Welcome! Here are the website rules, as well as some tips for using this forum.
Need to contact us? Visit https://heatinghelp.com/contact-us/.
Click here to Find a Contractor in your area.

Beckett Burner for old A. Standard

Stephen Bentley
Stephen Bentley Member Posts: 3
in THE MAIN WALL
I have a old American Standard Boiler from the 1950's (series: 3BM J2) with a American Standard Burner (model: PH2-5). I would like to replace the old A/S burner with a modern Beckett Burner. I checked Becketts catalog but my model is not listed in their Spec Guide. The A/S boiler spec shows 75mbh and .95 gph. I can get the burner through my company if I know the model to purchase. I plan on having a qualified serviceman install and tune it. Any suggestions?
thanks for your time
Stephen

Comments

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,754
    An AF should be fine

    You may need a new chamber too, depending on the size and condition of the existing one.

    BTW, I could't find that boiler model series in any of my references- is there a model name on it?

    To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Stephen Bentley
    Stephen Bentley Member Posts: 3


    The boiler says "Arco Leader Boiler". series 3BM J2 number A1 3P.
    The fire box was inspected the last time it was serviced and the guy said it looked great. My concern is if the new burner will bolt to the old cast-iron plate.
    thanks for checking!
  • J.C.A._3
    J.C.A._3 Member Posts: 2,980
    Get a universal mount and gasket,

    And they will fit at least 2 mounting bolts. If the chamber is made of firebrick, I would suggest a Lynn head cover for the burner,if it will fit The heat coming back on shutdown from hard brick leads to a rather short life for the F heads. If it is a wet base boiler, consider a "quickie chamber", and set the burner depth as suggested by Beckett.(Back a quarter inch from the face of the firebox.)

    Like Steamhead, I'm not sure of the configuration of this particular boiler, but have retro-fitted so many Becketts in Arco products that I'm SURE it can be done. Just keep in mind that this is a "stop-gap measure". If you want to save some real money in the long run, it's time for a boiler. I know money is a factor,and they were great boilers but think about the fire kissing all the right spots in a new boiler and giving the heat up to the vessel as opposed to the flame waving at the water jacket on the way up the chimney.Combustion effeciency is NOT the same as system efficiecy. Something to think about....Chris
  • kevin coppinger_4
    kevin coppinger_4 Member Posts: 2,124
    well if the burner....

    needs replacing and the whole unit is half a century old...have you looked into changing out the whole boiler? At least have a few estimates...might pay for itself in a shourt period of time.....kpc

    To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,754
    From what I've been able to find out

    the Arcoleader was a vertical-flueway hot-water-only boiler not unlike the A3 series. If this is the case, it would benefit from a better burner and should show decent efficiency when upgraded. Just make sure you clean the flue passages (inside hatchway on side of boiler) before installing the new burner.

    The burning question here is how long will that boiler last? This is always an unknown factor, but we do see lots of old A-S boilers out there in good shape, still running.

    To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • jbplumber
    jbplumber Member Posts: 89
    burner

    hate to see you buy a new burner when next week you may need a new boiler. remember boilers die from the inside out. Best Wishes J.Lockard
  • Stephen Bentley
    Stephen Bentley Member Posts: 3


    I just wanted to thank everyone for thier help.
    THANKS!! Stephen
  • Rodney Summers
    Rodney Summers Member Posts: 748
    2b-J2 Series ARCOLEADER Boiler

    need new firebox... anyone help me??
  • Rodney Summers
    Rodney Summers Member Posts: 748
    2b-J2 Series ARCOLEADER Boiler

    need new firebox... anyone help me??
  • Rodney Summers
    Rodney Summers Member Posts: 748
    2b-J2 Series ARCOLEADER Boiler

    Subject boiler needs new firebox... Can anyone help me??
  • Steamhead (in transit)
    Steamhead (in transit) Member Posts: 6,688
    Is there

    an A1- number on it?
  • Rodney Summers
    Rodney Summers Member Posts: 748
    Arco Leader Boiler

    I have an Arco Leader Boiler, it has been working properly until yesterday. the boiler turns on and head the water but my base board radiators are cold as an ice. Has anyone had this problem? Should I replace the boiler or is it something that can be fix.
  • Steamhead (in transit)
    Steamhead (in transit) Member Posts: 6,688


    > I have an Arco Leader Boiler, it has been working

    > properly until yesterday. the boiler turns on

    > and head the water but my base board radiators

    > are cold as an ice. Has anyone had this problem?

    > Should I replace the boiler or is it something

    > that can be fix.





    To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"
  • Steamhead (in transit)
    Steamhead (in transit) Member Posts: 6,688
    Sure it's fixable

    but you need a pro to do it. The problem is likely in the system rather than the boiler itself. Try the Find a Professional page of this site. If you're in the Baltimore area, contact me.

    To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"
  • Nick L. in Vt
    Nick L. in Vt Member Posts: 87
    no circ?

    check your system's water psi and if the circ is operating
  • Rodney Summers
    Rodney Summers Member Posts: 748
    Circa of Arcoleader Boiler 4B J4

    image

    Recently I am in the process of selling my 1916 farmhouse. The buyer's inspector stated that my furnace is original to the house which I don't believe.

    On the furnace is a plate stating "Arcoleader Boiler" with the model number as "4b J4"

    Can you provide any information when this model was first produced?
  • Scott Kneeland
    Scott Kneeland Member Posts: 158


    American Standard was the leader in my corner of Connecticut however, why would anybody want to retrofit one in 2006. We did many of these in the 80' and the only real gain was cleaner running, most still had stack temps around 600. At almost $3.00 a gallon for fuel you won't be doing anyone a favor. I won't be a enabler any longer if you want to upgrade only a burner call someone else. I might be in a different situation I only service exhisting customers that we have serviced for years. I have fired the rest.

    To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"
  • Weezbo
    Weezbo Member Posts: 6,231
    i think you got good advise

    that is a long standing piece of iron. bringing your boiler side of the system up to this century will provide you some comfort.when the price of fuel goes 6$ agallon you will be thinking 'Man ,that was a good thing to send to the recyclers'*~/:)
    who knows maybe it will be someones CHP some day :)

    thats a gizmo that produces electric power and heat....it is pretty high on the energy fast track at the momment...
  • Steamhead (in transit)
    Steamhead (in transit) Member Posts: 6,688
    That boiler

    dates back to the 1940s or 1950s, according to some ASHVE Guides that I have. It's definitely not original to your 1916 house.

    To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"
  • Al Gregory
    Al Gregory Member Posts: 259


    Does the old burner bolt to the boiler or is it a hanging flange
This discussion has been closed.

Categories