VC Encore 2550 BIG rebuild

So I'm starting this thread to help others and to receive help through the process. Last winter I noticed the back casting on my stove had two large cracks, also my refractory is in rough shape and my throat hood is warped...... This thread will be edited as I go to be a guide of sorts. Alot of my info and references will come from Jharkins rebuild which was on a smaller scale found here. All my parts came from www.plumberstock.com and their prices are unbeatable just an example
1VERMONT CASTINGS 1602510 REFRACTORY ASSY WW FIREBOX$128.25
Normal price on the web Price: $222.00!!

 

Parts from Plumberstock. And my first observation... In the image called capture1 VC seemed to put the front of the refractory on a little sloppy and there is a lip on the bottom and the top will need a little shaving to fit in right. Notice the gift they sent with the parts in 3653... 5hr energy what are they trying to say?

 

Stove in its current state

 

The first two pictures of the cracks, what casting is that?

 

If anything they should have given you migraine medication and a booklet on finger dexterity...

 

That is a damm good price. Great find.

 

Its the "1308620 BACK ENCORE 91" Img_3652 in the 2nd post.

What furnace cement do you guys recommend?

 

Took the legs off and got it on a dolly on 4x4's Easiest this thing has EVER moved!! Floors are beat up enough so I am rolling it on cardboard. And the puppy watching me struggle.......

 

Ah yes... brings back memories.

Fwiw, that throat hood isn't warped at all by my standards

I remember pulling mine from the ashes one morning after a runaway encore overnight burn. That thing looked like a boomerang.

 

VERMONT CASTINGS 1308625 THROAT HOOD FOR ENCORE CAT$19.24
Figured for the price why not

 

Well, you found some great prices on the parts. Lowest I have seen. By a lot.

 

Subscribed.

Yes those are freaking amazing prices. Better even than what I got at Fergusen's last year.



BTW, to answer your question from PM - There are no kawool strips around the refractory on the 2550. The kaowool was used on BBar's older 0028 model with the bolted in fireback.

 

Well I saved some spaces up top to keep everything together but it seems I am no longer allowed to edit them....
Anyway todays progress
Started the day with breaking both bolts that hold the upper fireback.... fun
Next removed the top of the stove by removing the two nuts pictured, they came off easily

 

Next the two inner walls (which the bolts were only hand tight) I then removed the upper fireback. Finished the day by removing the back

 

Pictures of the cracks on the "back" of the stove where the flue collar attaches

 

Oh and some not so good news the new "back" I rec'd seems to be damaged but it is still usable fortunatly

 

I'm getting frustrated just by looking at these pics...

 

Its coming apart rather easy so no frustration yet.............................

 

Oh, they always come apart easy. Putting them back together is when I become reacquainted with my cursing vocabulary.

 

LOL noted. I think since Im this far in Im gonna tear down all the walls and redo all cement. I found a cool video that shows the encore being built in time lapse type format so that coupled with the old manual I think Im good.