So it begins

[IndyTom]

I picked this up today off Craigslist.


Seems to be a very nice 413F in really great condition. But here is my question. I thought these things had dates stamped on the bottom of the tanks. There is nothing stamped on the bottom of this tank. Where else can the date be.

I does not appear to have been used much, and it looks like it was always stored inside, so I have no idea from appearance how old it might be. The only issue I have found so far is that is does not seem to pump up, so I guess it needs a pump rebuild. I have never done one of those before, but from all I have read here, it doesn't seem to difficult.

Here are a couple more pics.

[DragonFire]

There is a sticky at the beginning of the 'Vintage Camping Equipment" thread.

It's a link to find your Coleman dates. Check it out..you will be hooked. You will also know where to look on the stove for the dates...I believe it's the tabs that insert the tank into the stove box....and you will get info on what years your model was produced.

Nice stove, BTW. I think you need a lantern to go with it, though~!

[IndyTom]

Thanks. Never thought to check the stickies.

Tom

[DragonFire]

Stickies....not just for decoration anymore!!!

Keep following some of the links on the stickies...some are dead and redirect multiple times. You will fall into a pit worse than the La Brea Tar Pits. It's a point of no return.

But you have company. Many of us have partaken of the white gas. You are not alone...

[IndyTom]

Well, there are no dates visible where the sticky said there would be. It almost looks like there is something stamped on the bottom of the case, but the few characters I can make out are reversed, which makes me wonder if there is something stamped on the inside bottom. I am hoping to get the pump rebuilt so I can cook on it this weekend at the Shiveree. Maybe there will be wisdom beyond mine at the event that can help me date this thing. The exciting thing is, based on the period that the 413F was produced, this could be my birthday stove. We will just have to see.

Tom

[campmaster-k]

Some stoves have no date on them. You just have to go by when that particular model was produced.

Many pumps need only the leather to be oiled and massaged. Try that first before taking anything apart.

Congrats that is a great find. Its now at the home of a Coleman Keeper. An orphan Colemans dream home.

[IndyTom]

The cool thing is Kirk, I was a Coleman Keeper even before I knew I was. I still have the 288 that my dad gave me for my birthday in about 1982-3, and I had picked up a Turd a few years ago that has been gathering dust in my garage. I had pushed them aside for more modern propane versions of the Coleman Lantern but always loved my old white gassers. Add to that the single burner white gas stove (533) I bought a few years ago for making coffee without taking up space on my propane stove. I was always impressed by how well it worked. Now watching you guys, I am completely under the spell of white gas. My goal is to find my birthday lantern and my birthday stove. And try to hide my new addiction from SWMBO.

Tom

[Wolffarmer]

Of all the 2 burner stoves I have. Only one has a date. At least Doug says he saw it, I can't remember actually looking myself. Heck it is a 1983.

Randy

[IndyTom]

Kirk, you are dead on about the pump leather. I oiled it well and after a few pumps I felt it catch near the end of the stroke. A few more after that, and it was pumping like new. As soon as I started building some pressure in the tank, I learned that the old 3 piece cap was leaking. And Wal-Mart did not have any tonight. Oh well, will either have to borrow one from one of my lanterns or my 533, or wait a while to light it up. Can't wait to see it lit up and going.

Tom

[Wolffarmer]

Tom, Walf&^t will not have any 3 piece caps, only ones you can buy new any place are the one piece things. They are ugly on a vintage lamp. IMHO.

You can get gaskets for the 3 piece caps. Last time I got some they was $5 for 10 + $1.97 shipping.

Randy

[IndyTom]

Randy,
Do you have a favorite source for the gaskets for he 3piece caps? And I knew that I couldn't get a new 3 piece, but was just looking for a cap I could use to get the stove up and going to make sure there is nothing wrong with it.

Tom

[campmaster-k]

I buy my gasgets from old colemanparts.com great people great service.

[Wolffarmer]

Tom,

Basnett Hardware

I last bought from him and found him to be very reasonable. I have also bought from Coleman.com but they only have the single piece cap. But on other things they can be very good and shipping was timely and reasonable for a major company. I have yet to get anything from Old Coleman Parts. The parts I bought from Coleman Inc came in cheaper than OCP would have. So shop around, until you get tired of looking at web pages.



Randy

[IndyTom]

Well, I got a temporary cap, got the pump working, put in some white gas, pumped it up and it fired right up. I am always amazed by how well these things just keep working. I was in a hurry and forgot to get pics, but I promise to take some of it in action at the Shiveree this weekend and post them when I get back.

Tom

[campmaster-k]

Ok so its alive now. Whats your next Coleman project gonna be?