A number of people have asked how I install fan driven smoke in brass steamers, so I figured this was a good time to show you.
I start by using JB-Weld to secure a 1" spring with a 3 pounds/inch spring rate to the bottom of the smoke unit, it's very close to centered under the stack. I select a brass tube of the proper size to fit through the stack, and solder the threaded brass nipple for the MTH PS2 smoke unit to the nipple. The brass tubing is cut to size after soldering, I temporarily screw it on and mark it, then take it to my cutoff saw. The brass tubing and nipple assembly must be sized in diameter to lift out through the stack so the smoke unit can be easily removed for maintenance, when's the last time you had a smoke unit that never needed maintenance?
To put it into the boiler shell, remove the brass stack extension. Slide the smoke unit into the boiler from the front, compressing the spring with a pair of needle nose pliers or the like. Center the stack opening under the boiler stack and screw the stack extension in. I typically use a screwdriver that just wedges into the brass nipple opening as a handle and just screw it in. Remove it the same way. The right hand graphic shows the smoke unit fully installed in the boiler shell.
Click on the graphic for a larger version.
