Toilets, Sinks, Showers, Tubs and Disposals - pipe too short to screw on tub spout

I am trying to replace a gold Delta tub spout that is old and corroded. The problem is, I can't find a replacement chrome tub spout that will fit. The pipe is too short! The distance from the wall of the tub, to the end of the pipe threads is 3.5 inches. Most replacement spouts I have seen require a 4 inch pipe.

Oddly enough, this is apparently by design. The specification for this faucet and spout (http://www.deltafaucet.com/media/Product_Tech_Docs/Maint_Installation/25001to50000/33778_v1_451f.pdf) indicates that if you have a non-chrome spout, the pipe must be between 3-7/16" and 3-9/16 inches! Yet if you want a chrome one, the pipe must be between 3-7/8" and 4".

I really don't want to mess with the plumbing if I don't have to. (copper pipe scares me) And with all due respect to plumbers, I really don't want to call one in just to replace a simple tub spout.

Does anyone have suggestions?

have you tried to unscrew the nipple? you should be able to unscrew the old nipple and screw a longer one in its place. if it is to corroded to unscrew you might be able to use a brass compression fitting to slide over the old nipple and then screw a close nipple into it to get the correct length, if you try that you will probably need to cut the threads off of the end of the existing nipple. measure twice cut once.

remember Murphy was an optimist

I can't unscrew the nipple. It's soldered into a 90 degree elbow back in the wall. (it's 1/2" copper pipe with a male fitting soldered onto the end that the spout attaches).

Many of the replacement spouts I have seen come with 3/4" connection and an adapter to reduce this down to 1/2 pipe. The adapters I have seen that come with these replacement spouts seem to be about 1/2 long. If I could find one of these that is 1" to 1-1/4" long, I might could use something like that to extend the pipe out to where it needs to be. But I don't know if anything like this exists. I haven't gotten to a home improvement store yet... but the two plumbing supply stores I've been to didn't have anything like this. So I'm not holding up too much hope.

It looks like my only choice is to modify the plumbing in some way. I don't mind cutting pipe... it's the soldering torch that scares me. Not only might I not be able to do the seal right and have it leak... I might just melt a hole in the fiberglass tub trying to solder a new piece on.

Anyway, I did find a "universal" tub spout (Danco Universal Tub Spout #88702) that can do something called "1/2 inch copper slip fit". It looks like it uses a combination of plastic parts and an o-ring to form a seal around an open ended piece of copper pipe. I'd need to cut off the existing threads... but that's ok by me if it worked. Anybody used one of these?

One thing that doesn't make sense is there is a hole in the bottom of the replacement spout. I would think this would be to access the set screw on a metal retainer ring included in the kit. But the instructions say to put the screw on the top of the pipe (so you are screwing down to clamp on the pipe) as opposed to putting the screw on the bottom of the pipe (where the hole is and so you are screwing up to clamp on the pipe).

The Danco universal will work just fine, but you will have to cut off the male adapter on your copper stub. Not sure of the instructions regarding the set screw. The ones I have installed tighten from the bottom. There may have been technical changes in the past, so do what the instructions say to do.

There are any number of slip on tub spouts.

Moen is a good example. Uses combination of o-ring with metric set screw for a next to permanent repair.

What I have into with some diverter spouts, water keeps coming out of shower head while filling tub. Cheaper spouts seem to have this problem.

Good luck with your project.