Greetings All I recently posted a new thread entitled "New Toys", featuring my latest haul of Lamps and Stoves from Stoke On Trent. I have quite a few Tilley's in my collection now, but still consider myself very much an Informed Amateur! The PL53 is both the newest, and by far the oldest in my collection, and I can't begin to explain my excitement in finding it! I couldn't wait to make a start on it, immediately pulling it apart for assessment - Now I have questions...? I have made a start trawling CPL for information and advice, but not finding specifically what I need at the moment. Is there such a thing as a PL Parts List / Exploded Diagram available? #1 - Simple question - Does a PL use the same Seals for rebuilding as an X246? #2 - Date of Manufacture - From my research and comparison with others on CPL, and because of the Steel Fount I am thinking 1940 to 1946 ish? Having said that, following dismantling for fettling, the Burner Assembly looks to my untrained eyes, to be very similar to the 1930's model illustrated on another post that I'm now struggling to find again! Could it be Tilley using up older parts, or just those pesky Scouts swapping things about again? #3 - Pressure Tit - Mine doesn't have one, is that common? #4 - Control Cock - Mine has a late model Aluminium X246 Cock installed. I'm afraid Iv'e not yet caught up on all the different Cock nomenclatures available over the years, but should mine have a Brass Cock like a "Pork Pie" or "Guardsman", or a similar type but with a longer spindle putting the knob further out from the centreline of the lamp, Iv'e seen pictures of both installed on PL's? #5 - Another simple / stupid question - Should the Pump Clamp Ring unscrew from the Pump Tube like a later Tilley, or is it one piece? The Fount is already in Paint, but I've included a few other pics for reference. Looking forward to incoming sage advice from the real experts! Best Regards Mark Hodgson
@Mark Hodgson Hi Mark that looks in good overall condition for its age 1.yes the seals are the same unless you are going to use the alu control tap fettlebox have them x246 2.its age is near what you have thought .. some steel parts appear to pre date wwll slightly ; the burner is right for yours 3. for the steel tanks, yes as they were trying to save on brass 4. the guardsman has a clocking ring and wil not fit as its wider ; you need one the same size as the alu one.. the heater R1 type will fit 5. soldered in place.. use a small slotted screwdriver or dental pick or both to remove the washer 6. hope that helps ps the very early burner has a longer body.. yours should be similar to this poor example
Thanks for that Podbros! I was going to go and have some quality fettle time out in the Garage this afternoon - But it's just too cold, gonna sit and watch Youtube videos instead! Regards Mark
heres a better condition burner and the other parts with an alu control tap to show the thread size you can use the later tap as the previous owner did? it will work ok you just won’t be able to shut it off using the knob as the pips are different but for testing purposes it will be fine
Hmmm, all becoming clearer now! I really want to restore it with a Brass Cock. I'll have a rummage in the Bits Box, and see what I can build when I remove all the masking tape, post painting! Thanks for all the info! Regards Mark
