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Replacement Radiator vent doesn't seat well

agiledan
agiledan Posts: 6
in Strictly Steam
I'm slowly replacing some of my tired old Barnes and Jones radiator vents with vent-rites (which I've been very pleased with). I just unscrewed an old vent, and it took two full turns to get it out. The new vent goes in one and a quarter turns and is then finger tight. I can force it, but I have not much experience with this. Am I likely to crack the radiator? Or break off the the valve stem? I wrapped the threads in some layers of teflon tape, but it seems to make no difference. Should I use pipe dope?

Dear Abby ... what should I do?

Comments

  • agiledan
    agiledan Posts: 6
    Never mind!

    I just swapped the too-tight fitting valve with the valve from a different radiator, and now they both fit just fine. Doh!
  • BobC
    BobC Member Posts: 5,502
    Use a die

    A 1/8" NPT die can be used to chase the valves threads. You can exert a reasonable amount of force on the vent, often the last turn is hard., I just use a couple of wraps of teflon tape.  I would never try using a wrench because you could over torque it and break something



    Bob
    Smith G8-3 with EZ Gas @ 90,000 BTU, Single pipe steam
    Vaporstat with a 12oz cut-out and 4oz cut-in
    3PSI gauge

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