push nipple replacements

JamesC in Stamford CT

Hello,



With some encouragement from folks on this board, I have taken apart one of my 1930s Capitol Radiators (by U.S. Radiators), to replace the push nipple. More photos can be seen at my prior thread at <a href="http://www.heatinghelp.com/forum-thread/137590/New-GovFree-Governale-rad-or-a-2nd-hand-replacement#p1239347">http://www.heatinghelp.com/forum-thread/137590/New-GovFree-Governale-rad-or-a-2nd-hand-replacement#p1239347</a>.



My main concern now is that the push nipples I received in the mail from Oneida Boiler Works appear to be 1/8 inch longer then the old ones (actuually maybe just less than 1/8 inch, but very close to 1/8 inch longer). So while the diameter is exactly the same, the length is longer. I had sent the old one to them in Utica, and they selected the replacement and mailed them all back to me. See photo.



Should I be worried about trying to put it all back together now?



Thanks!

billtwocase

I would say

the diameter would be more a problem than length. The original push nipple has lost some length thru time. It has rotted away. I say go for it

Steamhead

Agreed

but don't force it! If it just doesn't want to go in, forcing it can crack the radiator section. Ask me how I know that..............



You might try some silicone caulk on the nipple and the sockets in the radiator sections where the nipple fits, to make it slide in more easily and help seal the joint.

JamesC in Stamford CT

push nipple replacements

.

ok, thanks, I will try it.



The old push nipple at the top of the radiator is fine -- only the one at the bottom rusted out. But I did purchase a small supply of extra push nipples for future problems -- so in the radiator I have apart right now, should I replace both the top and the bottom push nipple with new, at once, so that the sections go together evenly, in case the differences in lengths would have made the radiator sections crooked?

icesailor

New Nips:

My old (Late) boss used to give lashings to anyone who even had a thought of using a nipple over.

If I had a new one to use, I would use it. I may never have the opportunity to use the spares in my lifetime.

JamesC in Stamford CT

Completed project, push nipple too big, used it anyway

Thanks everyone for all the encouragement with my last thread, I did end up taking apart the radiator, get new push nipples, and put the thing back together. http://www.heatinghelp.com/forum-thread/137590/New-GovFree-Governale-rad-or-a-2nd-hand-replacement



I realized however that the push nipples that I got in the mail from Oneida were longer than the sample one I sent them, but thought I'd see what happens.



Bit of a hassle, the threaded rod was no longer long enough, so I had to buy new. And as you can see, there is an unsightly gap in the radiator between the sections. And the radiator almost did not fit int he recess because of the extra bit of length, I had to force it into place a bit. But the nipples are tight, and there are no leaks. I spray-painted th radiator while I had it out, and made sure the paint went into the gap where the push nipples are.



So, appearances aside, I am happy that the radiator is back in service and that I did not have to buy an entire replacement radiator. While it was apart, I washed it out -- there was so much rusty sediment that I do not think it could have been operating properly. Now it works just fine. Of course, now that the leaky radiator no longer leaked, the pressure got a little higher, so a new leak spring up, on the return line. Thanks to JB Weld. that leak is plugged, and am hoping there are no more.

crash2009

I think it looks great James!

  Looks like the wall got a coat of paint too.  It should be a law that behind the radiators has to be painted once every 100 years.  Sounds like this job fought you all the way.  That must have been a bummer to do all that work and find out it won't fit back the same way.