How to Rebuild a Coleman 500 or 502 Single Burner Stove: Part Three, Reassembly

Part 3 of 3, reassembly of the stoves. Former Coleman Factory Warranty Center owner Frank Bebb gives step-by-step instructions to rebuild a Coleman single burner stove. Trained at the Coleman Factory in Wichita, Kansas, he brings what he learned at "Coleman School" to you in this teaching video.
The video is in three parts and roughly follows the written instructions that can be found at: www.oldtowncoleman.com/learn/...
Coleman Factory Warranty Center graduate Frank Bebb gives step-by-step instructions to rebuild or refurbish Coleman gas pressure appliances. Trained at the Coleman Factory in Wichita, Kansas, he brings what he has learned at "Coleman School" to you in his teaching videos. A long-time collector, former owner of the #1 selling Coleman parts dealership in the world, former owner of the Coleman Warranty Center and The Old Town Coleman Museum in Yucca Valley, California, and current owner/webmaster of The Old Town Coleman Center, Frank has authored much of the Coleman repair instructions you will find on the web today. His "Safety First" instructions with the ominous black widow spider, a real-life warning read by thousands, along with his other written works can be found on his website.
Frank is now your host on the Old Town Coleman Video series, follow him for all the tips and tricks of the trade he has learned along the way.
For additional guidance, original manuals in PDF format, Parts illustrations, photos, the “Spit and Whittle Club”, valuable links, and so much more, go to:
www.oldtowncoleman.com/
Keep ‘em Burnin’!! 🔥
😎Looking for gear, find it here! We have more than just t-shirts, check out our wall art and stickers!
old-town-coleman.creator-spri...
More Old Town Coleman on the web…
Link to the OTC Facebook Page: / oldtowncoleman
OTC on Instagram: / oldtowncoleman
OTC on Pinterest: / oldtowncoleman
Royalty Free Music: Bensound.com/royalty-free-music

[@davidmills1639]

I am glad I found your website and KZbin channel. I have my Dad's 1963, 502 stove that I am going to rebuild and use. This little stove accompanied us on many backpack trips in the Sierra's. Its in pretty rough shape, as it has been in storage for over 30 years, with some very smelly and rusty fuel still in the fount. Thank you for the videos, and the tip about patience.

[@kimwarfield1587]

I don't have an Coleman lantern but I like watching you work. These are skills being lost to the new generations. Keep making these awesome videos.

[@OldTownColeman]

Thank you Kim I appreciate that.

[@sosayweall7290]

There's a warm patience to the videos that I enjoy, Frank shows a clear love for the product and passing his knowledge on. These burners are now good to go, and may provide many years of further use for someone without having to buy something new for more money.

[@TheReal1953]

Excellent three-part tutorial Frank, as usual. I don't have these models but always enjoy your work/knowledge!

[@OldTownColeman]

Many thanks!

[@karolstruck9822]

I want to thank you very much for doing these videos they are a tremendous help in keeping these little gas Burning Lights and stoves running. Also as we all get up in age I hope you have someone that will take over and continue your work. On a personal note I know if your ring is loose on your finger I hate to see you lose it. One of the things I did when I lost weight and it became loose on my hand as well as I took some string and wrapped it around the ring in and out until it basically made it smaller. This does work tremendously well and keeps it from coming off your hand accidentally. I was once by a pond and pointed to Something in the pond to have my ring come off my hand. Many hours later after going home to get my school equipment and coming back and took me 45 minutes to find my ring. Thank you for your good work and knowledge.

[@Dominic.Minischetti]

Brother, I watch all your disassembly and rebuild videos so many times until I can do it with my eyes closed! 😂😂😂 Thanks for the wonderful, detailed and most excellent videos! I really appreciate it!

[@JerkRice]

This video is excellent. It is so nice to have these videos as a resource.

[@OldTownColeman]

Thank you!

[@hh-vq3cz]

Hello Frank, thank you for your informative videos. I have a Coleman 500 single burner in a very good condition. There is a problem with the flame when I start it, everything is good except the flame is not fully continually stable when it heated up in a specific rotation range of the valve, the flame is going to be yellow in an specific rotation of the main valve at the same time I get "fiss, fiss instable noise" and when I turn the valve a little more or less out of this specific range, the flame is going to be normal blue and at the same time the sound I hear is not stable also. So, it means at the specific rotation of the main valve, it is not stable but for the rest of the turning no matter below or above this rotation range, it is stable and I get normal blue flame. Having said that, sometimes, I get more than enough fuel in the burner when I open up the valve when I want to start it first. Thank you guide me how to fix this instability for this vintage stove.

[@76IHscoutman]

An excellent video series, this was truly a pleasure to watch.

[@fatkorn]

Your camera [guy] did a really good job, like a pro, could get a job on one them PBS shows.

[@jefgraham4686]

Thank you Frank ,JEF from Aussie land here just finished restoring my 502 but only because. Of your excellent presentation , and your sharing of knowledge...if you lived in Oz I'd shout you a beer or three .

[@teridacktaljones4553]

Thanks for the informative videos that you do Mr Frank.

[@OldTownColeman]

Always, my pleasure!

[@kentuckyhiker7071]

Thank you very much for these videos!! I collect and restore the old Coleman stuff, and your vids are invaluable!! Thank you again!!!

[@Enjoymentboy]

Another great series. they looked great after the rebuild. There is just something incredibly pleasing about the sound of a coleman pressure stove. Propane doesn't sound the same though. But the sound of these stoves running is just very calming and soothing.

[@OldTownColeman]

It is. They sound awesome in the shop, but they sound so much better in the field when in real-world use.

[@eagleviewhd]

I am cleaning my 502 now. I could not get it working, so I found your videos and disassembled it and am soaking parts in Vinegar now. I will update after I put it back together.

[@brianphaneuf6875]

Hi Frank. You will probably never quite realize how valuable your videos are...I just picked up a 1978 Model 505A (Canadian) single burner stove, and am looking forward to performing a complete rebuild. Without your hints and techniques, I wouldn't even try. Many thanks and keep the hits coming.

[@alantownsend5468]

Just finished mine this evening. Thank you so much for the how-to!

[@MrRdmiller]

Thank you. Very informative 👍🏻

[@viipsrvs1]

Another great three part instructional video! Thanks again Frank! Eduardo

[@OldTownColeman]

My pleasure Eduardo and thank you!

[@bevinmodrak4997]

Great info, I just got a 508 and a 533 and this will be super helpful.

[@luthiermatt]

I have 2 502 stoves. I have tweeked them but they could work better. This is a great guide for working on these units. Nice work.

[@johnnyk6481]

Great series Frank. Really enjoy your videos and have used them several times during a rebuild when I got stuck or needed a visual on next steps. Invaluable resource to intermediates like myself. Thanks again , keep em burnin!

[@OldTownColeman]

Thanks Johnny, I appreciate that. Indeed, keep 'em burnin!

[@Darryl792]

Great video Frank.. I am on the hunt for one of these stoves now. There doesn't seem to be many of them around my area. Keep up the good work.

[@OldTownColeman]

Thank you, and best of luck in your stove search. You'll find it soon.

[@Krankie_V]

I got that bug too, as soon as I learned of the 502 stove I had to have one!

[@cesardeb1]

I don't have the coloman model but I have a Chinese model it's a very good copy almost identical and it works pretty nice

[@ruggedsons2157]

Hey man, I just got a 502, and found that there is fuel spewing from around the regulator valve, tried tightening it, no luck, I didn’t see any sort of packing in there, I figured if anyone knew it would be you.

[@freemansoutdooradventures3152]

Hi I would love to see you do a Coleman 425E stove or similar one ..love the channel great videos

[@OldTownColeman]

As soon as I can get the shop above 50 degrees, a "suitcase" stove rebuild series is next. I gotta be nice to that camera lady and she doesn't like it too cold.

[@bianchipeddler4498]

I have cleaned my 502 following your directions. It is holding pressure, but it will not ignite. Any suggestions? Before I cleaned it, it came on but the flame was so low, it could barely boil water. Thank you, love all the videos.

[@jamesconn1104]

I enjoy the videos , very helpful Thanks . I just got a 502 it seems to burn more Yellow flame than a blue flame , just curious to what maybe wrong . it burned 6to 8 minutes & never got any better .Thanks for any advice on it , i am a newbie, fresh fuel too

[@Krankie_V]

Great job as always! Since the 502 generators have been discontinued, they are selling for a premium on ebay. Old Coleman Parts is now selling handmade reproduction generators for the 502 stove. I purchased one and put it in my stove. It's functional and pretty well made. However I don't think it simmers all that great. I've just ordered a new old stock Coleman generator for the stove and I'm going to make a comparison once it arrives. It'll be interesting to see the difference. The reproduction generator did at least get my stove working so in that respect it's great. It may not be perfect, but it does work.

[@OldTownColeman]

Awesome, let me know how it goes please. I have heard the same issue with their repro Q99 generators. I may need to buy one of the OCP generators myself...

[@stevenshanofski6801]

I also tried their repro q99 on a 427 and it did not work well at all. Ordered an nos one on eBay and it worked perfectly.

[@Krankie_V]

@@stevenshanofski6801 I've also had trouble with NOS generators because they have gotten beaten up over time

[@surferbum65]

I have a 502 and have soaked it with penetrating oil but cannot get the burner to come loose would heat be my next option? Thanks again for another informative video as always.

[@OldTownColeman]

You can use heat but you might damage your paint job, plus you need to remove all the gas in the tank and replace it with water. I have literally had to soak that dumb thing for 3 days before it broke free using penetrating fluid. It can be a real nasty connection.

[@NoelBarlau]

Is there supposed to be an o-ring or gasket between the check valve and the fount body on a 502? I'm finding it leaks unless there's an o-ring installed. The check valve has obviously been abused during its life, and shows signs of this abuse with rounded-over corners in the screwdriver slot. I ordered a new one, but I thought I'd ask the pro. I also looked at the parts schematic but didn't notice a gasket there, so I'm assuming it's a soft metal-to-metal seal between the copper face on the check valve and the fount metal.

[@highway7562]

☝

[@MrRdmiller]

Is it normal for the 502 fount to be too hot to touch during use?

[@richardbreithaupt2518]

I have a502i bought on ebay it looks like it had been. Rebuild or store displays. When I got it I put new Colman fuel. In it I am getting yellow flame so I took the genater off found it to be clen took the bunner a part and push air throw found no blockage check valve fuel cap holds air I still get a Yellow flam I am at a loss on why

[@jonnydongle1588]

I know this is an old video but I just received a model 508 stove and it holds pressure and lights easily enough but after following the rest of the lighting instructions pumping and waiting for the generator to heat up even after several minutes of heating the stove refused to burn clean the best I can get was a very sooty yellow flame any possible Suggestions of what’s wrong/where to start

[@joenunuk]

Why would it burn on the outside where the generator goes in

[@brianfrazer6048]

First I want to say I love your videos, and I love Coleman. Quick question. If fuel is spraying out the side of the bunson. Does that mean the generator is clogged .

[@OldTownColeman]

No sir, it does not. If you have fuel spraying out anywhere, you have a problem. Please email me at [e-mail] and we'll fix it.

[@juanmacarava4240]

Hello, i am writing from Argentina and i have a 533 , that i bought used; i changed the generator for a new one, i cleaned it and i even cleaned the tank whith vinegar for 1 week. I tried to turn it on and it was pumped 30 times;this stove begins to revalide the gasoline due to the screw that adjusts the burner to the body of the stove, but it does't start. The uel reaches the stopcock well, but i can't get it to start. Could you please tell me what i can do ?

[@nguyennam-dz2fo]

Hi old man, im from south Vietnam Why does my 502 stove spray fuel drops instead of fuel vapor, and sometimes they burn a golden flame oitside the pipeline, I'm afraid of that I have to wait 7-10 minutes to get the blue flame Pls help me 🙇🏻 Thanks old man God bless u 💓

[@hemidart7]

Whats the best single burner?

[@markjohnson6148]

Hi Frank, I have some lanterns model 220. I have two issues: 1. When I see you light your lanterns, there is very little flame up at the beginning. When I start my lanterns, the lantern drips fuel down the outside of the carburetor tube and I need to allow only a little fuel to come out, turn it off, light it and then turn it on and control small amounts of fuel to come out until the carburetor heats up enough to vaporize the fuel. 1a. Is this normal? 1b. Do I need to replace the top of the carburetor with a new pinhole piece? 1c. Can you provide a link to this part? 2. Some of my lanterns are MUCH dimmer than others. 2a. What causes this variation? 2b. What can I do to fix this problem. 2c. Is it caused by fuel flow restriction or an airflow restriction or maybe both? Thank you for all you do to support us. Your videos are excellent. Mark

[@rottenrottie1515]

My 502 fuel filler cap screw bottoms out on the insert before it touch the top of the cap. Is that normal ?

[@hemidart7]

No....replace the washer, or put one in if its missing

[@HighSierraBob]

What kind of fuel should I use in the 502 stove?

[@hemidart7]

White gas

[@Smitty_0313]

I recently inherited a 1/70 Coleman 502 from my grandpa. It's actually my first coleman product. I'm currently in the process of refurbishing it. I removed the packing on the gas shut-off valve. Do you know what size packing you replaced? Is it 1/4 ID?

[@OldTownColeman]

Yes, it is 1/4 ID, part number is 188D6201. Good luck with your grandpa's stove!

[@Smitty_0313]

@@OldTownColeman Thank you!

[@konstantinivanov1986]

I'm sorry to bother that is completely irrelevant but can't find any info. Is the dome on a coleman 513 catalytic heater asbestos. Thank you for everything you do.

[@OldTownColeman]

Yes sir I believe it is.

[@chrismartin1385]

Hi - I’m in Aus and have a big problem with my Coleman 428 three burner stove- it’s a bit dangerous as it floods when I try to light it - dumping fuel into the case and starting a big fire- it was working fine until a week ago - I’ve watched KZbin videos and completely stripped the stove and cleaned everything but no good- I almost burned my house down tonight with it - any ideas?

[@hemidart7]

O rings maybe

[@juanmacarava4240]

Hola . Le escribo desde Argentina y tengo una 533 que compré usada; le cambie el generador x uno nuevo, la limpié y aun le limpie el deposito y lo deje en vinagre 1semana. Recien intenté encenderla pero no funciona.se le dieron 30 bombeos . Esta estufa comienza a tirar combustible por el tornillo que ajusta la hornalla al cuerpo de la estufa. Pero no enciende. El combustible llega a la tuerca al abrir la llave de paso pero no consigo que encienda.¿ podria ud guiarme si fuese tan amable x favor? Desde ya gracias.saludos desde Bariloche.Arg.

[@juanmacarava4240]

Hello. Please, i need your help for my problem whith the 533.tank you.

[@brookeslosser8484]

how do you rebuild a 500 made in 1962

[@jamesalsup9135]

Have you ever rebuilt a Coleman 222?

[@OldTownColeman]

I have one in the shop that I received without a generator. I will be tearing it apart... And buying a 226 generator....

[@user-ji9od1zv2n]

Why today stoves has not have flame control, 533, 442 ) and the stoves 80 years ago was with flame control? Why? Is thear any answer? (sory for my English) Why today 533 hasn't flame control? I cant cooking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! at all!!!!!!!!!!!! Please answer.