One-Touch Vent Size?

[MacEggs]

I am currently restoring a 1993 red 18. My intention is / was to convert it to a gold.

I just received the ring and bucket from ereplace. Arrived quicker than I thought it would.

It looks as if it may be too small in diameter to cover the intake vents.

The ring measures 7⅝". The vent hole measures 2½" long. Were the vent holes slightly longer on older 18s than current ones?
This is my first 18, so I have nothing to base it on. I may just have to resign myself into making this a OT, and not a gold.  That's a bummer.

Thanks for any help. 

Mark

[mrbill]

for air flow/shut down, the sweeps inside will take care of that. based on what you've shown, when sweeping, there may be a small amount that doesn't go into the pan, but not enough to negate using the catcher imo. a reg ots risks losing some ash to wind, your set up there seems like it'd lose even less than a ots, so again, I wouldn't worry about it.

[Bob BQ]

I added an ash bucket/ring to my '89 L redhead 18.5 a couple of weeks ago and discovered the same issue. IMO, not that big of a deal... I'd rather have a little ash leakage than deal w/ the pan.

[MacEggs]

Thanks so much, guys! I am now convinced ... I will go ahead with my original plans.

I added an ash bucket/ring to my '89 L redhead 18.5 a couple of weeks ago and discovered the same issue. IMO, not that big of a deal... I'd rather have a little ash leakage than deal w/ the pan.

Did you use hose clamps?
I am considering drilling into the leg sockets, then use a sheet metal screw to fasten the ring which would also go into the leg.

[Bob BQ]

Did you use hose clamps?
I am considering drilling into the leg sockets, then use a sheet metal screw to fasten the ring which would also go into the leg.

Stainless steel wire, strung though the leg sockets. Works great, and you practically invisible, unlike the hose clamps (and no need to drill).

[pbe gummi bear]

G had the same issue a few weeks ago.

[glrasmussen]

You'll be fine, go for it!

[Hogsy]

Yes Mac I had the same problem with the ring but its not an issue for me
I fixed mine with a sheet metal screw , it works great, you can't see it and it ain't ever gonna rust out as long as I own it
IMO its a much cleaner looking fix than the hose clamp

[G]

G had the same issue a few weeks ago.

I did and decided to abandon the project.  Your plan will still work though.  It seems Weber had different sized vents during some years.  Im guessing this corresponded to the years they offered an 18" OTG which had the sweeper and ash can system.

[MacEggs]

Thanks for everyone's help and suggestions on this. 

I went ahead and fastened the ring to the bowl. I used a ⅛" drill bit.
Then a ⅝" long self-tapping screw to get it done.
There are some wee openings regarding the intakes and the ring, just as I thought would happen.
I am not very concerned about it. 

[OGlenn]

I posted about the same issue a month or two ago and no one seemed to be aware, or the post wasn't read. Seems the earlier its vents were longer and narrower than current version on 18s.  Ashes will fall outside the bucket, but the grill looks good. Form over function.