Steam radiator with L threading and radiator valve with no spud and locking nut

jwall

What should I do? I ordered a refurbished steam radiator with a steam valve. I got a very nice radiator that had left threads. Is this common? The vendor sent the 126 TPW 1" angle steam valve with a 1" x 2" L thread nipple. Apparently they do not make a 1" spud with locking nut anymore.

EBEBRATT-Ed

Pictures?

mattmia2

The only place I can think of that radiators have left hand threads is between the sections where they use left-right nipples to screw the sections together.

Jamie Hall

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1811179#Comment_1811179

That's what I was thinking too. Something is wrong here. Not just the thread. The spud which goes into the radiator comes with the valve. They are matched. No locking nuts are involved, except the union nut.

wallacej

20240917_171242.jpeg

wallacej

My plumber couldn't find a part in Calgary to connect this properly but was able to connect it with the left/ right nipple (sent with the radiator valve) as per the picture. It is 1” pipe. I don't understand why the vendor would refurbish a radiator with left threads when this is not standard.

Grallert

That's all wrong. You need a right angle radiator valve/stop for steam. It will have a union and radiator spud. all a unit. Remove the black nipple from the painted bushing and install the spud and nut. Remove that valve and install the correct valve. I don't have a picture but they're easy enough to google.

Grallert

ethicalpaul

Oh I see now. He's calling the union a left hand thread

Jamie Hall

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1811578#Comment_1811578

OMG.

mattmia2

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Matco-Norca-BARVY-1000-1-FIP-x-Male-Union-Steam-Angle-Radiator-Valve-4648000-p

wallacej

Yes, the union into the radiator bushing is a left thread. So, do I leave it or should I attempt to find a radiator valve with a L thread spud. Are left thread spuds available? It seems to be working as is, but are there any future issues that I should consider?

ethicalpaul

You buy a new valve, which will include the parts you need, such as this one that @mattmia2 put in his earlier reply:

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Matco-Norca-BARVY-1000-1-FIP-x-Male-Union-Steam-Angle-Radiator-Valve-4648000-p

Tommi68

We have several rads piped like this. The nipples are usually 2, 3 or 4" with LxR threading; when the nipple is tightened, it tightens into the rad and valve. Similar to LxR radiator bungs. This arrangement eliminates the union, but does make maintenance difficult on old rads.

Is the valve a R thread?

jwall

Thank you Tommi68. Yes, the valve is R thread and the radiator bushing is L thread. So buying a new valve does not seem to make sense at this point.

JohnNY

I've had radiators over the years that have had left hand threads in the end-section castings. I've had to source L-R bushings to make them work with standard valves.