Boiler fixing

Plodding my way through my build of Emma Victoria. Can anyone assist in a question (I'm sure there is) Is the boiler fixed to the smoke box. Cannot find any reference to it in Henry Woods excellent build series and googled to no avail.

There is of course the supports at the firebox end which allows for expansion but is the whole thing left to 'float' or should it be rivetted/screwed to the smoke box spigot.

Bill D.

No idea on Emma Victoria but its usual practice for a boiler to be firmly fixed to the smokebox and saddle and free to slide at the firebox end to take up expansion.

Paul.

On my engine, not EV, I made the smokebox a tight push/ light drive fit. No fasteners. But this is probably the exception. It is very helpful to be able to remove the smokebox for maintenance later on, whatever you decide.

I think it is usual practice to fix boiler and smokebox together with about six small countersunk screws, any gaps can be filled with a high temperature silicone sealer.

In answer to a query by Bill Dawes on Emma-Victoria with regards to Boiler Fixings. My normal practice is to put three brass csk. screws thro' the barrel where it fits over the Smokebox Ring, one at the top and one at either side, these being tapped into the ring. 6 BA is sufficient for this purpose. I apologies to Bill for not picking up this query sooner on the Forum.

H.Wood