Hi all, I’m new to this forum and have been caught by the “stove virus” by digging up a Coleman 520 in Nijmegen with my metal detector. The 82nd Airborne troops rarely used this stove, but a battlefield find is always evidence. Recently I purchased this beauty of a Coleman 520 from 1943, and in addition I also bought some of the most needed spare parts via oldcolemanparts.com (tube, burner parts, rings, leather etc.). This stove is very greasy and the tank + stove box are full of old gasoline. I’ll give a time to time update how the cleaning process will go. I also might share some questions if things are getting a bit difficult! First of my questions is if any of you has experience with preserving the instructions decal. It appears to be flaky when touched! Kind regards, Bart
That's quite the provenance. A GI stove from Operation Market Garden. Was it inside an F-Can? Full of gas and greasy, you say? The gasoline may have turned to sludge by now, or if it's pure Coleman naptha, might still be viable. You'll just have to test burn a little. Greasy from Cosmoline? or greasy from bacon grease? Them parrotroofers were fond of Bacon Sandwiches.
I highly doubt that the stove on the pictures is the one you dug up from around Nijmegen Die you get this from Marktplaats? Ik cannot tell you much about this particular stove, since I dont own one. By the looks of it this one should be working again once you have the parts. As for the grease, can't help you there I'm afraid.
The odds of Coleman brand fuel or Naptha are pretty low. Maybe, but that’s not the way to bet. If the fuel is obviously spoiled, has varnish or paint like odor then that is characteristic of automotive gasoline, which will oxidize & decompose over time. It will need a thorough cleaning if that’s the case.
The Coleman from the picture is purchased as described above, the relic was in such a terrible shape (metal tank was rusted so much it crumbled apart) that I left it in the place where I found it. The Coleman in the picture is greasy from old gasoline. Unfortunately it damaged the decal and some of the rubber parts are gone. It is what it is after more than 80 years. @ajvuik: i bought it from a dealer in Spanje !
@BdB020 With very delicate decals that are in danger of flaking off and being lost forever, I have applied a clear matt lacquer protective coating to them. Pharael.
I was going to suggest a clear-coat finish would be helpful. Option two: A quick Goolag search indicates Old Coleman Parts supplies reproduction 520 decals for $4.60
I have a couple of these. They come apart easy enough. I dont mind old gas in the stove, just take the stove apart completely and rinse out the old fuel. I start with something to cut the old fuel and shake them like a martini....then go to white gas and with small steel nuts and bolts that are magnetic to shake around inside to clean up the tanks. Rinse with clean fuel until its clean (use a bottle with a long tube to suck the fuel out. Very hard to get all the fuel out and any rust sediment. I use this. Fuel safe Amazon.com: EISCO Wash Bottle, 1000ml - Polyethylene - Translucent, Unbreakable - Screw Cap with Flexible Delivery Tube for Dispensing Liquid - Includes Tube Cap : Industrial & Scientific
Thanks a lot for the replies. I appreciate it a lot. Meanwhile I preserved the original decal by applying a clear (matte) lacquer. The decal is solidly applied again! I started to dissemble the stove. I just found out that the old check valve is stuck. I tried a motor cleaner and oil to get that thing out with a screwdriver. It seems that is doesn’t have any plans to get out of its place. The check valve doesn’t work, so that’s the reason I have to bring in some bigger tools and find a new check valve. has any of you experience removing this part of the stove? Is a screw extractor a good option? And does anyone might have a leftover check valve?
