Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

I got the SR1a steamroller in yesterday from my brother and started looking at all the bits that might be causing it to run slow.  What I found is that the firebox has two copper rivets under the water level plug on the backside.  These rivets actually go into the steam tank and are leaking under the water line.  Not sure how my brother overlooked this. 

At the backside, top, the two regular rivets were busted when he got it, since it was dropped/smashed from the back side - so it makes a bit of sense these two copper rivets were compromised.  Personally I don't think it's a good idea to use rivets going into a steam tank!  Seem like they would easily cause leaks with no easy options to seal them up.  I thought about trying to use a metal screw but decided to try and use new copper rivets.  I am trying to think of a way to add a additional seal between the tank and firebox, though not sure what I'll use.

So I have ordered new rivets from the UK and I went the route of ordering a crap ton (bulk of 10), more than I should ever need (all three sizes/types).  So more waiting!  Getting pretty close of running over this little engine with my car LOL