UDS Improvements

[fatirishman53]

Ok, so I'm tightening up the conduit nuts on the pipe nipples for my air intakes, and I get to thinkin "there has to be a better option here." Now I've found some steel -12 AN to 3/4" NPT fittings for around $3-$5 per which would allow me to use a standard nut to tighten the fitting to the barrel. However, they are either zinc or yellow dichromate coated. Anyone have any idea where I can get these fittings in plain steel? Any other ideas are certainly welcome.

Here is a visual of what I am talking about:

[tacklebox]

I would just buy the galvanized ones and give a good long soak in plain white vinegar or muriatic acid, rinse them off in a baking soda/water solution, soak in acid again, then take a wire brush/wheel to them, rinse again and you should be fine. Just make sure to work in a well ventilated area, or wear an organic respirator. JM2C
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[whitey]

Take the flame thrower to them or toss them in the yard fire till its all burnt of.
Dont inhale..
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[mnmgri4]

Black pipe with a little JB weld on the threads, applied before you screw it in works great. It will seal the seam around the threads and hold it tightly in place.

[Teleking]

[fatirishman53]

Thanks for the suggestions, gentlemen! Unfortunately, availability of the nuts for this particular AN thread are pretty slim. I'm going to consult a local machine shop about fabricating a fitting of my own design. I guess its back to the drawing board .

[fatirishman53]

[Teleking]

[SVonhof]

I was gonna use ball valves, but have a really nice Refrigerator magnet from a local radio station I will cut up.

I may go to ball valves at some point, but for now, magnets will work.
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My BBQ's: Weber Silver B (grill), -UDS-, MUDS/Weber Smokey Joe

[jasonstewart]

if you have a local automotive performance shope, id check with them. they usually have an assortment of an type fittings. good luck
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[k.a.m.]

fatirishman53, I weld nipples to flanges that is rolled to the curve of the drum. They are removable and very sturdy.

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Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

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[dheidemann]

[fatirishman53]

[BluDawg]

I used to have a Loose Nipple problem too, Sorry!!
This is how I fixed it:
Cut a Black Pipe Coupling in 1/2
Screw 1/2 onto the Close Nipple
Thread it into the hole of the UDS from the inside
Place 2 1" cut washers over the nipple on the outside of the UDS
secure them with the 2 nd 1/2 of the coupling
To tighten the fitting: Place a pair of Vise Grip Pliers on the inside of the drum so that the adj. screw rests on the bottom of the drum pointing to the right. Tighten from the outside with a pipe wrench.
Worked for me!!
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[fatirishman53]

BluDawg - Nice, I'll have to give that a whirl and see how it works. Thanks! Oh and if you could post a couple pics, I would certainly appreciate it.

[KCcookin]

[chi-town smoker 2]

use a EMT coupling in 3/4" to cut in half as it has a streaght thread on it as a IMP coupling has a taper thread. you cut a IMP coupling in half and you will not get anything to screew in the outher end!



chi-town smoker 2