Unusual radiator

Bill_in_Delaware

I'm going to have to order a copy of Dan's book, Every Darn Radiator. In the meantime, does anyone know what the radiator in this picture is called or the purpose for its design?

https://ap.rdcpix.com/46af04683727ae1132d23b347abad781l-m337518135od-w480_h360.webp

kcopp

Looks like a cast iron Weil mclain Radiant convector radiator. The top is missing. Typically it had a sheet metal top.

Steamhead

That's a new one on me- any name on it? Check the areas around where the pipes connect, it's often there.

reggi

kcopp said:

Looks like a cast iron Weil mclain Radiant convector radiator. The top is missing. Typically it had a sheet metal top.

This ?

Big Ed_4

They were installed in the wall , I remember a removable panel in the top section to gain access to the vent ...

random12345

I can't tell looking at that picture. Need to see the front. Found more pictures, starting on page 293:
https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112047386849&view=1up&seq=293&skin=2021

clammy

Weil McLean radiant radiators , they can be recessed and surface mounted . I ve seen them installed on both hot water system w and without pumps and a few steam system . I have one home w about 18 or so . Personally there one of my favorite type of rad of a standard .i find them easier to adjust the height and replacing supply valves over a sun rad ,pia. The hidden air vent can be difficult to change occasionally espically if it needs to be extracted and re tapped but all in all one of my personal favorites in a radiator which the piping is not exposed . I always loved the details of brass screws holding the top down. To bad there not made anymore and people toss them to the scrap heap as I stated so much easier then a recessed sun rad w the adjustable rod legs on each end no shims who could ask for more to bad all this stuff is disappearing and being forgotten . Please remember one thing radiators don’t go bad there only bad when the push nipples rot and it leaks other wise w proper pitch and possible mud build up in-between section ,I say this because I ve seen idiots tell home owner yeah your rad is bad ,charge them a arm and leg throw in a modern radiator and pipe the vent on the wrong side and then state that’s the way steam is while really they didn’t understand that the old rad had a bad vent but the charged and left . I spun the rad around w the vent on the correct side and said you had the wrong guys here radiators don’t go bad as stated above . Beware and enjoy those pieces of time and anyone who says the radiator is bad kindly show to the door there the wrong guys
Peace and good luck clammy

Mad Dog_2

Yes Clammy...Skinned knuckles changing the vents.  Mad Dog 🐕