I'd been on the lookout for a Coleman 500A for a while and eventually got one, donating a pile of cash to Her Majesty's Customs for the privilege. Here I'd already stripped it down, cleaned and reassembled it before putting it to work brewing up. The Simplex 3-pinter kettle fit the circular grate really well Simmer is predictably excellent The 'Coleman of the Night' stamping ... ... and that on the base signifying August of 1955 for the date of manufacture Removing the fuel/air valve from the tank, I see that it's not as rough a casting as that on my 1938 Coleman 500. Terry Marsh pointed that characteristic out to me when I consulted him about the '38 stove. Guess which is which '38 valve Ok, I've serviced it and I'm reassembling the stove now. That dimpled circular plate retaining the burner washers catches my eye. The orientation of the dimple is on the valve control side of the stove A closer look I've wondered for a while what would happen to the flame pattern if I switch the dimple through 180 degrees on one of these stoves. Hmm, a lopsided flame pattern sure enough Ok, playtime over, the dimple retaining plate is back on the right way round and the stove's fired up for a test run John
Buen trabajo I hope an old coleman stove crosses my way súre would like to have one Felicitaciones on a great resto job Saludos
Beautiful stove, John. Your photos are top notch and works of art as usual! The flames are picture perfect! 8) However, you definitely have a case of Colemania! You might need to prime a Svea to give your bloodstream a little brassilitis, or fettle an Optimus to get a kerosenecus infection. Ah, but then your diagnosis would require, via cleaning needle, several Primus-inoculations, all 71 of them, for a hopeful cure. This will actually result in your developing a Radiusallergic reaction under your spirit cup, if you know what I mean. So then, the reaction will require treatment by No2MKII therapy, which will drive you mad and sadly, back to pump one - Colemania. ok, the prognosis does not look good, the death panel would not even bother to vote. Never mind. Keep up the awesome work! sam
Outstanding John!!! I have never been a huge fan of the 500A but I think you might have changed my mind. Oh dear is Colemania contagious? I have been living with it for years I think. Wife's seem immune. Cheers, Jeff
John there is no cure for Colemania, you are doomed, I contracted it 18 months ago and I have had to live with it every day since. Lovely 500A and great pictures.
Hi All, John, ah me favorite the 500A , USA, love the round grate, most don't, but I love 'em. Your fount looks minty , excellent ! I imagine some some good grub will come off that stove in the furure I was lucky enough to score my "birthday" 500A, dated "1-57", the year and month of my birth a few weeks back.Had been looking for ever. Again fine lookng and running stove, congrats Tom
Fantastic stove! I am having a rotten time with my 500A. Very difficult to start when it is cold. I have a small flame (yellow) for a while and then there is a metallic 'tink' sound at which point the burner flares up yellow for a while then settles down to a nice burn. I've cleaned and re-cleaned the generator and cleaned the line from the tank to the tee connector that is at the control knob. The nipple is also cleaned thoroughly. I have a June 1956 model. Also, the wire level the is to be moved from 'Light' to 'Burn' doesn't seem to have any effect on the flame or lighting. Thanx, and remember what they say in the Old Country: "If it isn't broke, fix it until it is!".
Hi BB. I'm pretty sure it's the fuel-air valve that needs cleaning, given those symptoms. It's something I've experienced on Coleman stuff quite often when it's old (but new to me). To get the valve out I strip off all the 'superstructure' from the tank (grate, fuel line cast iron mixing chamber) and clamp the flats of the valve body in a soft-jawed vice, then turn the tank anti-clockwise. The valve strips down, usually best to do after it's had a soak in carburettor cleaner to loosen up the threads, particularly of the pick-up tube, (which is what's usually the problem, encrusted with gummed-up fuel). Some thread-sealer on the valve-to-tank threads when replacing the reassembled valve is a useful precaution to take to supplement the sealing taper of the threaded part of the valve. The metallic sound you've mentioned has me foxed, but removing the valve should reveal an obvious cause ... John
Thanx much John... I'll give it a shot after soaking the joint to the tank. The confusing thing to me is that the 'tink' only happens when its cold therefor, I conclude that it has something to do with metal expanding. I'm thinking about taking this stove along on my salmon fishing trip in a few weeks so, I need to know that it will start in the cold weather (< 40 deg F) in the morning. Of course, I'll have my 123 near at hand for a warm cup of java if it doesn't start up!! LOL
The tink sound may simply be cold metal expanding. JMHO The comment about the orientation of the dimple in the top burner plate was helpful; I own two 500's and had installed one plate backwards. Thanks.
