American Radiator - cast iron radiator help

Mike T., Swampeast MO

Here's a quote from <A href="http://www.heatinghelp.com/newsletter.cfm?Id=20">Hot Tech Topics</A>

<I>If the old push nipples don't look so hot, get new ones. And don't waste your time shopping around for these because there's only one place you can go: Oneida County Boiler Works (Phone: 315- 732-7914). Give them a call. They’ll want you to send a sample of the old nipple (no matter what condition it's in) and they’ll take good care of you. They regularly helps people all across the country, and they assure me that Oneida is the only company around that still supplies these fittings. "If people could get 'em any closer to home, they wouldn't be calling us!" they say. I believe them.</I>

Note that rads using push nipples MUST have the threaded rods--otherwise the water pressure would just push the sections apart! No rods means the rad is assembled with threaded nipples which for all practical purposes can be considered permanent and non-removable after being in service.

When re-assembling rads I put a fairly thin bead of silicon RTV (room temperature vulcanization) sealant around each end of the nipple about 1/2" from the ends. I have the rad sitting on one end section and add a section. Then I put a piece of hardwood across near the nipple and bang quite forcefully with a mallet (alternating from top to bottom of course). The silicon seems to lube a bit and they'll generally go together fully. Then install the rods--install all rods at once and alternate from top to bottom when tightening.

Dave*hph

Carst Iron radiator help

Does anyone know of anyplace where I can get replacement parts (push-nipples) for an American Radiator. and if so, how do you get the radiator pressed back together? I have taken many of them apart to facilatate the removal, but hav'nt replaced any for may years. I do know that there arn't any rods holding it togeher, just a press fit I think. The radiator is thresded for1-1/2" and it looks like the push-nipples are between 1-1/2" to 2"s I have a customer that has a upstairs radiator that has started leaking. I am from around the Indiananoplis area. Any advise would be apperciated. - Thanks David

tim smith

american radiators

I don't think those are push nipples, I think they are right/left threaded nipples and they are very hard to get out and then back in correctly. There is a company I just talked to in Montreal I think that actually assembles old sections and sand blasts and paints them for clients. OldCastIronRadiators.com. They also carry nips also.