This was a recent eBay buy...It came up overnight with a BIN of $175 OBO with a No. 15 genset. "Estate sale, attic find, untested"(read-doesnt work, I tried). I sent an offer of $140, a bit high but the genset alone goes for almost that. Seller accepted and a few days later here it is. The genset cleaned up nice and works well.
Of course, the engine is a different story. Bad heater, rust, missing Stevenson link spring, scale, missing a few bits, and plating going out on the governor and screws.
I gave it a quick wipe, and ordered the parts required from Jensen. While I wait, the question is what to do with the firebox. It has the typical heat distressing of the (PINK) paint, and really has gained a nice tone so I am hesitant to repaint it. I do need to take care of the rust in the corners and the nickel loss under the chimney. Do any forum members suggest any other options?
For now, I wait for parts and inspiration.
Before: [ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ]
After a light cleaning- [ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ]
Hi Benny
I know if I were to receive this (& I have bought many just like this) I would be tempted to give it a full nuclear resto, I would disassemble everything & bead blast the firebox & chimney support (solder in 6/32 square nuts to the underside of the boiler strap holes) & give them a nice coat of VHT burnt copper paint, the rust has to be neutralized. if the boiler straps are to bad, I replace them, if the boiler will clean up with "Maas" polish, then you are ahead that much. if your happy with the genny the way it is , that's fine, although I would probably replace the 3" axle & put in a 4" axle, drill out the stanchions & put ball bearings in it & make 2 sets of tiered pulleys for either side. just my 2 cents Benny....good luck with your little project & looking forward to the results.
Nice buy! and a fun project!
I think I would agree with Bruce - it would be a very nice engine with a full restore especially if you go with the ball bearings and pulleys. However, I do understand wanting to keep it fairly original - I only have one copper colored firebox Jensen which has been well used and shows it but since it belonged to a good friend I don't want to destroy the patina (and the memories).
Looking forward to seeing what you do with this one Benny!
Hi Benny
I know if I were to receive this (& I have bought many just like this) I would be tempted to give it a full nuclear resto, I would disassemble everything & bead blast the firebox & chimney support (solder in 6/32 square nuts to the underside of the boiler strap holes) & give them a nice coat of VHT burnt copper paint, the rust has to be neutralized. if the boiler straps are to bad, I replace them, if the boiler will clean up with "Maas" polish, then you are ahead that much. if your happy with the genny the way it is , that's fine, although I would probably replace the 3" axle & put in a 4" axle, drill out the stanchions & put ball bearings in it & make 2 sets of tiered pulleys for either side. just my 2 cents Benny....good luck with your little project & looking forward to the results.
Bruce, I like all the ideas you propose- this is an older version of a current production engine, so it isn't like I'm slapping paint on a rare or older variant. The boiler has some scratching from the use of pliers to remove fittings(every bleeding time from the looks of it!) and a few small spots that might be the start of plating loss-Ballistol did not remove them immediately-but they don't look that bad so fingers crossed. I plan to attack the parts that have lost the plate (screws, regulator, spring holder, chimney base) with new plating, and polish what I can of the boiler. A respray of VHT, replacement heater and it should be good.
The ideas for the genset are also tops, I will add those to the project list...I'm not sure I can turn out the referenced pulleys on my lathe(operator not equipment) so I might be asking for advice when I get around to it.
Thanks for the pointers and advice!
Nice buy! and a fun project!
Thanks, Gil. I was hoping I did OK price-wise. And the 25 is such a strong engine and boiler combo, I felt I really couldn't do bad with it and the genny.
I think I would agree with Bruce - it would be a very nice engine with a full restore especially if you go with the ball bearings and pulleys. However, I do understand wanting to keep it fairly original - I only have one copper colored firebox Jensen which has been well used and shows it but since it belonged to a good friend I don't want to destroy the patina (and the memories).
I was curious as to the consensus of repainting these. It seems some don't care for the pinkish paint, but this has just enough color washed out and burned into make it a few shades lighter and rather nice(almost the color of the old Bing brickwork). But the rust in every nook and cranny are more concerning, so I guess it gets a paint job.
Looking forward to seeing what you do with this one Benny!
And I as well. It is starting to look like a full restoration, from the sound of things. Which is fine by me! Finally a restoration project I can just go to the manufacturer and buy replacement parts!!!
Any update on this restoration Benny?
Any update on this restoration Benny?
Thanks for reminding me, Charlie. I got the heater replaced, all the shiny bits polished, and resprayed the firebox. I still have to replace the sight glass seal.
I'm sure someone has dealt with this before, but to my eye- the fireboxes appear to be copper plated, then lacquered to produce that odd pinkish color. Is this the case or just my mistake?
Yup, they´re copper plated beneath that "beautiful" salmon colour 
Have stripped quite a few myself, which is easily done with paint stripping gel, as long as it hasn´t been fired yet.
Somewhat harder, if the paint has been burned on there on a used engine.
Here´s an example of the chimney, before and after stripping with Morse Paint Stripper:
(Attachment Link)
I like it better stripped.
Any update on this restoration Benny?
Thanks for reminding me, Charlie. I got the heater replaced, all the shiny bits polished, and resprayed the firebox. I still have to replace the sight glass seal.
I'm sure someone has dealt with this before, but to my eye- the fireboxes appear to be copper plated, then lacquered to produce that odd pinkish color. Is this the case or just my mistake?
Looking forward to seeing it running again Benny.
Thank you for your reply.
Yup, they´re copper plated beneath that "beautiful" salmon colour
Have stripped quite a few myself, which is easily done with paint stripping gel, as long as it hasn´t been fired yet.
Somewhat harder, if the paint has been burned on there on a used engine.
Here´s an example of the chimney, before and after stripping with Morse Paint Stripper:
(Attachment Link)
I like it better stripped.
Has anyone ever gotten an official answer as to why they paint over the plating? other than that is what Tom Jensen Jr likes? I know the majority of us prefer the "stripped" look...