I got my JC Higgins 710 2 burner stove working. Had to clean out the fuel tube with a pin (gunk build up), soaked everything in carb cleaner (except for the leather pump that went in oil) and flushed the tank. I also scrubbed the outside to make it a little more presentable. I posted it on here and on http://oldtownyucca.websitetoolbox.com/ and nobody seems to know too much about it. Im not sure if I should try and restore it, or give it to family/friends when they ask to borrow a stove (so they don't mess up my nice Coleman ones ).
It looks great. Just keep it as it is, and loan out the Coleman. The Coleman is going to be a lot easier to fix/replace than this gem.
Don't know if you had seen these, but it looks like it's probably between 1940 and the 60s anyway. The one Monte Dodge has is 60s. http://www.searsarchives.com/brands/jchiggins.htm http://www.pbase.com/mad_monte1/image/70282151 edit- This implies 50s- http://vintagecolemanlanterns.blogspot.com/2009/03/classic-lanterns-camp-stove.html
The left hand control and air/lighting valve arrangement suggest another fine AGM(American Gas Machine) product. Cast iron burners.....OOOOOOOHHH! Mike
I found out a library near me has microfilms of all the Sears catalogs so one day when I get a chance I can try and find a date range for it. I believe it was made by Thermos (a division of AGM) from what I have found out. Does anyone know where I can find history/parts/information about Thermos or AGM?
Good Afternoon, I just joined this site 5 minutes ago, i appologize in advance if I'm not following the protocol. I bought a 3 burner JC Higgins camp stove at my landlord's garage sale in 1987. It was hardly used and in great shape. I used it only once on a camping trip and it was spectacular. Then when I was filling it up with Coleman fuel, the pump is attached to the fill cap, the copper tube? Unraveled a bit and when I toghtened it I unforunatly in tighten the tube and it separated from the pump leather and I could never get the copper tube past the leather plunger. I have not had any luck to findingreplacement pump parts and I guess it is already evident that I am not mechanically inclined. My question: is it safe for me to try a Stansport propane converter for my 3 burner JC Higgins white gas stove?
Post some pictures. I don't think the pump is beyond a simple repair and even the non-mechanical can make but we need some pictures to properly assess the situation. You can convert to propane, but why? ( I understand why you're asking the question) With a little big of tutoring from the group here I'm pretty sure you can learn to care for your stove and use it in the manner it was designed to be used.
Thanks Bill, good to hear the encouragement. I'll get some photos tomorrow. The stove is old but in good condition and I don't think it was used that much when I bought it. Just a disappointment when I unscrewed the copper-like cylinder that holds the pump spring assembly. But hope to be cranking out some hot grits soon.
The last time in operation: Ten Mile River BSA Scout Reservation, Summer 1987. Pump spring is damaged and leather on the pump gas fallen apart and is in pieces.
Never seen one with that much of a spring, at any rate it would work fine even without a spring. The pump cup is probably gonna be the same as a Coleman, you can get pump cups and ebay or Old Coleman Parts. Almost certainly the gasket tween the pump and the font will be old and hard, you can make one or use an o-ring. Once you get new leather, pump it up good and spray around pump with soapy water and see if it bubbles, if so it needs new gasket.
Thanks Majorwrench, There was Coleman fuel this morning on the leather pump cup and inside the copper sleeve so my guess is that the o-ring you mentioned is probably worn out, unless the fuel entered through the spray end? I'll get started on that, and once I get a new leather cup I'll shave it a bit since it didn't cup
Sorry, I pressed the wrong key on my phone. The spring used to stay out about 2" inches from the cap when I first purchased it. As far as the generator, I guess I'll hope for the best. Thanks all & best regards
Majorwrench, if you decide to replace the leather cup on your non-Coleman stove with a Coleman leather cup that is just slightly larger how would you get the pump to work properly?
If there is fuel in the pump, it is coming from the "spay end" which is the NRV (non return valve) there is a spring and a little piece of rubber? (generally called a pip) material to make a seal. The pip will be too hard. Easy to take apart, the pip can be replaced w a tiny piece of leather, or an Oring section cut off very square! w a razor blade. Methinks that big spring is not correct. You can make pump cups fairly easily, get a piece of scrap leather, cut a round disc, cut a hole in center, soak in water overnight, force it, with a small socket for a center, into the pump tube let it dry a couple days, trim, and oil well. Could also trim a coleman one, you may have to soak it so that it forms into the smaller tube. If would like a pump cup let me know and I will make one up for you. Or you could send me the whole mess. Or you can enjoy the fettling, and we look forward to the flame shot of it cooking again.
^^^ “The spring is used to ensure that the air pump rod stays in the air pump pipe, which is not the reason that affects the work of the air pump. What should be done is to replace the air pumping leather bowl, which can be made by leather.”
