Expert: James Ball - 10/7/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi James!
I live in Windsor Ohio and recently purchased a Napolean 1402 wood burning fireplace insert. I ran into problems when I was cleaning the chimney this weekend.  I was going to take the damper out so I could run the 6" stainless flexible liner but got a surprise when I found that the fireplace itself is in fact one big steel insert with the damper being a part of it.  The problem is that the damper hole is only a 5 inch wide and 24 inch long.  Above that is two steel tube support braces which are of course right in the way giving me only a 5" x 5" hole to get through the center and about the same or less on the sides.
One of my friends suggested either installing it as is (slammer) or sealing up the damper hole somehow with steel and a connection thereby connecting the insert to that.  My other friend suggested cutting some other steel away to get the pipe through.  I am not real sure on this as I don't really know what is behind the steel and am not to keen on cutting the support beams and weakening them.
Do you please have any suggestions for me.  I would like to run the liner so it is properly installed and is the most efficient but don't want to weaken the chimney insert by cutting it up.
Thanks!
Jerry

ANSWER: Hello Jerry, I think you have the wrong stove. in order to run an insert in a "Pre Fab" unit both have to be rated for it, if not then you could cause a fire. do not "slam it" and DO NOT CUT IT the pre fab.
you may have to get another insert.
sorry
James Ball

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the response James!
How would I know what type of pre fab insert it is or what stove to buy?  My house is a century home originally built in 1858.  They added to it in the early 1920's and I think that is when this insert was put in.

Answer
ok it sounds like you have a "heatolator" box with 4 air vents in front of the fireplace?
I would have a local Certified Chimney Sweep (www.csia.org, there you can look up by zip code to find one near you) take a first hand look at what you have. they might be able to find a way to line this that I can't from what you describe.
James