Change spud diameter on 1-pipe steam radiator?

rainbowlazer

Hi all, I've got a 1-pipe steam system. 

A previous owner removed two radiators from either end of a ~15' x 40' room. One end of the room is closer to the main with a 2" pipe, the other end is near the return with a 1" pipe. I've got the radiator with the larger spud size, but I'd like to reinstall it onto the smaller pipe.

Is it possible to swap out the larger union for a smaller one? If so, what parts would I need to look for? Thanks in advance!

jbmoff

Is that rad with the larger spud BIGGER than the other one? Most piping is sized by the rad size and its EDR.

EBEBRATT-Ed

The spud in the radiator has to match the valve. In other words the spud and the valve are a matched set. Unless you have the original valve to go with the radiator spud you need to buy a new valve and spud . They are sold as a matched set.

rainbowlazer

EBEBRATT-Ed said:

The spud in the radiator has to match the valve. In other words the spud and the valve are a matched set. Unless you have the original valve to go with the radiator spud you need to buy a new valve and spud . They are sold as a matched set.

Right, it's no problem getting the right size valve/spud, the issue is that the pipe where the radiator used to be is a smaller diameter than the current spud. I'm pretty sure it's the right size rad for the location as it matches ones in adjoining rooms.

So I think what I'm imagining is removing the bushing from the radiator, swapping it out with one that will accommodate the right size spud. Does that seem like a good idea?

mattmia2

Check to see if the bushing is left had thread. In radiators that used left/right nipples to hold the sections together sometimes the bushing would be left hand thread. Other than that you can remove the bushing. You would probably have to carefully cut 2 slots almost down to the threads then knock out the wedge between them with a small chisel to get it out.

EdTheHeaterMan

If I am reading this correctly. You have a radiator with a 1-1/4 spud inserted into the 1-1/4 female tapping in the radiator. If that is correct then you should remove the 1-1/4 Spud and install a 1-1/4 x 1 bushing in the radiator and then use a new valve that comes with the matching spud.

If you are worried about leaving some water left in the radiator because of the dimension of the bushing, I would say that is already happening anyway, so what's another 1/4" of water going to do?

EBEBRATT-Ed

Or if you have the 1 1/4 valve and the spud that match and were originally a matched set just put a 1 1/4 x 1 bushing into the bottom inlet connection to the valve and raise the radiator up on some shims

ethicalpaul

so what's another 1/4" of water going to do?

maybe "ping...ping...ping...ping"

EdTheHeaterMan

ethicalpaul said:

so what's another 1/4" of water going to do?

maybe "ping...ping...ping...ping"

As opposed to the "Ping.......ping........ping" of the existing bushing that goes to 1-1/4? Or does 1-1/4 go "Pong..... Pong..... Pong". There is always some water at the bottom of every radiator, they don't drain like a bath tub Paul. If you had a glass section in one of those radiators of yours, you could see that. LOL

EdTheHeaterMan

OOPS... Now Paul will be on line looking for a glass radiator to connect to his system to watch the condensate drain from it.

EBEBRATT-Ed

Maybe the "Dead Men" should have made the radiators with a bottom inlet

mattmia2

EBEBRATT-Ed said:

Maybe the "Dead Men" should have made the radiators with a bottom inlet

Or used an offset bushing.