1890s Building: Need Info on Crane Co boiler

HighStBar

I am renovating an 1890 built saloon and boarding house in Denver, Colorado. I have a very old Crane Co. Cat No. 2-6-5 Series B-A boiler that was originally coal burning and then converted to natural gas.

Can anyone give me a year range or more information on this boiler?

Thank you.

Steamhead

is this a steam or hot-water system?

HighStBar

I do not know. It is no longer running as there is a new forced air unit on the main floor that heats the building. There are some radiators left on the second floor, would there be a way to determine what kind of system it is by looking at the radiators? They appear to be as old as the boiler.

Steamhead

Yes. Take some pics and post them here.

mattmia2

That gas pipe floating in mid air is not a good idea. Can't tell if that vent for the water heater is just set in the breach or if it is passing through the wall to connect to something else or is connected to a liner.

HighStBar

@Steamhead Thanks, I'll have to take radiator pics tomorrow

@mattmia2 I agree. The water heater issue came up in my building inspection so we have turned the unit off. I am installing a new boiler for hot water and a hydronic system.

"The water heater exhaust flue utilized an existing exhaust flue. However, it was separate and did not extend all the way to the exterior of the building and could allow exhaust and carbon monoxide to be introduced into the basement."

WayneMech

One of my customers has a Crane boiler much like this one. It is believed to have been installed about 1895. The house was rolled onto its current foundation in that year. One of the logs remains, as part of the support framing. Some of my few remaining hairs are embedded in said log, due to my lack of ability to consistently duck under the thing. The boiler was converted to a thermopile gas burner, many years ago. Hope this helps.

scott w.

Any interesting parts left of the 1890 saloon or has it been remuddled?
Loved to see pics if the saloon is still original.

HighStBar

Radiator photos, sorry about the crappy quality there is no power upstairs.

I do have some photos of the bar but it's not the original saloon. It was renovated sometime in the 70s.

JUGHNE

Do you see any air vents on the rads?
It may have had the build in ones in the trademark plug, the ones with the pinholes.

No painting of the reclining lady above the bar??

HighStBar

I don't see any air vents, looks completely solid all the way around.

We'll have to add the reclining lady after we reno haha.

Steamhead

Someone might have removed the air vents- are there small threaded holes in the radiators on the side opposite the supply valve connection?

HighStBar

Steamhead said:

Someone might have removed the air vents- are there small threaded holes in the radiators on the side opposite the supply valve connection?

Not that I can see, here is a better quality photo link:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/LyoAacNyFzei1Wiu8

Opposite the valve appears to be a bolt head with an old english style P on it identical to the one at the top of the radiator. There are 4 nuts that connect to through bolts. There is also just 1 tiny hole at the first cross section from the bottom. I will have to inspect it again to see if it's threaded it's very small 1/4 inch or less.

I'll try and get some better pictures when I'm there this week. Thanks for the help!

Steamhead

HighStBar said:

......There is also just 1 tiny hole at the first cross section from the bottom. I will have to inspect it again to see if it's threaded it's very small 1/4 inch or less.,,,,,

It's threaded for 1/8" pipe thread. That's where the vent was.