Thanks for all the compliments! That's almond green - probably the most common shade used on Morris Minors. It looks a bit lighter outside in daylight. You can buy it in rattle cans (cellulose): http://morrisminorspares.co.uk/shop/product_info.php?products_id=1511 The cans have a good quality spray head and one can should be enough to do quite a few stove cases.
Very nice restoration! I have a soft spot for my 8R, it truly is a classic that will keep on burning forever.
I have an 8R that vastly underperforms compared to my Taiwan copy 123. I have taken the 8R apart and cleaned it, but not replaced the wick (it looked ok but I thought maybe I should reduce it since it was so big?) The stove never has had as big a flame as the 123 and it only really runs in warm weather. Today it is 16C and it barely had a blue flame and after 15 min was struggling. I realize most 8R stoves do not put out as much heat as the 123 but I see photos here and elsewhere that show a 8R really cookin'. I use my stoves in the bush and I need a good cold temperature performer. The M1950, 123 clone and a Coleman 502 all do well in the cold, but not the 8R. Any ideas or this one will be a hanger queen!
Check for leaks of course from the cap and SRV. Even with a poor performing wick, I'd think it would still run better than described. I'd replace the wick also. A new wick in my 99 made a big difference. Duane
Whatever specific material it was that Svea/Optimus et al., used for their filler cap gaskets was actually pretty good stuff and lasts for a long time, longer than it has any right to but unfortunately after several decades loses its "elasticity" and consequently no longer provides a good positive seal. That 8R tank might be unable to build or maintain enough pressure to achieve its full rated output. The 123/R series is listed as having a higher BTU output but I long ago put the stopwatch away on such matters. There is more to life than increasing its speed, they will boil water just fine for Tea or Coffee (as they all do). The 8R has an advantage of being a little less tippy than the Svea too, I expect.
My observation is that my 123 burns hotter than my 8R, and also boils water faster, for the same volume, temperature, etc. I think it is just the upright design of the 123 and better thermal feedback to the tank, that makes the difference. Cheers Simon Foxxx New Zealand
Yes the specifications listed have always shown this, also the published burn time for a tank on the 8R was curiously something like a half hour longer compared with the 123. I'm skeptical of that. Maybe that was a typo. My observation camping with a buddy who had one, stay away from that Optimus Mini-Pump to try and increase the output. Those pumps should be used, if at all, only for priming purposes. For all that I just don't believe the differences in boil time to be that significant. We're supposed to be out enjoying the great outdoors, nature & wildlife, beautiful landscapes, not hovering around a pot of water with a stopwatch!
Hello, imo mini/midi pumping could be okay to enhance the power output. I don't remember well, I think the manufacturer Optimus mentioned about it with a paper - the difference of power output with/without Mini pump.
IMHO the pump doesn't really increase power output....it does get it up to power faster and is a help priming. I have a couple pumps and haven't used em in a long time, just one more thing to mess with.
If I recall correctly, and I may not, the instructions included with the Optimus mini-pump seemed to imply they were primarily intended as an aid in priming the stove, and that "2 or 3" additional pumps could be used to increase output somewhat. Something like that, anyway. My observation is generally people often don't read the instructions, and the tendency is to pump it up like it's a Coleman lantern or something, with predictable result. Since these stoves by design are self-pressurizing it just isn't particularly necessary, and more fiddly bits to mess with. Does anybody know if the safety release valve was designed or intended to "reset" after an incident? Whether a comventional fuel cap or the cap included with the Mini-pump. In theory maybe, but wonder what the track record on that might be. Not very good, I'd expect.
The SRV should be fine IMHO since it only moves a little bit, crud could get in and prevent its complete closure. More likely to introduce debris when using a pump. I've only had one SRV open on my little stoves, I was sterilizing some lake water and did two pots full bringing each to a boil. By then I could only touch the tank for a split second. Duane
The 8R should work just fine in cold temperatures, but maybe not in arctic temperatures. I have had many nice bowls of soup and cups of hot chocolate while hiking or hunting.
Hello! If I should read instructions, I think I did too much for this case. Anyways in my personal opinion, mini pumping is affecting for the power output even for 8R 123 99s, but on the great weather, it wouldn't have a huge difference. From below ref., if it was trustful catalog, 1.2kW to 1.4kW. But no huge matter... Take care, Yun
Hey Duane, I did a warm water dunk on my 8R's tank. Within seconds, bubbles came from the safety relief valve. The fuel cap seal looks ok. I made a tool to remove the SRV (following a BernieDawg youtube video). The pip was hard and deformed. I replaced it with something I found in a M1950 stove seal kit. The new pip was nice and pliable and fit the recess. I fired it up and it works well. The flame is not as large as the 123 clone I have but it does put out almost as much heat and boils water in a few minutes. Thank-you for the advice.
My opinion for what its worth.... I like the mini-pump, use it every time with my 8R and my 46, I find it an essential part of the kit. It turns a good stove into an excellent one. Wouldn't be without it Alec.
Good news Tim. I love my stove time and find a pump isn't needed, but I do see it is beneficial in cold conditions or early 8's with their tiny priming cup, although I don't use the pump for the early models. After all, I mostly want the experience original users went thru to use their stove. Duane
On vacation I always use my 99 to brew my 1st cup of coffee in the morning, but I always pump it 2 pumps to help it up to power. I have to mention that I am using Bernydog's silencer on the 99, 'couse my wife doesn't like the roar I have been using the stove for more then 10 years like this now, warm or cold, rain or shine. Always 2 pumps.
I have one pump. I got it because I didn’t have one, and I thought it would add to the complete kit. I have not used it except to test it out.
