Hi. My name is Trevelyan and I own an 8R stove. I've had this stove 25 years,though it was not new when I got it. I really don't know what model year it is, if that's important. I used to use it a lot, then it sat idle for a long time until recently. This weekend it developed a leaky jet (or I just noticed it this weekend). By leaky I mean when the stove is turned OFF it leaks fuel from the jet/nipple. I think it was due to my "cleaning" it last time I had it out, and replacing the cleaning needle incorrectly. All this knowledge has come from this very forum, in the space of a half hour of browsing, so please feel free to correct any erroneous assumptions or declarations I may have made I have a few questions: What fuel should I be using here in the USA ? Is there any good reason to purchase the whole repair kit from A&H? I think I just need new graphite packing for the spindle Can testing of the correct needle placement (three clicks etc) be effected without the packing? Can that packing be substituted by anything else? (can I effect a home repair with something in my workshop?) What else should I know? (I already love the stove, and the forum)
Hello Trevelyan and Welcome to the forum. Your stove used coleman gas or also known as white gas or naphtha. It can only use this type of fuel. The repair kit gives you a new spindle, jet, packing, cleaning needle, stuffing box nut, gasket for the tank cap. Its good to have the spare parts but you only need the graphite packing. The needle placement will not be affected by the lack of a packing. In fact you can even run this stove without the cleaning needle. There are graphite tapes and rope like packing available in most hardware stoves. I have had great luck with the tape. Graphite is the only thing I find that can stand up to the fuel and wear of the spindle. The gasket on the tank cap needs to be checked. If it is hard then it should be replaced. I would replace it anyway. There is a wick inside the tank that goes into the tube to the burner. Have a look at that. It helps to rinse some fresh fuel through it. Cheers, Jeff
Hi Jeff. Thanks for the info. It's good to know I've been using the right fuel. Do you have any more information on that rope/tape packing? My local hardware store is great, full of all sorts of stuff, but you'd better know what it is and what it might be used for before you go. What exactly does the packing do? Is it a seal to contain fuel from exiting through the spindle tube?
Your welcome. Graphite tape is used in plumbing and heating plumbing. It normally comes in roles like electrical tape. The people at the hardware store will know about it I am sure. Yes that's what the packing does. It acts like a seal. The stuffing box nut compresses the packing and causes the packing to seal. Simple eh. As for the age of your stove. Hard to tell. But around later 70's to 80's is my guess. Jeff
8R's are fine stoves. I ran mine on motor fuel for at least 10 years. Drained from my VW, motorcycle or cadged from rides while hitchhiking. Only problem was a scorched wick after running it out of gas. I thought my label was bad until I saw yours....
I agree that you can "play" with the needle position without the graphite packing. You could try taking the burner off the tank and blowing to check the valve is fully shut. However, just ot be absolutely clear and explicit, DO NOT (sorry to shout!) light the stove without the graphite packing otherwise you'll get a massive fireball. Cheers, Graham.
Thank you gentlemen. the local hardware store did have some graphite packing. It was in the plumbing aisle, sold for the packing of faucets (taps). They also had some heat-resistant paint, in red and black, so whilst the paint dried (not go-faster stripes, just red outside, black inside) I cleaned and re-assembled the stove. Perfect. Whether it was the cleaning of the needle and jet assembly,or the fresh packing, or just the disasembly and reassembly, everything appears to be working fine. As soon as the paint cures and all is well I will post pictures and perhaps video. Does anyone have access to 8R labels for the outside of the box (see mine in a picture above, now gone doe to the repaint) I'm happy to pay for one and its shipping. Trev.
Excellent work Trev!!! Love the colors! I have never seen any reproduction labels for the 8r. But here is a site that makes labels for other vintage stoves. Try giving them a shout. Link Cheers,Jeff
Just be careful with the plumbing stuff, I bought some black 'Graphite' cord that melted immediatly and caused an impressive fireball. A lot of the sealant for plumbing is only good at low temps. I did find some teflon cord that works well, at the local Ace hardware. Also bought a roll of graphite tape off the internet, the stuff Ross was talking about, about a hundred years worth...
