Cast Iron Radiators

[Veggie Dave]

Ever had one of those days, where something simple manages to beat you?

I went to install a couple of cast iron radiators today but failed miserably in removing the old fittings. The original bush in the radiator appears to be welded in place and the shank with the compression fitting to attach to the valve is too deep for my tool to be able to engage the internal pins, so I can't even remove that.

A pro refurb company are supposed to be phoning me back but haven't. When I've installed old cast iron radiators in the past they've always been refurb'd - au naturel is a new experience for me.

Any advice gratefully received...

 

[SimonG]

Old valve back on and keep tightening until it moves.

 

[SimonG]

Hacksaw through it.

I hacksawed one once and now just do the tighten old valve on.

 

[Veggie Dave]

Sadly I don't have the old valves - I did ask but there's no way to get hold of them.

Hacksaw? Hmm, you have more guts than me. If I knew I could repair any damage caused by doing this if it went wrong then I'd give it a go, but I don't so I daren't.

 

[IDCHAPPY]

You could possibly apply some heat to it from a blow torch to see if that helps loosen it up?

 

[Chalked]

Plenty of heat on the bush. I do the same to the wife. :50:

 

[Veggie Dave]

You could possibly apply some heat to it from a blow torch to see if that helps loosen it up?

I considered this but the bushes seem to be welded in place, or sealed with something that hardens (I wondered if someone had got the JB Weld out at some point in the past) so I don't want to just steam in with heat and breaker bars.

 

[Chalked]

Get the bush glowing red and it will expand. ,! Not another euphemism !

 

[Mike Jackson]

Cut through the nut and split it off. Stillies on the shaft.

 

[Best]

Agree, cut through the nut opposite sides with a junior hacksaw with brand new blade & split it off, then heat with a torch & use grips with long handles. Any old rad valve might fit that nut though.