Aftermarket block heaters?
02-14-2008, 02:49 AM
#11
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You know, I'd love to see smoeone come up with a system that could take advantage of the Mezierre pump to circulate warm coolant from a block heater...keep the whole block warm uniformly...
02-14-2008, 10:04 AM
#12
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I can tell you that the high wattage freeze plug heaters do a heckuva job. I had one that was installed at the factory on a '78 olds 350 diesel, and it kept the coolant so warm that I had heat from the heater core instantly upon start-up. There was no circulation other than by convection within the engine block and it did not get hot enough to open the thermostat, but came pretty close. As I recall, I had a mechanical temperature gauge on the intake, and the heater kept the coolant above 150F if it was plugged in all night. When it was parked in the driveway and plugged in, snow would melt on top of the hood above the engine.
02-18-2008, 02:16 PM
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How difficult is it to install a frost plug type engine heater?
My current employment situation results in my car sitting outside 24/7. There have been numerous nights around the -20*F range. My 93 Bonnevizzle has started everytime, but I would feel better being able to plug my car in at night.
My current employment situation results in my car sitting outside 24/7. There have been numerous nights around the -20*F range. My 93 Bonnevizzle has started everytime, but I would feel better being able to plug my car in at night.
02-20-2008, 12:47 PM
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Originally Posted by bill buttermore
If I was gonna buy an engine heater, I would want something with at least 500 watts and preferably more. The dipstick heaters I have tried were worthless. And, the magnetic oil pan heaters I have tried have not been much better - not nearly as effective as the 600 watt copper coil type that replace a freeze plug in the block and apply the heat directly to the coolant. Those do a nice job. Notice the magnetic heater you linked is 200 watts.
If you don't want to go to the trouble of pulling a freeze plug and installing a block heater, the next best bet is a lower radiator hose heater. Those are available from the same store for $25 and will put some serious heat into the coolant in the lower radiator hose where at least some of it will convect up to the water pump and engine block.
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductL...goryCode=3057A
If you don't want to go to the trouble of pulling a freeze plug and installing a block heater, the next best bet is a lower radiator hose heater. Those are available from the same store for $25 and will put some serious heat into the coolant in the lower radiator hose where at least some of it will convect up to the water pump and engine block.
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductL...goryCode=3057A
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