Replacing Sections in American Peerless Radiator

cameron52 · February 28

I'm restoring a beautiful old house with a hot water radiant heat system. Unfortunately, the powder coaters tipped over one of the radiators and it broke several of the sections. I've found a donor radiator of the same model that I can scavenge radiator sections from to replace the broken sections.

The radiator is a Standard Peerless 4 column 38" tall 16 section radiator manufactured in the nineteen teens. Each section is 3" wide. I understand from the original literature on the radiators that the threaded nipples are 2" in diameter.

I've done enough research to understand how they come apart and to know that I need a special tool to turn the threaded nipples. I also know that I need new gaskets for the sections I take apart.

I've found a few sources for gaskets and tools, but am uncertain what tool and what size gaskets I need.

Anyone know?

(I know this may not be an easy solution and I'm okay with taking that risk.)

mattmia2 · February 28

i don't think that there are gaskets between sections, it is usually just dope on the left right nipples. you probably will have to cut the old nipples out and have a machinist make new nipples on a lathe. those are pretty plain radiators, there are similar radiators available new from castrads and us boiler.

psb75 · February 28

Those breaks are unfortunate. Good that you did the research. I have done this kind of fix on radiators with smooth (unthreaded) push-nipples i.e. swapping out and putting in sections. I don't believe I would try with L, R threaded nipples. That would be best done by a very experienced person in a shop with ALL of the proper tools and parts. Putting together, building new radiators with new materials and proper tools at the factory is one task, fussing with "long-in-service" radiators and old parts—is a whole 'nuther game. I like the suggestion above of you finding other vintage radiators and testing them and putting them back in service. There are lots of vintage radiators out there "begging" for a home. If you take on this repair task, tool-up and are successful…you should go into business! Save the old radiators!

murphyc122265 · May 25

I'm curious whether this happened and whether there are additional thoughts or suggestions, please. I'm facing a similar situation, same radiator style, though I just want to shorten an existing radiator by removing a… "column" (?).