On Mon, 18 Feb 2008 10:55:41 -0800 (PST), N8N wrote:
I have yet to see a drain valve for a water heater that didn't screw
into the tank with a 3/4" pipe thread. I imagine the Sears rep just
told you it wasn't replaceable to keep you from messing with it.

Or he didn't know and he was just hazarding a guess disguised as fact.\
This reference says they can be replaced with a ball valve.
http://www.high-performance-hvac.com...ance-tips.html


Q6: How much space should be left between the walls and the heater?
Your installation instructions should have that info.

THey say six inches but the old one was less than half that.