1989 EFM 520

Hey fellas....

Been awhile... don't get much time to be online during the summer when ya don't get in the house till dark.

I have a chance to buy a 1989 520 for $3,000. It is in probably average shape, needing a few odds and ends, but nothing major. It was through a flood in 1996, but as soon as the water went down it was back in action a few hours later, so it must not have minded that incident much. Looked inside it quick, doesnt have any cracked grates, and the fire pot looks to be in good shape overall. Needs bracket bearing assembly because retaining pawl is broke off, one side of jacket has a good dent in it, but other than that I cant find much bad to say about it.

something I should persue, or what? What are these things bringing now in this state..... I havent followed prices much scince I put mine in 3 years ago. I was thinking valued at $3500-$4000 was in the ballpark. Was used to heat a large apartment complex, we delivered coal into it for many years and everytime I was there it never missed a lick.

I think my brother is going to take it. Hes been looking for one for a while now.

Thanks
have fun getting ready for the heating season

You can always wait for the perfect deal and get one for $500, but that price is in the ballpark for sure.

Sounds like a really nice deal to me!

Glenn

My opinion is $3000 is too much for a used EFM 350. Sounds closer to the price for a rebuilt unit with a new DHW coil, motor, grates and other parts. Is it in "ready to go" condition? Otherwise...
You're probably going to need to spend some time on a rebuild, factor in your time and labor as well as the cost of parts, they can get expensive.
Is the unit disassembled? Is it a DF (with the oil burner?) Can you inspect the grates-I know you said they weren't cracked, but they aren't that easy to completely see when the boiler is assembled. Also what condition are the following parts in: the auger, auger bushing in the pot, motor on the stoker, DHW coil (if equipped), DHW coil or cover plate gasket contact surface on the boiler itself, boiler base (especially the bottom). Yes, the boiler is only 21 years old, but if it was heating a large building it could have many hours of run time on it.
All this should be factored into the purchase price.

Just my 2 cents.

Wood'nCoal wrote:My opinion is $3000 is too much for a used EFM 350. Sounds closer to the price for a rebuilt unit with a new DHW coil, motor, grates and other parts. Is it in "ready to go" condition? Otherwise...
You're probably going to need to spend some time on a rebuild, factor in your time and labor as well as the cost of parts, they can get expensive.
Is the unit disassembled? Is it a DF (with the oil burner?) Can you inspect the grates-I know you said they weren't cracked, but they aren't that easy to completely see when the boiler is assembled. Also what condition are the following parts in: the auger, auger bushing in the pot, motor on the stoker, DHW coil (if equipped), DHW coil or cover plate gasket contact surface on the boiler itself, boiler base (especially the bottom). Yes, the boiler is only 21 years old, but if it was heating a large building it could have many hours of run time on it.
All this should be factored into the purchase price.

Just my 2 cents.

Don't no where you came up with a EFM 350 He is talking about a 1989 DF 520 The 350 were done way before 1989 any unit made from 1979 on would be a DF 520 so it is a DF unit . About not able to see the grates with out taking a part not
true on any DF SQ door you an look right into the grates no need to take apart anything to see the full grates .
Agree with most of the other things you stated .

I guess I typed 350 because that's what I have, I have it on my mind. You're right (as usual) about the square door, since mine is a round door I was thinking about that as well. I reread that post twice, you'd think I would have noticed I wrote 350 instead of 520. DUH!