New Valves For Old Radiators

Pete_11

I am building my house and using a hot water system with old cast iron radiators. The radiators are used and unfortunately don’t have valves. What is the best way to remove the old radiator bushings in order to install new valves? The young plumber who is helping me wants to cut off the old coupling nuts with a cold chisel then turn out the bushing with a pipe wrench. I’m afraid if cracking the radiator by banging with a cold chisel. I imagine heat would help but will I cause problems by using too much heat? I’ve tried the tool that fits into the bushing but I keep stripping off the little nubs. What’s the best way? Any advice is appreciated!

Dave Stroman

I would leave the bushings if you can. Be it perhaps too late if you have been working on them with a wrench. I try to turn out just the old union nipple, or with a cold chisel, collapse the nipple in on it's self. I then chase the threads with a tap. Getting the bushings out.... I use a 48" pipe wrench with a piece of 2" black pipe for a cheater. I just bought a large 1" socket set with a long breaker. I am going to try that next. I have not tried heat yet. Worth a try. Heat up the bushing and then hit it with cold water. If all else fails, start chiseling. That's what I do and have had good luck.

Dave in Denver

Andy Morgan_2

Rads

I cut the nut off with a hacksaw or sawzall and then turn the nipple with a pipe wrench. A little heat around, not on, the nipple helps too. To get the bushings out, a big wrench with a pipe and some heat will sometimes get them out. We restored some rads for a new house last year, and one of the guys that work for me has a good welding background. He used a fine tipped Oxy/Acc torch and burned the bushings out, with no damage to the threads in the rad whatsoever. (Just don't cool them with water or they will crack.) Then, just run a pipe tap in to clean the threads .
Before you start removing bushings and plugs, make sure they are not left handed threads, new ones are hard to come by.

Andy Morgan

R. Morgan Mechanical, LLC

Mark J Strawcutter

bushings vs \"spud\"

I think we may be having some confusion here with the term "bushing". I suspect Pete is using the term to describe the "tail" or "spud" that remains in the radiator when the valve union nut is unscrewed and the valve body removed.

Pete - the bushing is what's left in the radiator after the tail/spud is removed. It has large (2in or so) mail threads and smaller (typically 3/4 or 1in) female threads and reduces the large tapping in the radiator down to the valve size tapping.

There are several styles of tools available to remove the tail/spud. I've had good luck with one manufactured by Pasco. Forged and machined, separate one for each size, contacts the "ears" along their entire length. Overnight soaking with PB-Blaster doesn't hurt.

See http://www.fwwebb.com/pdf/2003pasco/pas_c-32.pdf upper right-hand corner of first page (Radiator Spud Key).

Mark