engine block heater results
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 520
Likes: 0
From: NJ
engine block heater results
Of course I waited till the middle of winter to install a block heater. After thinking about it for a year and looking at the different styles, I picked up a lower radiator hose heater from a local tractor parts store. Of course (again), I didn't get the right size (1.25") until after I drained the coolant and cut the hose - at a friends garage shop. He drove me back to the parts place, which was closed - but their business office was opened, and they kindly allowed me to swap for the right size. Oye.
The heater is inline and has a single 600W element. the warmed water flows in the hose up into the block. Since there is no inlet/outlet, I am assuming that cooler water somehow flows back - I dunno.
With the temp around 20 degrees, the block is comfy warm to the touch after about4 hrs on the timer.
The temp gage does not register heat upon start up. But, it only takes about 1 mile or so before warm air starts flowing out of the registers. in about 5 minutes of driving the engine is almost at full temp and driveability (power, smoothness) is noticably better than just after starting.
I looked at the frost plug heater and gave up on trying to get to it. Not until after I put the rad hose heater in did I discover a way to use a tank heater, which I would prefer. The problem with the tank heater is that you need a circuit and they usually want you to tap the block drain plug - another unaccessble location.
However I found a place that sells radiator hose Tee's, that have a 1.25" barrel and a 5/8" tee. That tap would provide the inlet water to the tank and then the outlet could be routed to the heater core return line (back to the top of the block).
For now this works fine, but It would be nice to have real warm air upon start up. Next SEPTEMBER I will try upgrading the heater as described above!
The heater is inline and has a single 600W element. the warmed water flows in the hose up into the block. Since there is no inlet/outlet, I am assuming that cooler water somehow flows back - I dunno.
With the temp around 20 degrees, the block is comfy warm to the touch after about4 hrs on the timer.
The temp gage does not register heat upon start up. But, it only takes about 1 mile or so before warm air starts flowing out of the registers. in about 5 minutes of driving the engine is almost at full temp and driveability (power, smoothness) is noticably better than just after starting.
I looked at the frost plug heater and gave up on trying to get to it. Not until after I put the rad hose heater in did I discover a way to use a tank heater, which I would prefer. The problem with the tank heater is that you need a circuit and they usually want you to tap the block drain plug - another unaccessble location.
However I found a place that sells radiator hose Tee's, that have a 1.25" barrel and a 5/8" tee. That tap would provide the inlet water to the tank and then the outlet could be routed to the heater core return line (back to the top of the block).
For now this works fine, but It would be nice to have real warm air upon start up. Next SEPTEMBER I will try upgrading the heater as described above!
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,439
Likes: 0
From: farmington hills, MI
ive heard the type of heater you have and the tank heater work very well with an electric water pump...Have it so when you plug in your truck the water pump puts the hott water threw out the engine and warms the whole thing up 
just my .02 i dont got one my friend said he did it and it works really good
just my .02 i dont got one my friend said he did it and it works really good