Old Boiler Dry Fired

mikeg2015

Another old American Standard bites the dust. Anyone know how to read the serial number on these? I’m guessing it’s from the 60’s.

I was sent to unplug the galvanized water feed lines and installed a new regulator if needed and do it as quick and cheap as possible. It hadn’t been used in 2 years and the customer didn’t have much money. I would have filled it with a washing machine hose from the water heater nearby first to see if the system had leaks. But that wasn’t my marching orders. Got piping remove, opened up plugged pipes, installed regulator and turned on the water and it of course poured right out of the back above the fire box. Most likely dry fired. I felt guilty about collecting for the full repair... but I was told the customer was told “no guarantees”. thought we should have recovered the regulator at least and knocked off it’s cost. I’m not sure if they will replace it unless a “Community Action” program steps in. (Yes I know, no backflow or flow check... not my call either). On top of that. Boiler doesn’t have a working pressure gauge or temp gauge. Who knows if the PRV works. the Gas valve setup looks sketchy. Never got that far to verify safeties. The pilot was lit before I turned off the gas after I found it was leaking.

mikeg2015

The burners look great too. Sure it would have run just fine otherwise (sarcasm). Yes I know, wrong style regulator. I was told it would work ok. Anyone know if that style works on a boiler?

Steamhead

1950s or late 1940s. What a mess...........

mikeg2015

Wow, older than I thought. Even if I got it running, I’d have suspected there were plenty of other safety issues.

I searched a little more and found a reference on the name “American - Standard” with the “Sanitary” in the name. Was MFG between 1948-1968. Going ot dig more.

EBEBRATT-Ed

and if they didn't neglect it it would still be running

mikeg2015

Did some more digging. Looks like 17th weeks of 1951 is a good possibility with the J letter code based on another post. So 68 years old. My father was 9 years old then for perspective.

retiredguy

They were great boilers when I got into the HVAC service in the late 1960's Things were much simplier then as were the control systems ( think T87F MH thermostats). That gas line regulator was a standard item and should have been removed when the combo gas valve was installed. In the 1st picture, that square cut out above the access panel (removed) was where the tridicator was located. By the way, American Standard was formed when 2 companies, American Radiator and Standard Sanitary combined. Standard Sanitary made toilets. My dad worked for Standard Sanitary when he was a young man.