Coleman 502

Hickory n steel

Hickory n steel

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My dad just let me have his old 1974 Coleman 502-700 with optional case and original paperwork, after I showed some interest in it and cleaned it up ( it's in very good condition by the way )
Anyway other than just discussing them in general, I'm looking for any information that someone who finds one might need to know.
There doesn't seem to be any varnished fuel in it and it pumps and flows air just fine.
Are there any other things to look out for ?
I plan to get some fuel this weeken and give it a try ( I would like to use it to cook my lunch this summer so I don't have to heat the house up )
Did these things come with a funnel or was that optional ?

My dad actually found it in an abandoned house down the street over 20 yrs ago, and had given it to my grandpa but I don't know if he ever really used it so that may explain why it's in such good shape.
 
Until you try to fire it up (a few times if it fires right up) there really isn't much to say. Be prepared to replace gaskets.
 
I just looked up the Coleman 502 as I never heard of it before. That's one of the most unusual stoves I've ever seen.
 
Charlie_K said:
I just looked up the Coleman 502 as I never heard of it before. That's one of the most unusual stoves I've ever seen.
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FYI it may not be as useful as you're probably thinking as the 502-700 isn't a multi fuel stove and only works with white gas.

Anyway like I said if i get the fuel and it does work like I'm sure it will, I plan on making my grilled cheese sandwiches on it this summer.
 
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The second picture doesn't really do it justice, but it couldn't have been used more than 5-6 times.
I don't really even think the cookset has been cooked in, just all scuffed up from having the stove in and out.

The crazy part is that I've seen people on ( you know where ) trying to get anywhere from 30$-150$ for ones in similar or worse condition that didn't even have the cookset.
I don't even think that a nos one in the box would be worth much more than this one is because it's light use is just as good as new and it has the added bonus of the pot.

It's pretty crazy what people will try to sell stuff for.
 
They aren't an uncommon stove. Replaced by the 508 like mine (another common stove). What some people ask for these stoves and what they actually get are often two very different things. It's your case/pot that would make yours desirable.
 
leghog said:
They aren't an uncommon stove. Replaced by the 508 like mine (another common stove). What some people ask for these stoves and what they actually get are often two very different things. It's your case/pot that would make yours desirable.
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I know, people will list anything as rare either because they don't know crap , to get more money, or just because they think that anything old that still works must be a rare occurrence.
Almost every one I saw had the original box and paperwork ( I would've also stored it in the box )
I wish mine was the dual fuel model, but as I understand using gas requires the stove to need more frequent cleaning so I guess I'm better off
 
Hickory n steel said:
I know, people will list anything as rare either because they don't know crap , to get more money, or just because they think that anything old that still works must be a rare occurrence.
Almost every one I saw had the original box and paperwork ( I would've also stored it in the box )
I wish mine was the dual fuel model, but as I understand using gas requires the stove to need more frequent cleaning so I guess I'm better off
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Cleaning ain't that big of a deal. Regardless, you'd only use an alternative fuel where white gas isn't available. Not an issue in the USA. My 508 is ~30 years old and well used. Have yet to need to clean it. Have you fired yours up yet?
 
leghog said:
Cleaning ain't that big of a deal. Regardless, you'd only use an alternative fuel where white gas isn't available. Not an issue in the USA. My 508 is ~30 years old and well used. Have yet to need to clean it. Have you fired yours up yet?
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Not yet, but I'm going shopping on Sunday ( I live in a Podunk town surrounded by orchards )
And am gonna buy some fuel then.
About 2 years ago we cleaned out the garage so we could have a new garage door installed, and I was able to start it right up with what little bit of fuel was left in it.

There was still a few drops left in it which I shook out, then burned the residual fumes off with a lighter. ( I hope that wasn't a bad thing )
 
So do you bleed off any air when your done using it ?
( I may use mine often so storage isn't really an issue )
 
Hickory n steel said:
So do you bleed off any air when your done using it ?
( I may use mine often so storage isn't really an issue )
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The pressure? Yes, I do. After it cools. I do so by loosening the fount cap vs. the pump plunger.

Coleman%2520508%2520from%25201985.JPG
 
leghog said:
The pressure? Yes, I do. After it cools. I do so by loosening the fount cap vs. the pump plunger.

Coleman%2520508%2520from%25201985.JPG
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So, any advantages to the 508 vs 502 ?
I'm on my way to go shopping right now, and if my Walmart has the fuel in let you know how it goes.
 
I just lit it up and the flame wants to star partly orange.
Do you have any ideas ?
Do you think it might have a long bit of varnished fuel in it somewhere ?
 
Orange flame when first lit is okay. Once the generator gets hot, it should vaporize the fuel and the flame should become blue. Might take up to a minute or so. Longer when cold outside. Shorter when moderate or hot outside.

Run it lean until it gets hot enough. Yellow flame that just won't turn blue and short and steady means either (1) the generator isn't hot enough, (2) the tank is over filled (don't fill the tank to capacity, needs space to pressurize), (3) the generator needs cleaning, or (4) the generator has failed. If the orange flame lust wont settle and turn blue, I'd suggest trouble shooting in the order (1-4) of the causes of failure I listed.
 
Now it starts off blue right away and then turns half orange shortly after, so since it actually can turn blue would you think that it may just need to be cleaned ?
 
Is the tank full. Can't fill the tank completely and expect the stove to work properly. You'll just flood the stove. Ensure the maximum fuel level is below the bottom of the filler neck. It that is correct, the stove may not be holding pressure.

For a pressure test, first check the pump gasket. At the end of the plunger is a compression cup. Wash it and lube it (leather oil if leather cup, mineral oil if neoprene cup). If the compression cup is cut or mangled, you'll need to replace it to seal the pressure. After you reassemble, make a soap solution, pressurize the fount and paint the filler cap, the hole in the twisted closed pump plunger, and the brass fitting coming out of the fount with the soap solution and look for pressure leaks.

If the pressure check is fine, I'd first clean the generator. If that doesn't correct it, I'd then replace the generator.
 
leghog said:
Is the tank full. Can't fill the tank completely and expect the stove to work properly. You'll just flood the stove. Ensure the maximum fuel level is below the bottom of the filler neck. It that is correct, the stove may not be holding pressure.

For a pressure test, first check the pump gasket. At the end of the plunger is a compression cup. Wash it and lube it (leather oil if leather cup, mineral oil if neoprene cup). If the compression cup is cut or mangled, you'll need to replace it to seal the pressure. After you reassemble, make a soap solution, pressurize the fount and paint the filler cap, the hole in the twisted closed pump plunger, and the brass fitting coming out of the fount with the soap solution and look for pressure leaks.

If the pressure check is fine, I'd first clean the generator. If that doesn't correct it, I'd then replace the generator.
Click to expand...

OK thanks I'll try that.
 
Hickory n steel said:
FYI it may not be as useful as you're probably thinking as the 502-700 isn't a multi fuel stove and only works with white gas.

Anyway like I said if i get the fuel and it does work like I'm sure it will, I plan on making my grilled cheese sandwiches on it this summer.
Click to expand...

No Coleman fuel?
 
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