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Author Topic: Empire B-43 Purchase… wanting info  (Read 1727 times)

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Empire B-43 Purchase… wanting info
« on: February 21, 2024, 05:14:58 pm »
Hey ya’ll. I bought this empire B-43 from weeden14 on eBay.  As photo shows. Good reviews.  I haven’t messed with an empire engine. He claims this is “Very Rare” and from the 1930’s.    Can anyone tell me about this engine?  Also, he says the heating element works great.  I don’t have a VARIAC.  Can I just plug it into a plug and use the regulator to vary the pressure.  What else can be said about this.  These are the photos.  Excited for its arrival. [ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ]
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Re: Empire B-43 Purchase… wanting info
« Reply #1 on: February 21, 2024, 07:24:57 pm »
Should be a good engine. You can just plug it in and just watch your pressure. gets to high just un plug.Fyi if you have a problem with the engine and you send it back weeden 14 will block you from buying anything from him! I have bought a few engines from him and i got a bad one wich i sent back per him and got blocked.Buyer beware!
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Brian

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Re: Empire B-43 Purchase… wanting info
« Reply #2 on: February 21, 2024, 07:38:28 pm »
Quote from: steam 4301 on February 21, 2024, 07:24:57 pm
Should be a good engine. You can just plug it in and just watch your pressure. gets to high just un plug.Fyi if you have a problem with the engine and you send it back weeden 14 will block you from buying anything from him! I have bought a few engines from him and i got a bad one wich i sent back per him and got blocked.Buyer beware!


Good to know.   Is this a blanketed heater?    How does it work & not blow out after all these years.
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The steam engine has done much more for science than science has done for the steam engine.”

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Re: Empire B-43 Purchase… wanting info
« Reply #3 on: February 21, 2024, 08:47:00 pm »
If you have a Digital Volt Meter, check its resistance - should be about 31~33 ohm.  But anywhere between 30~40 ohms you should be fine, though I have had heaters blow after a few runs.  The heater is simple, IMO.  It is nichrome wire wrapped around mica, then bigger mica sheet that makes like a sandwich.  If you have any electrical knowledge you can make one yourself.  There is at least one post, if not more that goes over the supplies.

This is a rarer engine with the oscillating piston & reversing lever.  It is missing its knob on the leaver.  Also this owner likes to take all the nickel off (if it isn't perfect) down to copper/brass.  So all the copper/brass you see should be nickel plating (which is why I passed on it).  Aside from that, the seller is very honest and he will accept returns if he has made an error or even if you decided it wasn't what you thought it should be.

As for not having a VARIAC, for the longest I didn't.  I'd recommend you get one, they aren't pricey on Amazon and come in handy with engines without regulators.  Also, it allows you to ease into max voltage on the old engines.

Here is a video of mine, which happens to also have the water pump.  If you have anymore questions, happy to see if I can help :-)

EDIT/FYI: that whistle base and topper isn't a Empire - the base I am pretty sure is from the Weeden.  The topper, perhaps hand made.  But it is better than a gapping hole!

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Richard

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Re: Empire B-43 Purchase… wanting info
« Reply #4 on: February 21, 2024, 09:22:28 pm »
Quote from: steam 4301 on February 21, 2024, 07:24:57 pm
Should be a good engine. You can just plug it in and just watch your pressure. gets to high just un plug.Fyi if you have a problem with the engine and you send it back weeden 14 will block you from buying anything from him! I have bought a few engines from him and i got a bad one wich i sent back per him and got blocked.Buyer beware!

It's true, he will block you if you return something but the point is: he will take it back and you'll get a refund.  The guy has a ton of items to sell, he came here 1st to see if anyone wanted to buy his whole collection - lock, stock, and barrel!  He just wants avoid stress on either side going forward, which I think is fair.

Oh, couple of other things I noticed on the sale that I forgot to list for you:
  • It is missing the cover on the steam block, that is why there are two screw holes at the top next to the steamline.  I have a early B-43 that didn't come with this from the factory (no holes on the block).  That cover keeps water/steam from blowing right into the crack between the tank base and tank!  So have a paper towel to keep that water off.
  • I am pretty sure that steam line is a replacement (copper?) and seems to have been sweated in place.
  • Looks like the lower sight glass fitting has been repaired?
None of that will really keep it from running, if anything it was done to get it running.


Oh, if you watch my video you'll see that cover I am talking about but it is installed backwards!  It came to me like that and I didn't know any better at the time.  I have since reinstalled it so actually redirects the water down to the main base ;-)
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Richard

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Re: Empire B-43 Purchase… wanting info
« Reply #5 on: February 21, 2024, 10:24:07 pm »
  Interesting model.  A bit on the rare side.  The whistle looks to be a
Weeden and the S/V-Chimney looks odd.

  When running Empires with horizontal boilers do not let water dribble
down the side of the boiler.  It can run underneath and short the heater
to death.  If you think water got down there, turn it off, empty whatever
water is in it, and just set it aside to dry out naturally.

Happy steaming,
Wayne
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Re: Empire B-43 Purchase… wanting info
« Reply #6 on: February 22, 2024, 10:32:36 am »
Quote from: RichSteamTx on February 21, 2024, 09:22:28 pm
Quote from: steam 4301 on February 21, 2024, 07:24:57 pm
Should be a good engine. You can just plug it in and just watch your pressure. gets to high just un plug.Fyi if you have a problem with the engine and you send it back weeden 14 will block you from buying anything from him! I have bought a few engines from him and i got a bad one wich i sent back per him and got blocked.Buyer beware!

It's true, he will block you if you return something but the point is: he will take it back and you'll get a refund.  The guy has a ton of items to sell, he came here 1st to see if anyone wanted to buy his whole collection - lock, stock, and barrel!  He just wants avoid stress on either side going forward, which I think is fair.

Oh, couple of other things I noticed on the sale that I forgot to list for you:
  • It is missing the cover on the steam block, that is why there are two screw holes at the top next to the steamline.  I have a early B-43 that didn't come with this from the factory (no holes on the block).  That cover keeps water/steam from blowing right into the crack between the tank base and tank!  So have a paper towel to keep that water off.
  • I am pretty sure that steam line is a replacement (copper?) and seems to have been sweated in place.
  • Looks like the lower sight glass fitting has been repaired?
None of that will really keep it from running, if anything it was done to get it running.


Oh, if you watch my video you'll see that cover I am talking about but it is installed backwards!  It came to me like that and I didn't know any better at the time.  I have since reinstalled it so actually redirects the water down to the main base ;-)


I asked the seller about the brass finish and its history and he cancelled the order, without answering any questions. Oh well.    I’ll find a better one.
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Re: Empire B-43 Purchase… wanting info
« Reply #7 on: February 22, 2024, 10:47:57 am »
I was going to say why is it still on eBay right now. I have it open
in another window as I'm typing this.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/116076760743
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Tommy

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Re: Empire B-43 Purchase… wanting info
« Reply #8 on: February 22, 2024, 10:58:28 am »
Quote from: Woe is me on February 22, 2024, 10:47:57 am
I was going to say why is it still on eBay right now. I have it open
in another window as I'm typing this.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/116076760743

Bought a better one off someone else for even a better price.  That weeden14 is a jerk. [ Guests cannot view attachments ]
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The steam engine has done much more for science than science has done for the steam engine.”

― Lord Kelvin

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Re: Empire B-43 Purchase… wanting info
« Reply #9 on: February 22, 2024, 11:14:24 am »
  Good for you.  There is always another Empire engine to be had on EBAY.
You are getting a better one as the other had too many issues that its
rarity could not make up for.

  While the seller may have reasons for being non-communicative it is
a rude behavior and perhaps is a window into their character.  There
are plenty of honest steam sellers, with fair deals, selling on EBAY.
My only problems are related to shipping damage and compensation was
offered PDQ.

Happy steaming,
Wayne
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Re: Empire B-43 Purchase… wanting info
« Reply #10 on: February 22, 2024, 11:25:09 am »
I'd stay away from a seller that is that sensitive to deal with.
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Bruce, St. Paul Indiana, USA
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Re: Empire B-43 Purchase… wanting info
« Reply #11 on: February 22, 2024, 11:52:00 am »
Quote from: St Paul Steam on February 22, 2024, 11:25:09 am
I'd stay away from a seller that is that sensitive to deal with.

Agreed!
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The steam engine has done much more for science than science has done for the steam engine.”

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Re: Empire B-43 Purchase… wanting info
« Reply #12 on: February 23, 2024, 06:38:13 am »
I think that was a bit severe to cancel the order when you were just asking about the history and such.  On the upside, you found yourself a nice engine to buy instead.  Good job and can't wait until you show it running!
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Richard
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