Installing replacement water heater

[55AS]

Replacing a 1964 Bowen with a new 6 gallon Atwood.
Two questions:
1. Instructions suggest using plastic fittings for water lines but I wanted to convert to Shark Bite so I used brass. I used pipe thread lubricant and tightened them up pretty well. Have not leak tested yet. Anyone use similar fittings and want to share their results?
2. I boxed in the heater since it was smaller than the opening and wanted to seal it in with butyl tape (less messy than Sikaflex) but the only butyl at Home Depot was a product called Protecto Wrap. It is a wide tape used to seal windows and claims to be waterproof and vapor proof. Very easy to use and forms a nice seal but have not heard of anyone else using it. Anyone?

[overlander19]

BambiTex,
I am still working on a bathroom overhaul on my 1970 overlander. I also switched sizes of water heater (10 gal Atwood hole to 10 gal Suburban) but did not use the wrap as you have pictured. I used the ProtectoWrap to separate different types of metals (steel from aluminum etc...) I'll try to send photo. I think Menards has butyl tape in 3/4 inch width.

[mariusg78]

I used brass fittings on my tank and it has worked just fine. No leaks, etc.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Airstream Forums mobile app

[55AS]

Field test this weekend showed that Protecto Wrap is not ideal for the area directly above water heater "chimney". It melted from the heat and the black rubbery stuff dribbled down over chimney. Need to trim off the wrap in that small area and seal with something more heat resistant...

[55AS]

Metal foil tape (rated at 230F) seems to do the trick. BTW "Goo Gone" dissolves the melted rubber quite nicely.