Marathon (Rheem) water heater question.

egansen

I am in the process of replumbing my 1910 farm house an am moving the water heater to a new location. The previous homeowner had a Marathon (Rheem) electric water heater with the plastic tank installed. I will say that I am impressed with the performance of it so far. On the inlet side of the tank is a T with a vacuum breaker installed on the side (bull) of the T. As part of my replumbing I want to turn the T on its side with the vacuum beaker on one end and the supply to the heater on the other end. The bull side of the T would go to the inlet of the water heater. I want to do this to make the installation cleaner (less fittings). The manual just says that the vacuum breaker must be installed but the pictures only show it as it is installed.

Can I do this?

Thanks,

Elijah