex]

i have a pretty old and beat up coleman 3 burner stove and a lantern, whenever i have any issues with it burning weird i just blow the main tube with an air hose to clear out the cob webs then it works fine. i also got rid of the leather pluger for it as i got tired of having to take it out and soak in in oil every year put in a $5 rubber plunger from walmart havent had to worry about it since. also for the seal in the cap just find an o-ring at napa for like 50 cents.

 

[Kevin108]

Believe it or not, the leather pump cup will outlast the new neoprene cups.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Believe it or not, the leather pump cup will outlast the new neoprene cups.

.
Very true my "Birthday lantern" (12/61) and the wife's (8/62) are both on their original gaskets and both light up just fine. 228's, both of them (I like big hats and I cannot lie...)

 

[MuckSavage]

Nice score & great discussion! There's 2old lanterns hanging in my dad's garage & I can't wait to dig into them. Sadly, it looks like tar is leaking out of the fill cap on one. I don't know it it could be saved. The model & date codes are;
Silver model 228D. B 50
Green 228E 1/58, 1/58

 

[Junkinduck]

Nothing to add except a warning: Once you get a taste for old coleman products, they can be highly addictive. It starts easy, just a lantern or two, maybe a stove. "I can use this for camping" you tell your spouse as she rolls her eyes.
.
You tell yourself "I can stop anytime" but the thought of finding a Ted Williams or a Gold Bond for $5 at a yard sale is too powerful. Pretty soon your scouring eBay for your "birthday lantern", then your spouse's, then your kids....
.
Run Away! While you still can! :sombrero:
.
OH and whatever you do don't join the Antique Coleman Collectors' FB group or all you'll hear about is "Frankies" (i.e. "Frankenstein" lanterns put together from parts of other lanterns), "Turds" (275's) and how much you should pay for a lantern (the answer is: $8.00)
.
You've been warned. :ylsmoke:

I am guilty. Still looking for the 1/72 birthday lantern.