Intrepid II Model 1303 mfd 1987 - Replacing Refractory Assy

[ITgreybeard]

Hello! New member here. Our house was built in 1987-8 and has a VC Intrepid II stove, which I am in the process of maintaining with new gaskets and catalyst and refractory assy.

The available refractory for the old Intrepid II's seems to be for the 1308 model, built in 1990 and after. In attempting to retrofit it into the model 1303, I am finding that the assy seems to be deeper (front to back) than the stove allows. Vertical ribs in the refractory insertion area are gouging out the external walls of the assy, when the attempt is made to push the assy down in place of the original assy. Is there a recommended solution here?

Refractory Assy Insertion area

• ITgreybeard
• Jan 31, 2019

Note the vertical ribs on the rear and the front of the area. These are gouging the refractory...

Gouges in Refractory Assy external walls

• ITgreybeard
• Jan 31, 2019

Attempts to insert (push down) the refractory assy result in gouges to external walls of assy.

It is possible that the assy can be forced down into position, but is also possible that the assy will be damaged in attempting to do so.

Any advice?

 

[elmoleaf]

A bit late in reply, but yes...it is a tight fit and will slightly groove the refractory. Unless something is amiss in your iron parts (warped, misaligned) it should only be causing a slight dent. If too tight, you could pre-groove the assembly in the correct locations before pushing it downward.