SPRINKLER TALK FORUM - You Got Questions, We've Got Answers

Okay, I'm digging away to clear my valves to replace them, and I've come across a problem. The valves are all female threaded on both sides, but there is no sleeve or slip collar that will allow me to unscrew the valves. The incoming and outgoing pipes are all cemented to the threaded coupling and to the T. It looks like the only way to get it out is to cut the pipe somewhere. If I do that, then how do I install the new valve--there isn't much room in the box to work with. The T's are all cemented, so I can't replace any parts without ruining what's in there. Those cemented fittings are really blocking every move I can think of. How do I get around this?

Yeah, I considered it, but when you price the solenoids (rusted, splitting) and the diaphragms, it's cheaper to replace the whole thing, plus I get better reliability, etc. These things are really old, so I'd rather just start over, but I find it hard to believe these things are installed in such a way as to make replacement so difficult.