Model B Stove Back and T-Well damper issue...

[taheckler]

Someone wrote me an e-mail about a possible solution to the problem I'm having with the t-well damper hitting the back of my stove when I turn the knob on. Only now that I'm looking for it, I can't find the e-mail (doh!!)

I am thinking that the e-mail came from someone on this board. If so, can you please contact me again? The solution that was offered is that I may have put a bracket on improperly. Since a friend with a Model B sent me pictures and dimensions of his back, it looks like I have the right back on. So maybe it is the bracket (although I can't figure out what bracket he was referring to - that's why I need to hear from him again!!) Otherwise I'll just have to pull things apart again (sigh) and see if I can figure it out. I would love to do that tonight, but the Husband is making me go to the show with him instead. He hasn't been "assimilated" yet, so he still thinks going out is funner than doing stove stuff!

t.

[Joe Pieweed]

Tura:

You've got the B with a C back, right? I emailed you a week or so ago after comparing my working B with the C I'm restoring.

The B back sticks almost 1-3/4" more than the C back, which seems to be the reason that your exhaust valve will not open. Both backs are perfectly flat - there is no extra space that bulges out on the B just for the Thermowell valve.

It seems that you will have to find a B back to take care of the problem, or simply (hah!) further retrofit your stove by replacing the B Thermowell with a C version. Then you will be in Pie and Ice Cream making heaven.

Good luck!

Joe

[taheckler]

Hi Joe. Thanks for your response. I am hoping to keep the Thermowell I have in my stove as it's a nice one and I like it. I measured the back I have - it only sticks out 5/8". It seems identical to the B backs, otherwise. I guess that's why I was sure it was a B. I know a fellow with a B back for sale - if his has the needed clearance, then I'll be set. Boy, I sure am tired of rebuilding this stove - I'd much rather be using it!

<font color="#FFFFFF" size="1">[ December 11, 2005 01:22 AM: Message edited by: Tura Heckler ]</font>

[Joe Pieweed]

Tura:

Re: your info " I measured the back I have - it only sticks out 5/8"".

Verrrrrryyyyy interesting. Hmmmm.... What's going on there? Yeah, my B back sticks out about one-half inch. So, why is your valve not opening? Before you buy that other guy's B back, can't you just take off your B's back and see what the hangup is? Your're gonna have to take it off sooner or later...

Joe

[Joe Pieweed]

Oh, just to clarify:

The DIFFERENCE between how much the B back sticks out from the side panels compared to the model C I have is about 1-3/4". The model C's back is "sunk" in from the side panels a little over one inch.

Joe

[RobbiQuest]

Woo-hoo!!! I fixed my problem and I am SO HAPPY about it that I thought I would post what it was for future edification...

I took the back off my stove, and sat down with the manual today, just to tinker with it. After looking at the damper rod from both sides and every angle, it occurred to me that the rod seemed too long, that if it were shorter, the damper door wouldn't open as wide. Then I read in the manual that the rod is adjustable. So I took the pin out of the back part of the rod (that holds it to the damper arm) and turned the rod a bunch of times as the manual said that the rod would shorten because it was screwing itself into the part that holds the rod in place by the service door cabinet. Well, that worked!! It never occurred to me to do this because I don't recall having deliberately loosened it in the first place. So I guess it got loose while I was cleaning it (or something). Who knows? It works perfectly now, and the damper door stays firmly shut against the thermowell back now. It didn't before, but not having a perfect unit to know what it was SUPPOSED to be like, who woulda known?

So, once again, the Service Manual pays for itself. I can't understand how ANY owner wouldn't buy the manual for their stove. It's a life-saver.

And, to save Todd and Sam the trouble, yes you can buy a nicely reproduced manual from either of them! :-)

[Joe Pieweed]

Hey, way to go T..., er, RobbiQ.

As it often turns out, it's the simplest solution that works. Satisfying, eh?

Congratulations!

Joe

[RobbiQuest]

It's VERY satisfying. I'm especially glad because I was flat out of options. Once I found out I had the right back, and that the brackets were on right, I wasn't sure where else to go.

An acquaintance (former member of this 'Board) suggested I try a seance with Alma Chambers next. :-) But he's a sell-out to the Model C's (he had a B), so what does he know? (Aaron, if you're reading this, we hope you start posting again!!)

<font color="#FFFFFF" size="1">[ December 18, 2005 11:41 PM: Message edited by: RobbiQuest ]</font>