05-01-2018, 05:50 PM
Gary, after my post about the K4 cylinder chest I had to go down to the workroom to verify if I was remembering things correctly. Here's what I found...
The first cylinder chest I came across was in my parts box and it did not have the brass bushings, but is a K4/L1 cylinder chest.
![[Image: 20180501_191616_zpsgfm8cen0.jpg]](http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j358/bowser0227/20180501_191616_zpsgfm8cen0.jpg)
Which made me look at a K4 kit I have down in the workroom. This one had the bushing.
![[Image: 20180501_190038_zpsuyhyycp9.jpg]](http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j358/bowser0227/20180501_190038_zpsuyhyycp9.jpg)
So, I checked out all my Mikados, but none of them had the bushing. But the cylinder chests are identical. So, I looked at one more K4 I have. This time no bushing???
![[Image: 20180501_185419_zpsuxsfqr1b.jpg]](http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j358/bowser0227/20180501_185419_zpsuxsfqr1b.jpg)
Conclusion(maybe): I believe in the early 90's Bowser retooled they're castings (at least this should be true with they're boilers) to make them more prototypical and maybe the bushing represents a feature on a real K4. The cylinder chest you have maybe of a newer product run. On a Bowser I1 kit I have in the workroom I noticed the bushing on it's cylinder chest, and I know this kit is from the 90's. Other thought, maybe the bushings were installed on fouled castings of the cylinder chests. To replace a inaccurate hole. I understand this is less likely, but just a thought.
As far as removing the bushing, can you work at the bushing maybe with a pair of side cutters...Gently working and prying the bushing out. Worth a shot.
The first cylinder chest I came across was in my parts box and it did not have the brass bushings, but is a K4/L1 cylinder chest.
![[Image: 20180501_191616_zpsgfm8cen0.jpg]](http://s1081.photobucket.com/user/bowser0227/media/20180501_191616_zpsgfm8cen0.jpg.html)
Which made me look at a K4 kit I have down in the workroom. This one had the bushing.
![[Image: 20180501_190038_zpsuyhyycp9.jpg]](http://s1081.photobucket.com/user/bowser0227/media/20180501_190038_zpsuyhyycp9.jpg.html)
So, I checked out all my Mikados, but none of them had the bushing. But the cylinder chests are identical. So, I looked at one more K4 I have. This time no bushing???
![[Image: 20180501_185419_zpsuxsfqr1b.jpg]](http://s1081.photobucket.com/user/bowser0227/media/20180501_185419_zpsuxsfqr1b.jpg.html)
Conclusion(maybe): I believe in the early 90's Bowser retooled they're castings (at least this should be true with they're boilers) to make them more prototypical and maybe the bushing represents a feature on a real K4. The cylinder chest you have maybe of a newer product run. On a Bowser I1 kit I have in the workroom I noticed the bushing on it's cylinder chest, and I know this kit is from the 90's. Other thought, maybe the bushings were installed on fouled castings of the cylinder chests. To replace a inaccurate hole. I understand this is less likely, but just a thought.
As far as removing the bushing, can you work at the bushing maybe with a pair of side cutters...Gently working and prying the bushing out. Worth a shot.