Just Got a Van Wert VA400 Stoker Boiler

jeff115 · Post by **jeff115** » Tue. Oct. 13, 2015 5:42 pm

Just tore apart repainted my new Va400. Any tricks on removing old nipples and plugs they seem stuck good , and it was set up for hot water not steam like I need. With no heat or hot water here in nepa this time of year I have to deal with my wife if you catch my drift .I broke 3 studs on the stoker mounting plate but as a gunsmith with a machinist background I should be able drill and tap em if thats ok? Unfortunately I know nothing about furnaces or steam in general but I have descent mechanical aptitude....lastly I am thinking of maybe having someone help with the install of it anyone know anyone who would be up to plumbing it to existing steam pipes I have a va600 in there now with a bad boiler ?

Post by **Rob R.** » Tue. Oct. 13, 2015 5:54 pm

Seems like old plugs either come out, or you need to drill them out and break it away from the threads. Be very careful working on the stoker hardware, penetrating oil and heat are your friends.

What caused your old boiler to fail? Make sure it is not a system problem...such as excessive make up water. You don't want your new boiler to suffer the same fate.

jeff115 · Post by **jeff115** » Tue. Oct. 13, 2015 6:14 pm

The old boiler failed because it sat for a few years idol when my parents moved to fla then sometime unbeknownst to me or my parents developed a leak around the domestic coil by the time I realized it it was too late