The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum

Cranko · Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 4:55 am Post subject:

Very nice engine SG, you'll enjoy restoring it

Stilldrillin · Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 6:10 am Post subject:

Oooh. That`s got great potential!

Good luck with it.... Enjoy!

_________________
David.
All those days which have come and gone......
I didn`t know that was life!

Chris · Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 6:42 am Post subject:

Graham-Jilly · Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 7:05 am Post subject:

a full restore is the order of the day for this one and we are sure its in the right hands to do a grand job
looking forward to the results

_________________

http://www.freewebs.com/aclr

Sandman · Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 8:15 am Post subject:

It will look a treat when finished SG.

It will need a full resto , and the firebox will straighten out without a problem.

These engines really look great when they are restored and I can't think of anyone more suited to the job.

I'm looking forward to seeing this one finished.

_________________
Ouch! Where's the burn cream

Did someone mention Bowman?

tmuir · Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 8:15 am Post subject:

Certainly the firebox and the engine mount needs repainting and I'm guessing the base will probably need it too. I guess once you get it apart and clean it you can decide whether to paint the base.
Be careful with the firebox as being made of aluminium they are easy to dent.

But with a bit of effort that should come up lovely.
_________________
http://www.freewebs.com/ozsteam/index.htm
http://members.iinet.net.au/~tmuir1/

A nice example of an Australian made Scorpion Donkey Engine

MooseMan · Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 9:07 am Post subject:

Basically what you have there is a marvellously complete 203.....the burner is so often lost! It also looks structurally very sound. Apart from the somewhat thin firebox, they are VERY well built engines, and they run like the devil!

I think a full cleanup and restore is in order, but I think it would be worth your while trying to preserve the decal.

The paint on the underside of your base seems to have darkened a little, but the nearest thing to the right colour is sold as Ford Highland Green. The engine support and flywheel centre should be a dark red, and the firebox is crackle finish black.

A fantastic find, and a very worthy addition to your collection....you'll love that one!

_________________
Stands the glass half empty,
Or stands the glass half full?
Blast your Buddhist mantra, man,
I'll take another pull.

steamgranny · Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 2:05 pm Post subject:

Thanks for all the tips & encouragements. Apart from dismantling, I suspect repaint/rebuild will be put off until after a visit to UK, especially to acquire such items as 'Ford Highland Green' paint & other vital steam requisites

Will certainly do my utmost to retain decal & not sure I can reproduce the crackle finish firebox but will cogitate all of this & consult everything I can find on subject before proceeding. Therefore, don't expect any triumphant first-steaming videos just yet

tmuir · Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 2:48 pm Post subject:

steamgranny · Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 12:58 am Post subject:

The PW203 is now in bits. All the brass work is fine, although there was brief alarm when I found 2 nasty corrosion spots on boiler cap but they wire-wooled off, leaving sound brass underneath.
I don't seem to have a crackle finish firebox & this one was gloss black:

But the lazy so & so's didn't paint the inside

The aluminum is so soft I can bend it with fingers.

And this is the base after gentle, wash off & don't think we can leave that 'as is', can we?

Those rivets appear different too.........

tmuir · Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 2:58 am Post subject:

No the base will need repainting if it is to survive another 60 years.

_________________
http://www.freewebs.com/ozsteam/index.htm
http://members.iinet.net.au/~tmuir1/

A nice example of an Australian made Scorpion Donkey Engine

Sandman · Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 7:47 am Post subject:

Yep, defo a full base resto there.

A little tip. When painting the base to keep the rivets clear, mask them by popping a small screw through them.

I found the ones used for securing computer motherboards were perfect.

_________________
Ouch! Where's the burn cream

Did someone mention Bowman?

tmuir · Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 9:15 am Post subject:

Cranko · Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 10:14 am Post subject:

Blue tac it is in Kiwi land as well

steamgranny · Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 1:34 am Post subject:

Revived this old thread so you can refer to 'before' pics at beginning & bet most had forgotten about this one, it's been so long

True, I had to make a round trip to UK for paint

Tried to preserve logo but gave up & also removed rivets because base really needed an extremely thorough rub down. Hoped to be presenting it earlier but discovered a seriously blocked steam pipe that no amount of hot vinegar baths or more serious stuff would unblock, so had to change it.
Finally, the Luton Bowman PW203

:

First test run today, although it's burner got water-logged & had to use another. A few leaks & other minor stuff to be dealt with but essentially it runs