Can you change a 2-pipe radiator into a 1-pipe radiator?

Boilerpro_3

TWo pipe radiators will heat more or less evenly across the raditor from the top down, no matter how they are connected. However, when the steam works its way down to the air vent, usually about 1/3 up it will close, trapping some air in the bottom of the rad and preventing full heating. With one pipe radiators, steam tends to fill each setion progressively across the radiator until it reaches the last section and then the vent closes. Basically all the sections are completely heated in a one pipe rad used in a one pipe system, however a two pipe rad in a one pipe steam will have a cooler bottom third.

Boilerpro

stevenyc_2

Can you change a 2-pipe radiator into a 1-pipe radiator?

I have a steam system running on oil and the previous owner had jury-rigged a two pipe system on top of the 1 pipe for the basement. He added two 2-pipe radiators to heat the finished basement. I have since removed these radiators and the piping associated with it. My system now runs better and hotter.

My question is. I want to reuse one of the radiators to heat an unheated room. It appears that my boiler is oversized anyway (short cycling) and I was hoping to convert the 2-pipe radiator into a 1-pipe radiator. Is this possible? Is it recommended? Thanks!

Mike T., Swampeast MO

No difference in the radiator itself--merely plug one end tapping. The piping to the radiator is a completely different matter.

Bob W._3

And put a vent on the capped end, of course.