Vigilant damper problems

[Hiking Moereese]

Hi,I recently purchased a camp in western mass that is equipped with a 1977 VC Vigilant.It has a bi-metal
thermostat,which I almost immediately broke.Found one on eBay,replaced it.Seems to work fine.Here's
the problem.The damper does'nt want to close.This of course makes it updraft all the time.I suspected
ash build up so I vacuumed.No deal.Next step tackle the set screw on the damper handle.Frozen,been in
there for 39 years.I have'nt stripped it YET.Found a new handle casting with set screw on-line.Before I
get brutal with this thing(drill out the set screw) any good advice on this problem?Also,coincidently,a
buddy of mine fell into possesion of the same stove.Has developed a crack in the bottom.Can it be repaired?
One morer thing if anyone out there has print material on rebuilds I'd be happy to pay postage and any
reasonable postage.I've read VC's pdf.Thanks.

 

[fbelec]

welcome the the forums. your damper not closing might be a warped damper or fireback. your friends stove if it is on the bottom base of the stove might be weldable depending on how bad. keep a layer of ash on the bottom high enough to cover the fins and that shouldn't happen. your spring on your thermostat just needs adjustment. ease up on the tension to hold it open by giving the chain more slack or make sure it is not backwards. loosen it the light a fire with the flap starting to close, if i tcloses more with heat you know it's backwards

 

[Hiking Moereese]

Thanks.The rod that adjusts the spring tension broke right off in the stove.I had to drill it out.Replacement works fine.
No problems there.So my damper problem is either a.warped damper.b.warped fire back or c.both.No chance this could be
an obstruction?I.e. a stray cinder?Can I diagnose without disassembly?Currently I can close about 1/2 way but it falls right
back to open.I know I'm losing a lot of heat.I get a six hour burn with the flapper 1/2" open and air hole open a third.There's
still smoke coming out of the flue.I use the stove about a month of the year.How can I assess where the warp is?Straight edge?
Looking for easy fixes here.If it's elaborate or expensive I'll just keep running as is.At least I won't have to worry about creosote.
Any feedback appreciated.Is jb weld worth a shot on the bottom?Thanks

 

[defiant3]

Bet there's a crack in your fireback that starts in the upper left corner of the rectangular opening in the lower right corner of the fireback.

 

[defiant3]

Hope that made sense...