I'm new to the forum. I have a Coleman 2 which I believe was my grandfather's. I'm 72 and the story was he had it when he drove from Wichita to Oakland in a Model T in the 20's to work in the shipyards. My dad was about 11-12 and said they camped the entire way in a sort of caravan of cars. I'm not sure what to do with it...I'm at that age when we're trying to get rid of things and my grown children are not interested. I'd like to see if I can make it work but don't know where to start. I have plenty of other projects to work on. I'll try to include some pictures and would appreciate any thoughts. I'd rather it not go to Goodwill. The key is missing and I expect there may have been an oven rack? Otherwise seems pretty complete and in decent shape save the surface rust. Thanks. Sorry - I've tried to upload pictures, but not sure they look right. Jack
Clean out tank of old fuel, oil the pump cup, might just run if familiar with stoves. Fuel plug uses a lead washer, it may or may not seal, a oring will work in a pinch if the lead washer leaks. Duane
Great story, fun stove. If you want to get it going, we can talk you through it, is easy enough if you have a little bit of tinker in you. Not sure I have seen those hinged pieces on top of the over before, might have to go look at mine. @hikerduane do you recognize those? Certainly don't give it to GW, those are desirable stoves. an advert in the local Facebook marketplace would probably find a buyer, or list it here, or over on the Coleman Collectors Forum, good folks there. Like Duane said, remove pump and oil it, 3;1, engine oil, olive oil, whatever. Rinse tank with a little gas, add some fuel and pump it up. Leave it that way for a bit and see if anything leaks. Message me if you need any help, or post here, we love to sound like we know what we are doing.
Thanks for the quick replies guys. Yes I have a bit of "tinker" in me. My wife will be pleased to learn I have something else to waste my time on. I need to take the pump apart and see what greets me. I think I'll be making some leathers or gaskets or some type of seals. What fuel do I use? There must be an orifice someplace that needs attention, right? The hinged parts that you see on the top of the oven are the latches that close it up when it's folded down. I forgot to take a picture of it before I opened it. I'll do that tomorrow.
Uses white gas, Coleman Fuel, Camp Fuel. If Coleman Fuel was used previously, it may still be good, but might be good to empty tank to check for crud and water. If the generator is in good shape, when the valve is closed, a pricker wire should clear the genny tip. Duane
Thanks. I don't think any fuel has been in this since about 1930. I think I'll spring for some fresh. Honestly I think the tank is dry. Remember the part where I said I was new. I think I need a glossary...generator, pricker wire, genny tip, pump cup Anyone happen to have an operator's manual?
Foot bone is connected to the ankle bone, ankle bone is connected to the leg bone, leg bone is connected to the .......... Duane
Don't seem to have the instructions on the site Ken mentioned above. I know I have seen them on the Coleman Collectors Forum, but cannot locate them at the moment. @Jack Bonham I am looking forward to seeing this one fired up!
Here are a couple more pictures. Close up of the hinged latches. I wonder how many cardboard boxes the design team used to figure out how to make the oven fold flat and tuck nicely under the cover.
Today's progress report. I've basically disassembled everything and I'm removing rust from the burners and all the loose parts. I'm not interested in repainting or spiffing it up, but I'd like to see if I can make it work. I found a good Youtube video on lighting the Model 2 and wow...not sure I would have every figured that out. A question...the tank has three screw in openings...big one to fill, pump, and a little one with a spring. Should these all have some sort of gasket or washer? The pump leather looks good but the pump operates very easily, with minimal resistance. Maybe I need to fill the tank and close the valves. Leak check time?
@snwcmpr 2E is not the same stove. Picture of pump end would help If you have the little thumb screw above pump (perhaps with a spring on it) You open that little thumb screw above the pump, then you pump it up, then close thumb screw. Now tank should be pressurized. Leather pump cup will need to be soaked in oil, then gently stretched. If you have it all apart, you certainly won't feel any resistance in pump. Besides, resistance is futile.
I have a stove just like this but it doesn't have the model number stamp like yours. From what I've read, this stove is somewhat of a transition between Model 1 and Model 2. The wire legs is a typical Model 1 feature but it got transferred to your model 2...model 2s typically have strap legs. I think some of the tank features are also from the Model 1. You can call it a transition model or an early model 2.
