Vermont Castings Defiant 1945 Service Manual page 17

7. Remove the upper fireback assembly (#19). It is held in place with four bolts going
inward from the upper corners of the outer stove back. Remove the upper fireback
assembly by swinging its right end forward. Watch the left end to be sure the damper
rod clears its hole in the left side of the stove. Capture the spacer from between the
left side of the upper fireback, and the left side of the stove and keep the washer on
the rod.
8. Remove the Flue Collar (#87). The Flue Collar is held in place by two Phillips head
screws and two square nuts. Hold the nuts from falling inside the rear of the stove.
9. Remove the left and right stainless steel heat deflectors (#7 and #8) from the back of
the stove. Gently slide the refractory insulating chamber (#9) forward, and remove it.
Leave the catalyst access panel (#11) and the catalytic element (#10) in place in the
chamber. Do not lift the chamber till it has cleared the secondary probe thermometer
which enters its rear face (or remove the probe from the back). The chamber can take
very high temperatures but it is physically fragile; handle it carefully.
10. Disconnect the thermostat cable (#66) from the thermostat rod, and remove the
thermostat assembly (#37) by pulling it into the firebox. Be sure to keep the small
coil friction spring that is on the main stem.
11. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the countersunk bolt going through the top
(#69) at the front under the griddle (See Point "A" Fig. 5).
12. Use the 7/16" box wrench, and then the ratchet with the 7/16" socket, to remove a hex
nut and washer from the two threaded studs passing through clevises in the upper
sides holding the top in place (See Point "B" Fig. 5).
13. Use the rubber mallet, or a hammer with a block of wood to cushion the impact, to
gently tap against the underside of the stove top, all around the perimeter, inside the
firebox, to break the cement seal between the stove top and the rest of the stove body.
When the top moves independently of the stove body, carefully lift it off and set it
aside. Be especially careful if the panel is enameled. It is heavy; it may take two
people to lift off the top. Since the top traps the stove back in place, either have a
helper hold the stove back up while you remove the top or put a strap around
the stove body before you remove the top. Then remove the back.
14. Remove one side, then the other. Remove the hex bolts joining the stove sides to the
bottom assembly. Use a rubber mallet or a hammer and a wooden block to tap
outward, from the inside, along the joints between the stove side and the bottom and
back panels. Have your helper steady the stove body while you gently rock the stove
side. When the side moves independently of the rest of the stove, pull it away from
the stove body and set it aside.