Well, The Tilley Radiator Gods have shined down upon me once again! Thanks to Tilley U.S. distributor A.W.Thacker! The new find was discovered in an "Industrial Antique" Shop, in a small town in the U.S., called Leicester, Massachusetts. I'll need a little help identifying the item this time though. I'm unsure if it's a Tilley R55 variation, or another Tilley model entirely. Please see the pics attached to see the variations I'll describe. Although very similar to another Tilley Radiator I have and it being I.D.'d as an R55, the new Radiator has some peculiar attributes. They are: 1. The Fuel Level Indicator, is not on the front like the R55, but located on the Pump Side of the Tank, on the New Radiator. 2. The Pump Ass'y., is Nickle Plated, (Brass I'm assuming) on the New Radiator and not Brass alone, like the R55. 3. The Pump Handle is smaller on the New Radiator, than the R55 4. The PIP location is different. The R55's PIP is located at the 10-11:00 position in relation to the Radiator Handle Base, where as, the New Radiator's PIP, is located at the 8:00 position. 5. The New Radiator has a separate "Tilley" Decal and a different A.W.Thacker Decal, than the R55. For dating of the New Radiator, it's stamped on the bottom "964XA". Do I have another Tilley R55, just a variation, or is it another Tilley model entirely? Thanks!
I get confused between the two but it may be a IF 542. Then again, it may be a R55 with a IF 542 pump in it. To be honest I don't know. I'm not sure if the IF 542 came out in this colour. Anthony explained it all to me once but I promptly forgot.
A little follow up on the above Tilley Radiator! When the Tilley was found, the Tank was completely full of Kerosene. Upon inspection of the item, while taking an inventory of it's parts and checking the function of it's pump and valves, it was discovered, that the unit was still pressurized! A good sign, indeed! This meant all the seals were still intact and the Tank hadn't rusted and begun to leak! Upon further inspection though, it was noticed that the item had gotten too close to a painting project and the entire front of the Grill, the lower half, and the top rear of the Reflector, the top of the Burner and Tank also, had all been hit with overspray. Some careful paint removal would be needed, for sure! Other than that, the Radiator was in great condition! The Metal Mantle was excellent and Heck, the Fuel Level Indicator still worked, so I purchased it! While riding home, in utter bliss I might add, I wondered, it being found pressurized and with Kerosene in the tank, if the Radiator would come back to life, with a simple pre-heat and pump? I pushed down on the gas pedal a little more and just couldn't wait to get home and try it! When I got home, I took inventory once more and readied the Radiator for a rebirth. To my utter amazement, it lit up with no problem and the only downside to it's re-fire, was a leak from the Cock Valve Shaft Seals! Who woulda thought? Who knows how long the item had been sitting dormant and under pressure with a full Tank of fuel, while covered in dust and paint overspray? Needless to say, I'm a Tilley Fan, for sure! I tore the Radiator down after it cooled and gave the item a good fettle. That included, a precision bath with Brake Fluid, to remove the paint overspray, where necessary, replacing the leaking Cock Valve Shaft Seals and the Pump Leather and a good long soaking in Vinegar and thorough cleaning of the Vaporizer, Vaporizer Prick, Burner and it's Components and the Cock Valve. Everything else is still original and functioning fine. When the warmer weather comes, I'll attend to the Tank and other items that'll need painting. Here it is in it's current state after the fettle and in the midst of a "Full Burn"!
Well, Mr Optimus entered his as an R55, and yours looks the same. But I'm no expert on the difference between R55s and the IFs. Someone with greater knowledge than I will chime in, I'm sure. Cheers Tony
Its a R55 dated sept /64 year There are just small variations in this model etc . The IF54 is the Hanging heater different handle bracket on it some have the hole in back of reflector for the air intake tube to stick out . Bob .
Thanks, Bob! Although I was hoping I had discovered a different model, I'm happy to have found another variation of an R55! With two R55's and an R1A now, the garage is sure getting warmer, as the outside gets colder, up here in the Northeast U.S.!
Another great find and Tilley were always tweaking the design of their products. The links below show several designs of Tilley pumps for instance. http://0flo.com/index.php?threads/3554 http://0flo.com/index.php?threads/3552 http://0flo.com/index.php?threads/3553
