Hi All, I have been working on an Optimus 8r and got it running pretty good. Thanks to all who helped me out, big thanks to Tony in particular. I was curious to the bell and box it came with though. Unlike my other 8r's, the bell on this one looks like that of a Svea 123r, it has no neck to it at all. In addition, there is no clamp on the box where the fuel line and bell go into when closing the box. I was wondering if Optimus ever made anything like this or perhaps the previous owner got a little creative. I've attached a couple of pics so you can see what i am talking about. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Aaron, The 8R flame looks good. Remember, Optimus bought out Svea. Optimus made the 123R but kept the well known Svea name. It made sense in manufacturing to have some burner parts interchangeable between the 8R and 123R. It simplified production to use the same burner bells, flame plates, jets, cleaning needles, spindles, keys etc. between the two models. Sounds like your other 8R's are a little different. There were some changes to the model over the years. Earlier 8R's had an embossed case, some had a bracket the burner fit into when closing the case, some had control rods with a knob instead of the key. I don't think a previous owner switched parts around.
Agree, everthing you have there is consistent with it being all Optimus. I bought my first 8R new back in the mid 70's and it looks like yours (or it used to).
you have a really nice stove. looks all original as far as i can tell, i'm no expert. glad you got it going. i have one of the older embossed case models with spindle knob instead of key. the case is pretty rough but the stove still works just fine.
Hi Aaron, I am pretty sure your 8r is fitted with a Svea/Primus burner bell. My 8r bought in 1960 has a burner bell with a short threaded spigot 1/8" long to screw onto the burner.The tray inside has a bracket with a open hole to locate the burner, when closed, a spindle control knob, & the lid is embossed Optimus 8r made in sweden. I bought the stove new in 1960 in UK. I hope this info can help you to date your stove, which is a good work in progress.Best regards Optimust. Sorry Aaron I forgot to say there is a clip inside the lid for the double ended key. Best again Optimust.
