How do I reinstall a cast iron radiator?

robgettings

Hello All:
Thanks so much for answering my last thread on "How do I remove the rusty valve from an old cast iron radiator? "

My floors and radiators are now refinished. They look great and are ready to go back in!

One question, I have new valves, a spud wrench, and my trusty 18" wrench, but need to know, am I supposed to treat the threads with pipe dope or something similar before tightening?

Thanks all!
Rob

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Mark Potter

Yes Sir! Pipe dope & Teflon put the Teflon on the male treads the opposite way that you are going to tighten the fitting. I recommend blue monster Teflon.

H|P Capital

robgettings

I looked it up: Blue Monster Teflon Tape (1/2 inch X 1429 Inches).
Looks like a great product - the literature says to use it in place of pipe dope. I'll try it and post the results in a month or so when I fire up the furnace.
Thanks Mark!
~Rob

Mark Potter

No problem! Yeah you can use it in place of pipe dope or you can use it together
Doesnt hurt any. Best of luck with it let us know how you make out.

H|P Capital

TheEplumber

It takes fewer wraps than standard Teflon tape their pipe dope is good too.

Mark Potter

Thanks for pointing that out Eplumber I forgot it is thicker then regular white teflon.

H|P Capital

robgettings

Hello All:
Thanks for all the advice and support. Last night me and two beefy friends manuvered my radiators in place and I reinstalled them, using teflon tape on the male threads, followed by a little plumbers putty (is that the same as "pipe dope?"). We bled the air and fired up the boiler, now the place is toasty warm, just in time for winter!

My one pucker-inducing moment was with the spud wrench getting the old value out. The ears on the inside of the valve broke off. I cut the nut off then applied heat and a pipe wrench. The piece bent badly but didn't break, and it finally eased out, letting me install the new valve.

Phew!
Cheers,
Rob