How do I find my furnace model?

[islander1965]

I am new to the Airstream world and could use some help. I just recently purchased a 1974 Overlander. It has a Therm'x catalytic heater and a Suburban furnace. The Therm'x has a faulty gas valve and I can't find replacement parts anywhere. The furnace appears to have a problem as the pilot lights, but blows out with a puff of flame coming out the inspection hole. I assume a previous owner had problems with the furnace and put in the Therm'x. I want to purchase a new or newer furnace to replace the original.
Thanx

[azflycaster]

A 74 Overlander most likely had a Surburban NT-32FCA.

[outofcontrol]

since I just went out to see what I have, I'll tell you where I found my model number. There's an access door on the interior side of the furnace, I took that off, and read the numbers off a plate inside. It's a Suburban, model N 30M. sorry about the crappy pictures, but it's my cell phone, and they're worth 1,000 words right? -Kevin

[Chuck]

Sounds like the furnace is igniting. Make sure that the thermostat is set to "off", so it doesn't try to run. then light the pilot. then put the cap back on the access port. then you can turn up the thermostat to call for heat. If you try to run the furnace with that cap off, yeah, flames will shoot outta there in a scary fashion.

(I wouldn't assume that the therm'x is there because the furnace was bad; people use these for boondocking situations, when there is limited electricity. The catalytic uses no electricity; the propane furnace uses a LOT of electricity. It can run a single battery down overnight.)

[islander1965]

Thanks for the help. I am glad that I found this forum with people who respond so quickly.

[Mikethefixit]

Islander1965
Get that thing whipped into shape We got alot of campin to do next yr. We missed 9 weeks of good campin this year because of bad axles. We had to wait on Henshen Engineers to reinvent the wheel.
There people from your area and Akron and up by Cleveland that are active with FORUMS Rallys I know U will enjoy them,They are all really great people.
That Furnace might just need a good cleaning and maybe a new thermo couple. Ours also has a Catalytic heater which we like.We used it on the first trip out in April, it came in handy. I have not had our furnace lit yet either. PO left me alot of little souvenirs. I'll explain over a campfire next yr. Remember to open one of the roof vents Cats do use up Oxygen.
Roger