For Coleman 502 Rebuilders

[Toytaco2]

I'm rebuilding a Coleman 502 single burner stove and thought someone could probably help me with a couple of questions: Am I correct that the burner plate (the piece with the 3 screw holes holes in the center of the pic) is threaded onto the tube in the center? If so, I am having one heck of a time getting it off and I don't want to put too much force on it until I'm sure exactly how it comes off. Is it a standard thread and the burner plate needs to be turned counter-clock-wise to it get off? Any suggestions what tool to get this off without messing up the plate?

Thanks,
Mike

[Dave Davis]

I would try using a small sears strap wrench..Maybe this thread might be of help : http://www.spiritburner.com/fusion/show ... ?tid/5012/

[doug hodder]

I used some PB blaster (penetrating oil) on it and a large pair of channel locks padded with some shelving liner. Worked for me, just don't squash it. Doug

[Rock]

There's a trick I picked up for working on cars that almost always works.

Since it's a stove there's no issue with heat. Heat the area up a little with a propane torch. Start with a little for the first try - maybe 10 or 15 seconds keep the torch moving. Then remove the heat and immediately hit the joint with a good spray of the PB Blaster.

The theory is that the hot joint sucks in the PB Blaster when it's rapidly cooled by the spray. It's worked for fasteners on cars that no other method would break loose with out destroying something.

Eric

[dobyman]

Tom (TLC) had the same problem with one of his. Took him a couple days of soaking in Liquid Wrench, but he finally got it off. I guess I lucked out, the three I did were finger tight!

[Toytaco2]

Thanks for all the ideas. After keeping it drenched in penetrating oil overnight, I went up to the local auto parts place and bought one of those "3 finger contracting type" oil filter wrenches that you use with a 3/8's ratchet. I used that along with some of that rubber mesh type shelf liner and finally broke it loose.

Thanks,

Mike