Harold Kestenholz
The decision to change from the original is a matter of preference. I would really be proud to show others the original cast iron; but then I would be happy to live in an original water-powered machine shop and go to work by bicycle.
Continuing the new pipe from a section of the cast iron in the basement should cause no problem. Take note of the location of the circulator and piping arrangements in the drawings at the web site. This is a good time to arrange the piping properly.
http://www.hydronic.net
