EFM 520 over the last 20 years

OK everyone,

I have a line on a used EFM 520 that is about 20 years old (estimated according to second owner). I think I can pick it up for $3000 give or take a few hundred. My wife wants me to buy a new one but me being a tight wad ( and knowing the durability of these boilers)I want to look at this one. So I have a few questions to pose for your consideration. The owner purchased it used to try and burn wood pellets in. He never did hook it up and is now interested in selling it. I found it through a mutual friend. It doesn't have an oil gun on it but I would like to get the kit to add one. It is supposed to have everthing with it, stoker, auger, blowers, etc. So here are my questions.

1. Is $3000 a fair price? great price? given the price of a new one.
2. What changes have there been in the last 20 years? electronics? aquastats? oil guns?
3. Is it possible to add the oil option after the fact or was the oil option avalable.?
4. Anything I should look at or look out for when I go to inspect it and possibly make the deal?
Thanks in advance for your replies and help. I'll probaly have more questions later.

1. Is $3000 a fair price? great price? given the price of a new one.

It's a great price as long as the boiler and base are in excellent condition.

2. What changes have there been in the last 20 years? electronics? aquastats? oil guns?

No changes at all.

3. Is it possible to add the oil option after the fact or was the oil option avalable.?

The oil option can be added at any time. You can even use your old oil burner and save a few hundred on the kit price.

4. Anything I should look at or look out for when I go to inspect it and possibly make the deal?
Thanks in advance for your replies and help. I'll probaly have more questions later.

Look for unwarped burner plates, a quiet working stoker, no rust around the coil gasket, no holes in the base or rust, two worms and two pipes and two couplings, timer, aquastat, unwarped iron baffle and both hanging baffles, and a good water coil. If everything is in good working order it would sell in minutes at 3K.

Also, look at the pictorial at the very top thread of the efm forum. It will show you all the parts and what they look like.

Thanks Stoker-man.

That was quick. I hope to go look at the boiler tomorrow. I'll print out the pictures of the parts you mentioned and look them over. Time is of the essence. I guess I don't need to tell you what the wait is for a new boiler. I want to make a decision and a deal this week, whether it's a new or used boiler.

stoker man, say the base was rusted out really bad, how much would a new one cost from efm?

PM Scrapper_23jr for that info.

The good news is that the base is being redesigned. No longer will you have to buy an entire base if one side rusts out. It is supposed to be an angle iron frame with 4 bolt-on sides and have much more replaceable parts. It's unlikely that I'll ever see a replacement part sold because we're talking quite a few years down the line until a replacement part would be needed.

Alot of the bases were just set on bare earth in someone's cellar, years ago, and the boilers literally are hanging from the pipes in the ceiling today. If a base is set on blocks, with even a layer of plastic covering the earth beneath it, it should last a long time.

slb04786 wrote:1. Is $3000 a fair price? great price? given the price of a new one.

Assuming it hasn't been used or used very little as your post suggests I'd be getting in my truck right now heading to the guys house with cash in hand.

I just bought a unit that was made in 1959. I'm no expert but the only pitting in the metal I see is in the bottom of the ash pit. It looks like this thing will be running long after I'm dead and gone.

Another question.
If the the feed and fan are mounted on the wrong side for my setup is it that difficult to relocate (switch) them to the other side of the boiler? Do I need to purchase new side panels, knockouts, or other parts to do this?
I guess I have the same question on the ash pan cleanout door. Is it just a simple matter of re-assembling the base so the ashpan cleanout is on the other side?

I haven't been able to go look at the oiler yet. I'm waiting to hear back from our mutual friend as to when I can look at it and get some measurements, pictures, etc.
Thanks,

The feed/fan can be mounted on either the left or right side. The ash pit door and flue are not interchangable. You won't need any new panels. You'll have to disconnect the short pipe from the pot and then the entire assy. can be moved by unbolting the side cover and swapping sides. You'll have to make new holes in the cabinet and cover up the old holes.

The 1953 High boy that I got from Steve and Jay earlier this year is also in very good shape on the base. Very little rust repair. Just surface rust around the bottom and such... 55 years in a basement already and still going strong!

That is a good price for that unit. Take your check book!

stoker-man wrote:PM Scrapper_23jr for that info.

The good news is that the base is being redesigned. No longer will you have to buy an entire base if one side rusts out. It is supposed to be an angle iron frame with 4 bolt-on sides and have much more replaceable parts. It's unlikely that I'll ever see a replacement part sold because we're talking quite a few years down the line until a replacement part would be needed.

Alot of the bases were just set on bare earth in someone's cellar, years ago, and the boilers literally are hanging from the pipes in the ceiling today. If a base is set on blocks, with even a layer of plastic covering the earth beneath it, it should last a long time.

Well I wonder where EFM got The Idea on how to build the new bases I hope the Guy that gave you The info & Idea is
going to get checks sent to him when these new bases are made & sold It seems to me this Guy Just saved EFM a Ton of Money on R&D I am sure it is not the first time This Guy gave EFM Idea's on How to impove The EFM stoker boiler Remember Nothing should be Free in This world Taking and using someones Idea That Person should be Paid for it Or at least be on EFM's Payroll

the unit you are looking at which you stated was around 20 years old, does it have a round door or a square fire door?square doors started in 1981, should be tag on boiler stating year. if it has a square door and all is there ,well worth 3grand. depending on condition and wear you can put another grand in it for tubes, worms, bushings, grates etc. biggest factor would be condition of boiler where coil mounts.

Scrapper,

Thanks for that info. That will help me tell how old it is. I haven't seen the boiler yet. The gentleman and I haven't been able to make connections yet. Either he's working or I'm working. I hope to go look at it today after work. I'll look for the tag which has the ser# and dates on it. I've been trying to familiarize myself with how it should look so I can tell if there are pieces missing. That would affect my offer and final purchase price. As soon as I see it and come to an agreement to purchase the boiler I'll post back on here.

Well, I looked at the EFM 520 tonight and made the decision to purchase it. I'll need to put a littl money into it to make it look better. Like sanding and painting the xterior panels for one. I'll also need to order the end of the tube and auger that go into the bin. Whoever dismantled it lost these parts. I think they may have lostthem intentionally becaus they broke the auger where it threads into the other piece. I'll need to weld something onto the old piece to thread it out and put the new one on. The aquastat is a Honeywell but I' not sure it is the same as the new ones today. I migt need t replace that also if it is different. It does have a square fire door so it is a post 1981 model.

I'll let youknow more once I get it home.