Removing Heat Tubes in Heatalator Fireplace

[bcnu]

I pulled out the old insert today and wonder what to do now. I want to prep the chimney for an SS liner. However, there are three metal tubes to deal with. Here's what I have:
a 1966 era fireplace that measures about 35" at front of opening and 29" at rear.
a metal liner or jacket, but the fireplace floor is brick.
three metal tubes at top of fireplace that vent through brick about halfway between top of fireplace opening and mantle.
he tubes are evenly spaced at about 8, 16 and 24 inches across the opening

I want to get it ready for a freestanding stove install land liner but the tubes prevent access to the rest of the chimney. It doesn't look like I could remove the metal jacket(or heatolator unit) without a major demolish of the fireplace. The tubes must be about 3" id. and look pretty solid.

Also, as I look up into the fireplace opening I see a pretty good size lever, which I assume is the damper control. I can't budge it right yet. However, using a flashlight I can see the opening to the chimney and it doesn't look like there is any damper. In other words, I can see between the tubes and there appears to be nothing above them except the chimney.

Thanks for your replies.

 

[elkimmeg]

why not sawsall out one metal tube and stick a line in there

 

[reed102]

I just sawed out the center tube on mine and put metal plates over the holes. After it was all said and done I wish I would just cut the whole thing out. It was really difficult to get the 6" liner thru the damper. The chances are slim to none that I will ever change it back to a regular style fireplace.

 

[Shane]

Sawzall works good. Oxycetalyne torch works better. Possibly a metal cutoff wheel though that might be a little difficult to maneuver.

 

[bcnu]

Reed102, when you said the whole thing, do you mean all 3 tubes or the entire metal liner? If I take out just the middle tube will I have enough room to get liner up chimney and then do the block off plate? If a problem then I should take out all three. Right, I don't plan to ever convert back to a straight fireplace so I want to make the (best) changes now.

 

[elkimmeg]

bcnu Got to ask about BC NU I know what that means in my area. I went to NU and hated BC Some people talk how eagles soar I looked at it as chicken on the hill
participated in many BCNU hockey games including the Beanpot. No love lost between schools


The best job it to keep it simple cut what you need and move on

 

[reed102]

Taking out the center tube allowed plenty of room, between the tubes, for the liner. The big problem was getting the liner thru the damper. The flexible liner wasn't as flexible as I thought it was going to be. Of course the job probably would have went easier if I would have had someone to help me. Unless, your set up is different the tube was easy to cut thru with a sawsall. If I replace this insert with a bigger one I will cut out the damper.

 

[zzr7ky]

Hi -

I did this this past Summer. However I measured carefully and cut the back of the unit behind the damper area instead. This allowed me a straight shot to the top, so I was able to install a rigid liner all the way. Very robust, easy to clean.

I just installed a tight bolt and caulcked the existing damper to shut it permently. Cutting the heat tubes and damper is hard and unneccesary. If installing 6" vent there are handy sized coffee cans that can be used to help make your template. I used chalk and cut the hole ~1/4" oversize. I also insulated the vent. It's 17' tall and drafts great. The jackets are 1/4" think and 1/8" thick respectively. I used an Elect hammer drill to remove a little masonry from behind the damper. It took about 10 minutes for each jacket and the masonry. I did sweat it, and measured several times before I cut. It's not a hard as it looked.

I used a SawsAll adn 4.5" Cut Off wheel. Torch is better.

ATB,
Mike P

 

[bcnu]

Elk, short story - BCNU was the name of my father in laws first boat. He took his family on a few trips to Vancouver Is. in the mid 1950's. So it's a bit of a play on words. It's what the boaters would see as he moved on and it also highlighted where he was - British Columbia. He and I went on three trips along the west coast of the Island in the late 80's- so the name serves to remind me of those special times. Dad just turned 90 last week end and he's still in excellent health. Also, I couldn't think of a good fire moniker when I first logged on.

When I look up into the chimney the opening looks huge as it slopes to the rear of the fireplace. Looks like lots of room for liner and I still don't see a damper(maybe I just don't recognize what one looks like). I will also consider cutting the back of the metal fireplace liner to get a straight shot for a ss liner - but it looks like cutting the one tube would be quicker.

 

[bcnu]

Hey Elk, now I have to ask. I assume BC is Boston College but I can't come up with NU. The rivalry sounds a bit like that between we wood stovers. :coolgrin: