Newbee with VC Vigilant questions.

Greetings! Let me start by saying Im very excited to start burning wood again, and am very grateful for this forum. I picked this stove up yesterday and want to make sure she's working properly. I did go through the owner's manual once, and I will read it again and again. I still have some questions. I noticed there's no firebrick in the firebox. Is it missing, or just not needed? Maybe the sand takes it place? Also there are NO gaskets that I can see anywhere on the stove. There also looks like there should be a rod or something on the damper control.
Does anyone have some good pictures of what this old girl's supposed to look like? Thanks a lot!

Um, yeah, really should have gasketing on the front doors and top "griddle". No brick, but be SURE to put at least 1.5" of SOMETHING in the bottom

Yeah, they're pretty clear about the 1.5 inches of sand, minimum. Here's some pictures:

View attachment 89946

My concern is obviously the missing seals/gaskets from the doors, but the griddle top gets them too? Hmmm..., Can I use the standard "roping"? There also seems like something's missing from the bottom of that ball chain. The bi-metallic coil is still in place, but feels like there should be a door or some kind of cover over what looks to be an intake port at the bottom right in back (poor pictures). Also, (please excuse my ignorance) but what is stove cement? How do I know if I need it?
I'm hoping to learn as much about this stove as I can. Want to get her all dialed-in before I have the pipe put up. Thanks.

Oh, and what's that piece in my last image on top of the griddle? Anyone?

Ok. After some further research on this most-excellent site, I've read that the griddle gasket is sort of a custom job with a "wire running through it". So, is this true, and has anyone had any luck with a substitute? Much thanks.

You CAN use standard 5/16 rope for doors and griddle too. The metal stuff lasts longer, but not to worry.

That piece on the top is the primary air tube, lives on the left side of the firebox level w/ the bottm. Look closely, you'll see a threaded cast boss in the center of the left side, about 1 1/2 " up from the bottom. Need a 2" 1/4-20 flat head stove bolt. Sorry if this is too vague... ha ha

By the way, that's a 1 piece fireback.. Might need to know that one day...

Thanks Defiant. Any thoughts on a substitute for the primary intake cover?

Part #20 in the diagram, call them up and order.
http://www.discountstove.com/0039.html