275 Franken-Lantern instructions. Picture heavy

[Mukilteo]

Here is how I did it using a 275 fount and a 200A valve stem on up assembly.
One should use Safety glasses and face masks.
First find you first victim. A Coleman 275 that hasn't been used in years.

Tear her down. I even pull the check valve.


I will flush out the fount with water to get any residual fuel out and heat with a mini torch the area where the valve stem treads into the fount to break loose the sealer Coleman uses.
Than I lock the valve stem in the vice. Not too tight.

Put a rubber drawer liner on her to get a better grip and spin her off.


This is where you want to cut the valve stem off.

I use my Dremel cutting disc.

The added length gives you room to grip it with Vice Grips to re-thread it back into the 275 fount.

Stripped the paint.

Got her ready for painting.

Put a little sealer on the valve stem threads.

I made the mistake of painting before threading in the cut down 275 valve stem.

Than cut if flush with the fount with my Dremel cutting disk.

The inner opening doesn't need the hole re drilled as it is very close to the size for the tap.

The next picture come from Saltfork at the Coleman Collector Forum because I forgot to document this part.
The 200A fount is 1/2 inch taller than the 275 fount so you will need to trim the 200A FA tube.

To be continued. Need a coffee break.
Edited for accuracy.

[Mukilteo]

The next three pictures come from Saltfork at the Coleman Collector Forum because I forgot to document this part.
Next disassemble the FA tube and desolder the tip

With the fuel rod removed cut 1/2 inch off the end of the FA tube. It's a tube with in a tube. cut thru both.

This is the reassembled and resoldered tube before cutting the fuel rod to length.
You will have to have the valve assembled to trim the rod to the right length to make sure it retracts enough to allow fuel flow when the valve is opened.

Reassembled doing a pressure check.

Done.

and the $$$ shot.

Thanks for looking.

[High Desert]

Excellent tutorial Eric, you do some fine work. The black band finish is a great touch.

[campmaster-k]

Thanks Eric. You just answered all of my questions.

[Mukilteo]

Just paint after putting the bushing. That way you don't have to worry about scratching your new paint job tightening the bushing down.
I forgot that with this one.

[Kevin A]

Great tutorial. One of the steps has me thinking though. If the bushing was left a 1/2" taller the F/A tube wouldn't need to be shortened. This would also locate the valve wheel and tip cleaner lever that much higher above the larger diameter fount. The only drawback would be the need to fabricate a taller frame rest/collar. I suppose one could also machine flats on the bushing to allow the use of a wrench to tighten it.

[Mukilteo]

For me, shortening the FA tube is easier than trying to make a new collar.
It's the KISS technique.

[Mukilteo]

My collection of Fat Bottom Girls.

[campmaster-k]

My collection of Fat Bottom Girls.

"Fat Bottom Girls" - Now thats a gang name!

[wagondude]

My collection of Fat Bottom Girls.

"Fat Bottom Girls" - Now thats a gang name!

And "they make this rockin' world go 'round".