Or you can use lampwicking(a type of string plumbers used years ago and you can get it at a real plumbing supply).Even if the threads are crappy the string will swell and seal the joint when it gets wet.Start it at the end of the fitting and wind it in the threads.
DON
But I would chase the threads first.
Basic Plumbing Problem
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Freddy
- Member
- Posts: 7301
- Joined: Fri. Apr. 11, 2008 2:54 pm
- Location: Orrington, Maine
- Stoker Coal Boiler: Axeman Anderson 130 (pea)
- Coal Size/Type: Pea size, Superior, deep mined
What a job! Congrats on outsmarting that nasty thing. Good gosh, they sure can be frustrating. All good advice on putting it back together. Remember a fitting of that size needs about the same amount of muscle going back together as it took to get it apart....but you can skip the heat. 
I like the idea of a union in case it does need tweaking. Put the union in after you've reduced the size. You'd need a second mortgage and a co-signer to buy a 3" union. 
I like the idea of a union in case it does need tweaking. Put the union in after you've reduced the size. You'd need a second mortgage and a co-signer to buy a 3" union. 
Sh!t, now I read these good ideas. It's together, bushing, shut off ball valve and air purger. The threads actually cleaned up well. I used the fitting to clean out the threads. Quarter turn in, back it out, clean off the crud and do it again. It took a couple of hours but this is a time and material job, my time and I get to buy the material. When I put it together I was able to get 4 1/2 turns freehand and yes Freddy I sleeved my 18" wrench with a 5' piece of pipe. I'm not as strong as I used to be.
I gotta tell ya, I'm way over budget, behind schedule, and my garage looks like a bomb went off in it. My stress level is pretty high, my "design" is mostly from the info I got here and from a couple of books and to tell you the truth I haven't had this much fun in a lot of years. I guess I'm just a sick little old fart.
When I put it together I was able to get 4 1/2 turns freehand and yes Freddy I sleeved my 18" wrench with a 5' piece of pipe. I'm not as strong as I used to be. I gotta tell ya, I'm way over budget, behind schedule, and my garage looks like a bomb went off in it. My stress level is pretty high, my "design" is mostly from the info I got here and from a couple of books and to tell you the truth I haven't had this much fun in a lot of years. I guess I'm just a sick little old fart.