VC Defiant - CL deal - cracked Fireplate - need advice

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Davidpsalt

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Sep 24, 2011
14
Blue Ridge Mtns, Georgia
To all the VC Defiant experts:

I am looking at buying a Defiant that I believe to be a late 70's model with "1975" on the one piece Fire Plate that is severely cracked and need of replacement. After doing some research here and elsewhere, it appears that the one piece fire plate is no longer available and that it can be replaced with the later model two piece Fireplate - which I see comes in a kit with new rods, cement, etc. However, this repair also requires replacing the left side panel and a new door. Is this correct? If so, how much should I expect to pay for both the kit and the side panel/door?

I have found the kit online for approximately $250 but am unsure if that includes the side panel and door in addition to the two piece Fireplate and miscelaneous parts. Can anyone confirm this and where the best place to purchase these parts?

Lastly, what would be a fair price to offer for this stove?

I just rebuilt a Dutchwest and love it - but grew up with a Defiant and would enjoy this project as well.

Thanks,

Dave
 

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Stove is worth about $150. The repair is a total rebuild, not a bad job but lil involved. I have rebuild over 300 Defiants at my shop
 
Thanks for the advice on value - I have printed out and read the doc "Defiant: From Top to Bottom and Back Again" - a how to rebuild doc from VC. Looks pretty straight forward.

Can you comment on my questions around parts needed? Do I need the kit with the 2 piece Fire Plate and a new side panel and door that works with the 2 piece Fire Plate?
 
If memory serves (Been 2 decades) I think you need to 2 pce FB kit with new side door...maybe the Fireback kit 1A1?

A days labor and a couple hundred dollars in parts and you can have a nice peice of nostalgia.

Humpin iron has me beat by about 225 stoves!
 
Franks said:
If memory serves (Been 2 decades) I think you need to 2 pce FB kit with new side door...maybe the Fireback kit 1A1?

A days labor and a couple hundred dollars in parts and you can have a nice peice of nostalgia.

Humpin iron has me beat by about 225 stoves!
Click to expand...

& you've got ME beat by about 50. We stopped rebuilding them in 2002...
 
I paid more for the entire kit 10 years ago. The new door and frame is needed the first time its converted and from then on if you are lucky you only need to change the top half of the fireback. I consider it a wear item that does need to be changed if the sotve is used heavilly every few years. Depending on the season you can usually find a stove that has been converted to a two piece back with a crack that will cost less to fix than doing the complete conversion. I havent looked for one lately but Uncle Henrys used to have Defiants in good condition for around $400 so to buy the parts to fix one, you are going to have to get it cheap.
 
Just checked my shops parts department. That appears to be a Defiant 1, original Defiant. The fireback kit is no longer made. Maybe check with "Woodsmans stove parts", see if Jim is still casting parts for old Defiants.
Just FYI take a door and wire brush the inside of it, you will find a small rectangular area with a date on it (like 09/23/75) that date will be within 6 months of when the stove was actually made. Later VC started using an 11 digit number, because that was easier than 9-23-75.
If you do find an old fireback kit, the stove can be rebuilt without the new end panel & door. Lil redneck engineering, but it can be done.
 
You will need a 5832, Defiant IAI fireback kit. Do yourself a huge fovor and get the left end and door assy., part number is 500-0199. Redneck engineering CAN work, but while they're still making this part, buy it. One day we may no longer have the option, then we'll all be rednecks. There are worse things, still get the side/door thing while you can. Woodman's has 'em .


By the way, shouldn't this be in the prehistoric forum?
 
There is a defiant for sale on the side of RT 16 in Gorham NH just before the car wash.

I suspect someone in the post may know something about it ;)!
 
No phone number listed, there are usually a couple of wood stoves on a covered cart on the front lawn. I just happened to notice a Defiant the other day driving by
 
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