Mount Vernon AE Combustion Blower Screws--Help

[Peter Martin]

One of the 6 screws that attach the exhaust blower to the housing has broken on my Mt Vernon AE (due to my over-tightening). I've noticed that all the screws are a little bit loose and that the threading on the housing is not great. How do I replace the screws with new ones? My issue is that I don't see how new screws are going to stay fixed relative to the housing as I tighten the nuts. Those screws are just going to spin in place unless they are anchored (somehow) to the housing. There must be some way to do this, but I can't figure out how.

Any ideas as to how I can attach the exhaust blower back on to the housing?

Thanks,

Peter

 

[kappel15]

You can get a new housing, or you can thread the nut on so far, and then hold end of the bolt with a needle nose pliers and finish tightening the nut

 

[Peter Martin]

Thanks. I tried to get a new housing, but it appears it's only sold as an entire unit, with the fan. I tried to buy just the housing from a local vendor, but they said they don't have any.

Yes, that's a good idea with the needle nose. A bit awkward because of the angles, but worth a try.

What I've done so far is to JB Weld those screws into place. That seems to work, but I'm worried that connection will get broken over time due to the heat and pressure on the joints.

We'll see.

Thanks again,

Peter

 

[kappel15]

Thanks. I tried to get a new housing, but it appears it's only sold as an entire unit, with the fan. I tried to buy just the housing from a local vendor, but they said they don't have any.

Yes, that's a good idea with the needle nose. A bit awkward because of the angles, but worth a try.

What I've done so far is to JB Weld those screws into place. That seems to work, but I'm worried that connection will get broken over time due to the heat and pressure on the joints.

We'll see.

Thanks again,

Peter

I think I got a housing i'm not using if you want it. It is the newer model tho. kap

 

[Peter Martin]

Kap,

My JB Weld method didn't work.

I would be interested in the housing, if you've still got it. How much do you want for it? I'm not sure what you mean by the newer model. Mine looks like the attached picture.

Thanks,

Peter

 

[Overfireinthehole]

If they are getting really bad you can knock the screws out with a hammer and mount the blower with some self tappers. That was always a poor design, and they didn’t even fix it with the E2 or Trecker models.

 

[kappel15]

They changed the design on where the bolts go a few years back, so it has two sets of mounting areas. One for older models, and one for newer models. It looks the same, just double mounting areas. I like Overfires idea of self tappers. If you still want it, you can have the housing. Just pay shipping. kap

 

[ARGlock]

Sure glad to see Kap is around to help fix that Space Shuttle (AE)

 

[kappel15]

Sure glad to see Kap is around to help fix that Space Shuttle (AE)

Hey AR. How's it going? Thinking of retiring this year. Plenty of others on here that can do the job. kap

 

[ARGlock]

Doing ok. Finally cooling off down here in Arkansas to start the heaters. You need to hang around the forum. Place would be lost without your expertise!!

 

[kappel15]

Nah. Plenty people on here that got the know how. Getting tired of doing it.