The key is nice, clean threads on both the male and female sides, and pipe dope instead of PTFE tape — especially if you go nuts on the number of wraps of tape. The pipe dope will give you a better feel for when the threads are mated correctly.
Bruce
That’s the key.
In the fall I clean up the anode threads on a wire wheel and give it a coat of Rustoleum. I clean up the threads on the HW tank with a wire brush.
Great advice. My dealer's instructions said to leave the anode rod out during the winter. I did, but covered the opening with a small screen to keep critters out of the tank. However, during the winter enough rust/corrosion accumulated to make the wire brush necessary. Even then, it was difficult starting the threads, probably because of the angle, but I finally got it.
For the .01% that may share my joy of installing these things, I have an 'update' of sorts. I came up with a positively genius method to try the next time I'm faced with the task. Magnet!!!!
Armed with a few inch diameter 'rare earth' (I guess that's what they're called) magnets, I'm going to stick some on a metal rod on one end and the anode on the other. They (magnets) support the weight of the anode rod well....just don't know if they will hold enough to let me start the threading.
For the .01% that may share my joy of installing these things, I have an 'update' of sorts. I came up with a positively genius method to try the next time I'm faced with the task. Magnet!!!!
Armed with a few inch diameter 'rare earth' (I guess that's what they're called) magnets, I'm going to stick some on a metal rod on one end and the anode on the other. They (magnets) support the weight of the anode rod well....just don't know if they will hold enough to let me start the threading.
I use some "Rare Earth" magnets at work that will suspend a 1 7/8" box wrench in mid-air. Good luck and let us know how it worked.