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Need a shorter 1/2" black pipe extension

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tmw
tmw Member Posts: 63
in Strictly Steam

Hi All-

Been a while since I posted here. My early 30's ARCO vapor system still runs like a charm.

A friend installed some flooring a few years back and instead of asking me how to reinstall the radiator on top of a newly raised floor, he drilled holes. I know…..

Anyway, the radiator has been leaking and I pulled it out yesterday and sealed it with JB weld.

I used pipe extensions and will get some nice pedestals after flooring is fixed.

Problem: I'm unable to get an incline towards the return. I wedged some stuff in there until I get it sorted. Does anyone make a super short 1/2" pipe extension? The one pictured in the return measures about 1 5/8". Or can I make something?

TIA

IMG_6065.jpg IMG_6066.jpg

Comments

  • Intplm.
    Intplm. Member Posts: 2,795

    Why not get rid of the thread extender? Does the pipe have any play in it? Will it pull up or down on/in the floor?

    tmw
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 19,172

    You only have 2 choices.

    1. Leave the rad as is and put blocks under it. A couple of nice stained or painted strips of wood will work or
    2. Remove the old risers on both ends supply and return and have new longer ones cut and installed

    You should put some temp block under that so its not sitting in the air.

    tmw
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 15,067
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1873880#Comment_1873880

    Or get some wall brackets and hang it from the wall.

    tmw
  • tmw
    tmw Member Posts: 63

    The intake pipe at the valve end had play that I maxed out. No play in return. Without thread extenders, rad will sit back in holes where it was before. And the flooring by the valve end is soaked and rotting from prolonged leaking. So I needed to get it out of those holes and off the floor a bit. I'll put a piece of metal (or something thin and strong) under the rad, then put the feet on pedestals. This is temporary until I can get to that floor and repair it.

    The issue is the angle—-I need a bit more of a decline to the return end but cannot get it with this set up.

    thanks

  • Intplm.
    Intplm. Member Posts: 2,795

    As a temporary fix, some wood and shims as needed.

  • tmw
    tmw Member Posts: 63

    yes, that's what I'm doing now. Will stabilize the feet tomorrow

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 15,067

    especially with 2 pipe unless the tilt toward the supply is extreme, i wouldn't worry too much about pitch toward the return. as long as there isn't so much water that it blocks the return from venting air it isn't likely that the small amount of water in the bottom of the radiator will cause banging.

    tmw
  • Big Ed_4
    Big Ed_4 Member Posts: 3,334

    That return adapter looks a bit funky , I would replace it ..

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

  • tmw
    tmw Member Posts: 63

    please forgive my ignorance….but which piece is the return adapter?

  • tmw
    tmw Member Posts: 63
    edited November 24

    "especially with 2 pipe unless the tilt toward the supply is extreme, i wouldn't worry too much about pitch toward the return. as long as there isn't so much water that it blocks the return from venting air it isn't likely that the small amount of water in the bottom of the radiator will cause banging."

    Good to know, thanks. No banging, it's always been a silent system that heats up and stabilizes between 2-3 ounces. But I'd like to get as much water out of it as I can. Possibly water pooling over the decades has caused the rust and leak in that area..

  • Big Ed_4
    Big Ed_4 Member Posts: 3,334

    The elbow near the bottom ,right side.. Chewed up and I think I see teflon tape around the union .. Looks like there was a problem . Hate to see you put in the work twice …

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

    tmw
  • tmw
    tmw Member Posts: 63
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1873925#Comment_1873925

    Yes, got it. There was some teflon tape wrapped around the body and not the threads, for whatever reason?(!). But the compression fitting seems to be nice and tight. The compression elbow looks like an original ARCO piece. If I replace it in the future I guess I'd need a matching return spud? I've replaced spuds by the inlet. Is the outlet the same? Spud wrench, cheater pipe, etc….

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 15,067

    the union in the return elbow is a matched set just like any other union.(if that is just an ordinary return elbow, some vapor systems had special return elbows)

    tmw
  • tmw
    tmw Member Posts: 63

    Thanks everyone-

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