So - in complete contrast to the Coleman 249 Flamethrower the other dump-lantern-find was a 242 B. I put some white gas in it and pumped it up, gave it a go! It's a quiet wee mouse, is this 'normal' operation, should I buy a globe and put a mantle on this one? It needs a new cap washer, and it's missing a small screw that holds (one of two) the pump collar thing.
Yes, they are good lanterns. Mine's a little beauty. And yes, I need some of those little screws too, as they are common to the 242, 249, and 500 stove. The gentleman at Classic Fasteners in Adelaide advised me that they are #4 x 36 tpi., an old U.S.A. size. Also used on model trains years ago. I did find them listed on the internet, but they were out of stock. If anyone finds a source, would they kindly let us know ? Thanks. Paul. Melbourne.
Many thanks. Very good. But I'll never use 100, only need half a dozen at the most. Conundrum ! Are there any members in Australia willing to share a packet ? Or can supply me with two only ? Thanks. Paul. Melbourne.
The flame is way too small. Is there decent pressure in the tank? Probably a blockage somewhere, maybe a bit of carbon deposit stuck in the jet.
Agree, get it going! I have a couple of 242's that run so quiet I think I'm going deaf at times! This should clean up nicely!
Thank you @James good to have that hunch validated. I think I’ll break this one down a little more. Updates to come.
Well, that was simple! The pricker is bent and not pricking, so cleaned the jet, ran carb cleaner through bits and bobs, and hello! A lantern. White gas is much nicer that kerosene isn't it... Also - this wee lantern goes nice and bright and white with a few pumps, and then after a while slows down and goes more yellow light - normal operation
G'day @Clive , no, it shouldn't dull down that quickly. These lanterns take a lot of pressure. As another member once said "pump until your thumb hurts ". If it's not pressure related then there is a leak somewhere. Probably the filler cap seal.
If you’re thinking the light output is better with Coleman Fuel (= Shellite), it shouldn’t be. Your 249 and your 242 should be putting out the same amount of light if all’s going well. If the mantles are different, you may be seeing different tones of light. Cheers Tony
It is looking very nice Clive. the pricker wire you can straighten, I lay it in a flat surface and use my thumb nail to smooth it out. others are clever with pliers. By the way being a 1947 it is the first of the Canadian nickel plated founts after WW2, it looks like it still has its aluminium air tubes, the older style pump boss and while the Globe is not the original it is the second best and very desirable. I think this particular configuration may be uncommon to the rest of the world. I have one but replaced the burner frame because the aluminiun air tubes were so corroded, I have found a correct frame in good condition and will fit it. I have never been that keen on 242's because of the cost of fuel in NZ. I have recently found a source in Auckland of a compatable fuel for close to the price of the cheapest kerosene available. I value my 30's and early 40's 242's but 1947 is probably the only later model that I would desire to own. Yours will restore well, treasure it. Geoff Kiwi
Thanks, Tony & Clive. I tried 3 big model shops today by phone - no joy. May have to take vernier & thread gauge and hunt through their boxes of loose screws, their time and patience permitting. Cheers.
"then after a while slows down and goes more yellow light" How long would you say before it goes yellow? Might be caused by a lack of pressure, maybe a leak somewhere or not enough pumping. Or perhaps the jet has become partially blocked. You really need a working cleaning needle with these lanterns. Otherwise I would say a bad fuel air mix. Check to make sure the inners of the burner are clean and there are no cobwebs or stuff that might obstruct the air flow. The generator may also be worn out so I would think about treating it to a new one as they are readily available.
Scored this one today. A 242 B from 12 - 55. (Smuggled it into the workshop). Funny thing - you have a lantern or two without globes, so you buy another lantern just to get the globe, so you have another lantern, so you swap globes around, but....trying to catch up just leads to multiplication, like a dog chasing its tail.
Here's a shot of the test fire, without the precious globe. Can't say how long since this one last ran; the pricker control and the control valve were frozen solid. The fount is not too crash hot, with the ravages of time. The pump cup was teased out with neatsfoot oil, the control valve gland I had to pack with graphite as it leaked badly. Still with the old mantle. She's a little beauty. Distance travelled to pick this one up was 24.7 kms, just within the 25 km limit now in force. Another one saved. The screws which secure the pump cap on this one are very small, tapered to a point, pan head, like P.K. self tappers. (Yes, there is one missing, will visit OCP). As distinct from the earlier machine screw #4 - 36 UNEF. Finally came the spring clip, still current.
Hey Paul got the pictures now........ nice find these 242s are one of my favourites especially the 242B. I reckon you’ll be able to clean her up well. Enjoy Pete
AussiePete She ran for about five hours tonight, before running out of fuel, and surprisingly, air pressure. I'll check it out tomorrow; hope I have the correct filler cap seal, as this one has what looks like a more recent filler cap with an air bleed screw. Don't know if that's original. The underside of the fount looks quite good, but sad to say there were rust particles inside. So this one stays outside, just in case. The plating on the fount is really in a very poor condition. This is my third 242, they are growing on me, but the fuel is so expensive.....
Accordingly, the 2 screws securing the pump cap should be sheet metal screws, not machine screws. In the older Coleman catalogs, it was stated as Screw-(sheet metal #2 x 3/16 type Z, Bd. Hd.). I'm not too familiar with the abbreviations but it might be size#2 x 3/16" length, type Z threading and binding head. Please correct me if I'm not.
MYN Thank you. Sounds right to me. They'll be in my next order to OCP. Meanwhile, would anyone local have a spare Coleman 3 piece filler cap please ? Cheers.
