A new stem assembly ordered from OldColemanParts just arrived meaning this Speedmaster is back working safely again. I've included a picture of the faulty stem that had been cut downhand the thread split, for reasons I can't fathom. The result was the stove couldn't be shut off. I bought a NOS generator as well as the stem assembly. A very nice touch of Bob at OldColemanParts to include a badge with my order.
I totally agree, built like a tank, simple to service. What's not to like. I was suprised by the size and weight of the thing. I've got a 502 inbound so it'll make an interesting comparison.
Pardon my ignorance, but is there any difference between Coleman of Canada and Coleman/Wichita parts, as far as fit, design, or function? Some of the model numbers are different. I have no Canadian gear, at present. Just a few Witchita stoves: 425F 8-'81, 425F 9-'85*, 502 9-'84*, 413G*, 413E*, and 2 lanterns, CL2* and 222B*. [*= unfettled]. Only the first 425F is working. My main interest has been in the Svea/Optimus sphere. But the Colemans have been such good thrift store buys, that they follow me home and I feed them. I'm gonna have to unlearn my Swedish stov-ese and relearn American. Thankfully I don't have any Ontario GPAs, which is OK since my French sucks.
I'm relatively new to older Coleman gear myself so I'm definitely not the best person to answer however although there maybe small differences I'm pretty sure parts are interchangeable.
I have 8 Coleman Canada 500 stoves, and exactly zero Wichita models. There is very little difference as to functionality and parts, except that Coleman Canada made a 500B which was never made in the US. Here are 7 of them. The brass one is because the Seafoam paint was removed by a previous owner. Almost all have the small cast protrusion on the burner bend except for the very earliest models. There is good info in the Coleman 500 reference gallery. Your French would only suck if you were in Quebec.
