Fettling a very Crusty Optimus 8R, for a friend!

Discussion in 'Optimus No:8R' started by Doc Mark, Mar 17, 2019.

  1. Doc Mark

    Doc Mark SotM Winner Subscriber

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    Greetings, All,

    Not long ago, I found that that an old friend of mine, from the Living History community, had tried to fire up his 8R from the 1970's, and almost burned down his campsite!! I offered my services to look at his stove, and fettle as needed, and he sent it to me, straight away,

    When I got it, I was shocked that the case looked as if it had been in a war!! Burned to a crisp, outside and inside, I did not have high hopes for the poor little stove!

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    And, keep in mind, the above photos were taken AFTER I had washed the worst of the crust off of it! YIKES!

    Next up was to remove the burner, and dismantle all the other parts, for inspection, and cleaning.
    The wick was in very sad shape, and was, quite literally, falling apart! It was charred pretty good, too. So, I'm really glad I took the time to check it thoroughly!

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    Everything was in need of a good cleaning, for sure.

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    The fuel cap gasket, and also the SRV pip, were as hard concrete, and it took a while to slowly chip out the remnants of the gasket. The SRV pip was deeply indented, and as mentioned, exceedingly hard.

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    But, after a couple of cleanings, and a good soak in Citric acid, the parts began to look MUCH better! I had high hopes that this old 8R would soon be working as it should, again, and probably for the first time in decades!!

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    And, here she is, assembled, once again, and ready for testing! By the way, I was told to leave the case as it was, because "it had earned it's stripes"!! OK, by me..... it is not my stove!!! So, I did as the owner asked.

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    I wonder how she will respond to my fettling? Let's see, shall we??? A good prime, with Meths, and here's what I was blessed to receive:

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    Praise God, she works great!!! Thank you, Lord, for this success! I let her burn-in for a few minutes, then put an MSR Titan Kettle, half-filled with cold water, on the pot supports.

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    I did not time this, but very soon, the little 8R offered up a very nice, rolling boil!

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    The simmer is pretty good, but I want to much about with it, for a while, and see if I can get it better.

    So, there you have it, friends. I was gratified, and thankful that my old friend's stove is now working as it should, and after I sent him the photos, he's exceedingly happy that he will soon have his stove back, and that it is not only safe to use, but will work nicely for a very long time, now!! I love it, when a plan comes together!! Thanks for checking it up, Stovies, and God Bless!

    Every Good Wish,
    Doc
     
  2. Marc

    Marc Subscriber

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    Well done, Doc! Textbook restoration. You're a wonderful person for taking care of your friend that way.

    I stabilized my 8R case with some high temperature clear coat. That may be something your friend would be interested in.
     
  3. Tony Press

    Tony Press Australia Subscriber

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    Excellent, Doc!

    :thumbup:

    Cheers

    Tony
     
  4. Four Smokes Wallup

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    Nicely done textbook 8R functional resurrection!:thumbup::thumbup:
     
  5. bem1965 Sweden

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    Excellent work @Doc Mark !

    A fully refurbished stove in a as found but clean case. I like it!

    Reminds me a bit of @presscall and this wonderful thread Rustbucket

    /Lars
     
  6. Harder D. Soerensen

    Harder D. Soerensen United States Subscriber

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    @Doc Mark
    Youre a good friend and a great fettler!
     
  7. HunterStovie

    HunterStovie United States Subscriber

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    @Doc Mark
    I'm lad you found time in your busy schedule to help your friend out.

    Mike
     
  8. redspeedster

    redspeedster United Kingdom Subscriber

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  9. Greenboy23

    Greenboy23 Subscriber

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    A top sympathetic fettle.


    Lee
     
  10. Mark Layman

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    Its amazing what these stoves can go through and still come out OK if the right techniques are used.
     
  11. goldwinger11

    goldwinger11 United States Subscriber

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    Very good flame. Very satisfying to have that result.
     
  12. Rangie

    Rangie Subscriber

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    Nice job there.

    I've used owatrol oil on a couple of cases to stabilise them, been very happy, its arrested the rust and has a low-sheen.

    Alec.
     
  13. Doc Mark

    Doc Mark SotM Winner Subscriber

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    Howdy, Gentlemen,

    Many thanks for all the very kind comments. All of them are much appreciated, and again, I thank each one of you for having made them!!

    Doing this stove for my friend, William, was an interesting project, in several ways. One was wanting to deal with the crappy case, but having been told to leave it as is. His stove, his choice, absolutely. The second was when I found a few of the parts frozen solid, and no amount of spraying them, using tools, cajoling, nor cursing, would make them come free. SO.... I made up my very first batch of a penetrating oil that many of you here at CCS swear by: 50/50 mix of Acetone and ATF. I applied it, carefully, using a small, brass tube, and did so for a week, or more. Then, I applied just a tad of heat, using, oddly enough, my MSR Pocket Rocket 2 stove. I was going to use my torch, but can't seem to locate it, down in the Hobbit Hole, even though I KNOW it is there!! SHEESH!!! In any case, the 50/50 mix, and heat, did finally allow me to remove the fuel cap SRV without blowing it to bits, as I once did before!! Last, I once again learned that PATIENCE is very, very important. I let the penetrating mix do it's job, and then used the heat, with a neat little SRV wrench that, I believe @loco7stove, Stu, made a while back, do the job, without damaging the fuel cap, which was a great feeling!!

    William's stove heads home in a few days, and I know he will be very happy with it! Though time is not our friend, most of the time, due to work, it was worth doing the distance to help someone I like and respect, very much, and whom I've known as a friend for decades! Thanks, again, Guys, and God Bless!

    Every Good Wish,
    Doc
     
  14. Robert Bruce

    Robert Bruce SotM Winner Subscriber

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    A good result Doc, your friend should be over the moon about it.
    Well done.

    Cheers
    Rob
     
  15. John brandon United Kingdom

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    Nice report - as a new member ( joined today ! ) is this a pressure stove ? Flame looks like it ? and if so where is the pump ? Also it has a wick so maybe it’s not pressurised ? Confused ? I’ve a lot to learn !
     
  16. Tony Press

    Tony Press Australia Subscriber

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    John

    Welcome.

    It is a pressure stove as the pre-heating of the gasoline, and subsequent heat of operation, creates enough heat for the stove to self-pressurise.

    Cheers

    Tony

    @John brandon
     
  17. snwcmpr

    snwcmpr SotM Winner Subscriber

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    @John brandon
    Welcome.

    The Optimus 8R is a stove in the class of Optimus 8/8R, Svea 123/123R, Primus 70/71, Radius 42, and others that increase pressure in the tank as the burner heats up and transfers that heat to the tank. Gasoline (Coleman Fuel) stoves will do that.
    A pump is an option, but usually only used when the ambient temperature is lower, like winter.

    Ken in NC
     
  18. John brandon United Kingdom

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    Thanks Guys, I googled it and now understand. Very clever these stoves. Looking forward to owning a few to play with.

    Cheers John.
     
  19. snwcmpr

    snwcmpr SotM Winner Subscriber

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    Google???
    I thought that you can learn everything here. :)
     
  20. Longilily

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    [-X :doh::lol: