Need for rebuild of older encore 2550

[Helpless in MD]

I'm just starting the process of rebuilding an older 2550 and have already been stymied at step 2! The lower fireback will not come out! Either there is a great amount of buildup on the side walls or the back somehow is larger.....This all started when cleaning and reading forum posts and I took off the hood, which now I understand is warped and will not go back on.....I guess its a rebuild...any ideas on how to get the fireback out?

 

[homebrewz]

Are you removing this from the front of the stove? Were you able to get all of the bolts out? There is probably some gasket material on either side of the lower fireback and that may keep it in place after the bolts have been removed. You can try some careful prying and see if it will come free. Be careful that you don't damage the fragile refractory material which is behind the fireback assembly.

Here is a link to the exploded diagram in case you don't have one.
(broken link removed to http://www.appliancefactoryparts.com/hvac/vermont-castings/encore-2550.html)

 

[Helpless in MD]

Are you removing this from the front of the stove? Were you able to get all of the bolts out? There is probably some gasket material on either side of the lower fireback and that may keep it in place after the bolts have been removed. You can try some careful prying and see if it will come free. Be careful that you don't damage the fragile refractory material which is behind the fireback assembly.

Here is a link to the exploded diagram in case you don't have one.
(broken link removed to http://www.appliancefactoryparts.com/hvac/vermont-castings/encore-2550.html)

I may have called it the "lower" fireback, I meant to say fireback. It says to remove it remove the wedges (done) swing it forward and lift from stove...when I try to swing forward it gets wedged on the side walls and will not move forward enough to lift up ??

 

[bholler]

Did you take out the panels on the sides? I beleive that stove has internal side panels that need to come out

 

[Helpless in MD]

Did you take out the panels on the sides? I beleive that stove has internal side panels that need to come out

You are so right! Just found a pdf for rebuild of the firebox and that is the 3rd step....Thanks!