Good afternoon from Brooklyn...Really good!
I purchased a Weeden #3 from a seller on Ebay, a dirty non-runner.
The engine casting and S/V casting were loose and unsealed to the boiler.
An o-ring worked for the S/V and a custom flat washer was cut for the
engine casting. JB RTV sealant was used as a sealant for both items.
I gave it 24hrs to cure.
In addition, the inlet steam-port in the engine casting was blocked and
needed to be cleaned out. I used a tiny drill and expected mineral dreck
to come out, but some casting metal bits came out and then there was a hole.
I think it may never have run properly.
Finally, I polished the boiler as it really needed it. The engine castings,
painted/coated with stove blacking were pretty darn clean and unscratched.
The S/V was also in nice shape, and amazingly, has the little lead stopper
that sits in the S/V fitting. The original weight is missing, darn.
The chimney and whistle parts are missing, but I'll come up with originals
or apropos replacements.
The base has a bit of the original paint and is not rusted, so it stays as-is.
The firebox had a 1" square bit of surface rust and was generally nasty, so I
vigorously rubbed it smooth and relatively clean. Since it was still pretty
black, it stays that way.
Finally, I loaded it with water, set it over one of my home-made alcohol burners,
listened to it steam up, and away it went. Pretty good runner. On you tube now
but it will be replaced with one of my highly-produced 'What we have here' videos.
Very happy results, and the proof is on video!
https://youtu.be/XBCmGk8T7WsHappy steamer,
Wayne