Belly Button 228E - Adding to my collection

[Wolffarmer]

I am just the corner drug dealer getting you hooked.



Randy

[KCStudly]

Naw, I can quit anytime....

[alex k]

i don't know about easily quiting .......3 lanterns bought in 5 months and always looking now for a new one's
as mr holmes said to dr watson " the game is afoot "

[Mark72]

Naw, I can quit anytime....

Ha! Famous last words! That's what I thought Too!

Mark

[Mark72]

Naw, I can quit anytime....

Ha! Famous last words! That's what I thought Too!

Mark

[campmaster-k]

Quitting Coleman collecting is easy. I have done it many times. In fact I got myself a three burner almost immediately after I quit collecting any stove bigger than a 425. I quit collecting 70's 220 lanterns and then bought two more at the flea market because I could not help myself. I just wanted one 275. Now I have hmmm three --- or is it five, well the point is I like them. Its seems (for me) what works best is quit cold turkey, then you will find the Coleman piece that you just can't resist.

[KCStudly]

Thank you Wolffarmer Randy!

Gaskets came today.

PM sent.

[KCStudly]

Blew the 228E apart today. Started cleaning it up to get it running again.

I’m not planning on a full restoration. No sand blasting, and probably no paint work. Just a general clean up, get everything freed up and running again.

Got the main valve and cleaning needle freed up and did the shooka shooka to clean a lot of rust out of the tank. Didn’t get the check valve out of the bottom of the pump, but don’t think I screwed it up too much as it seemed to hold pressure when I tested the pump on it with my thumb over the port on the top of the font, so…

I still need to clean the brass bits a little more and rinse the tank some more before putting it back together, but I am fairly confident that it will go back together and run.

Here are a couple of pics.



The main valve needed to be heated up a bit and soaked with PB Blaster and some 3 in 1 oil, then allowed to cool before it would break free (tweaked the half coupling in the font some, but should be able to tweak it back fine).

I was able to get the fuel cap apart without any trouble, but the gasket (which ended up being there) was so hard and brittle that I had to pick it out in little bits and pieces using the pick end of my little pencil compass (I have a full complement of proper tools between work and home, and Karl’s stuff downstairs, but sometimes it is easier to just improvise, rather than go fetch).

So a question: does the new cap gasket just get placed with a dry fit, or should it get a dab of rubber cement or something to hold it in place? The old one seemed to be fossilized in place is why I ask.

[Wolffarmer]

Just put the gasket in dry. But taking a gasket out is a whole lot easier with a torch. I hear a propane torch works but I just put the smallest tip on my oxy/acetylene torch and it is done toot quick.

Randy

[Wolffarmer]

Oh, I also use the oxy/acetylene torch on the shafts that do not turn. I just back the packing nuts all the way off and heat the packing area. They have all turned after that treatment.

Randy

[KCStudly]

Thanks for the advice, Randy. A small spritz of WD40 got the packing nuts freed up easily, and a drop of 3-in-1 oil did the rest on the needle lever. After removing the plastic knob and gland nut, the main valve got hit with a little heat to free it from the font and that also freed it up at the packing.

May still torch the fuel cap button, per your suggestion, to get any traces of the old gasket out; sounds a lot less tedious than my method.

Thanks for all your help. I have not given up on the linear actuators yet (reference TPCE build) but am keeping you in mind for those.

[Wolffarmer]

It could be a while before I get any building done. Could have done some this past 2 weeks and had a pretty good ( lousy ) excuse. I been running to Boise to see my dad in an advanced care hospital. His lungs have just about given up on him and he is in bad condition. He has written out his funeral plans. Luckily he does not expect me to do any speech afying. I probably will not go again until Wednesday. Other people are going tomorrow and tuesday. It is very hard on him to talk so we try to keep down the visitors. And mostly to family. Tuesday I will probably go to the 150th anniversary of a civil war battle field. 3 hours away by car. Yup right here in good ole Idaho we have what some people say is a civil war battle. Even if some might not call it a Civil War battle it was something.

Bear River Massacre

I do not have any idea if there will be some ceremony there but I would like to go just to honor the tribe. Would be even better if I could take the trailer but the weather is not looking nice.

Randy

[Wolffarmer]

hey thats my lantern! thats the excate big hat I have from steve!!!!!

I bettor follow you guys and this post a little bettor. I have trouble getting the thing to light and the vavle has to be open all the way to lite and it burns half ass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

slow

Slow, sounds like you need a new generator or to clean and modify that one.

Randy

[nevadatear]

Randy, wishing your dad comfort. Take care from Randy and me, friend. Tough times as a kid caring for parents.

Debbie

[logman7777]

Yes you need a rubber gasket.

I too get the SAD. In the winter. I need sun and vit D. Scotch helps too.

MMM..Yes got to have some Vitamin S along with that D.. I prefer 18 year Speyside or Laphroaig but I wont turn down any if offered..LOL