Most times when we post a DIY install

Steamhead

We're documenting an exercise in what not to do. This one is different.

I had a call today out in Burkittsville, MD, which is roughly southwest of Frederick (BTW, the town was originally called Blair, and this is where the Blair Witch Project movie was filmed). Originally it was to look over a one-pipe steam system to work our usual magic on it, making it more efficient. But some time ago, the owner discovered that his 7-year-old Burnham V-8 boiler had a hole in it. Pics of that boiler show the usual piping mess.

Steamhead

The V8 was still under warranty, and Burnham provided a MegaSteam 629 as a replacement. Of course, the near-boiler piping had to be upgraded as well. The owner said he had experience putting threaded steel pipe together and was sure he could handle it. So, as busy as Gordo and I were, I gave him the part number for the piping kit and sent him this link so he could see what the job should look like:

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/148292/megasteaming-by-the-river

And this is what I found when I got there. I'd hire this guy:

Steamhead

There are a couple of things that need upgrading. First is the Romex dropping through space to the boiler. The one you can't see is that the rear takeoff should be 2-1/2", since the main is that size, and the last couple radiators on that main are a bit weak as a result. The old boiler had a 2" hookup to that main and I can't fault him for not changing it now. That house was real cold.

The burner situation was interesting, to say the least. When replacing a V8 with a MegaSteam under warranty, Burnham apparently doesn't provide a new burner chassis- just the air tube assembly. You have to put the new air tube on the existing chassis. So I had to check and correct the Z dimension. Also, the new air tube assembly was apparently made before they changed the nozzle/pressure spec, so I had to change them too. But once all that was done, it tuned up great.

I also upgraded the main vents. The long 2-1/2" main had a relatively new Gorton #1 and the short 2" one had a Hoffman #4A. I moved the #1 to the short main and put a Gorton #2 on the long one- had to use a face bushing to make it fit. Obviously the system heated faster and more evenly after that.

We'll be back in the spring to flush and skim it, and do the yearly service. I'm very interested to see how clean it stays inside and how much less oil they use.

BobC

That homeowner did a great job on the piping and that along with your expertise should put him in clover as far as oil bills go.

Bob

DanHolohan

Great story! Thanks, Steamhead.

Gsmith

>We'll be back in the spring to flush and skim it, and do the yearly service. I'm very interested to see how clean it stays inside and how much less oil they use.

Love that philosophy, looking out for the customer's whole best interest. You put the pro in steam pro.

Steamhead

Thanks- that's why we're here.