@chefn58 and I swapped ashcan setups, my lightly-used 7409-based hardware for new, '15 gear. Just got it installed today and it works great. Added the obligatory 1/4, 1/2 and 1/1 intake markings via Sharpie.
The hose clamps I bought were too small to be easily installed, a maximum of 1 3/4". I only managed to get two on--barely--but the third necessitated bowl removal for better access. And yes, I'd bent back the tops of the tabs on the ashcan ring. (thank you,
@mike.stavlund for that previous tip.)
So out came some tools and minor cursing in the rain but got it all done in time to cook dinner on it. Looking at this, it's the same type of stuff I was doing 25-30 years ago with my Chevy, only on a smaller scale and this beast cooks delicious food instead of tires. A fair trade IMO.
Pre-cleanup:
But the hardest part by
far was installing the 7444 ash sweeps. I just don't see how that's supposed to be a 1 person job. Had a heck of a time pushing the blade centers in far enough so that the underside hole could extend far enough. Managed to grab the dangly bits with pliers and pull while pushing in the rod ... if they only put a small bevel on the tip of the rod it would help? Coulda used a third hand. So yeah I'm whining about that, but it's exactly the sort of annoyance that causes Regular Citizens to trash their grills and go buy something else.