source for engine block heaters?

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Your local parts store should have a block heater. Katz is the usual brand if IIRC. Thats what I had in mine (have to replace it)
 
I researched this for while a few years ago. this i what i found.
they have true block heaters, that go into the freeze plugs. the problem with these is they are pressure fit, and anything that pushes in, no matter how tight, is just that...pushed in.
other options were the adhesive "mats" that attach to the oil pan. the problem with this is that your REALLY need to clean the bottom of the pan, and scruff the metal, and use a adhesive to make it stick. my though, anything that clings like a band-aid is ultimatly going to come off, especially under the vehicle.
i settlled on a in-line heater that goes in the lower radiator hose. as it warms up the water, the hydronic action of cycles the water through the system. i have it on a timer that goes on at 3:00am, and off at 6:00 am. i just have to remember to unplug it before i leave.
the car starts on the first try, every time, no matter how cold.
the best part:about 30 bucks from tractorparts.com.
if yours is a 60, the ID of the hose is 1-3/4" its a bitch to put in, since the hose is only abouot 7 inches long to begin with, and you almost have to shoe-horn in the heater.

hammer
 
Mine has a toyota optional block heater, and I set it up on a timer to warm up 2 hours before I leave for work.

But, I've pulled out of the driveway while still 'tethered' a few times.
 
doc,
what was the factory stcok heater? when i was looking, the guys ar cruiserparts and the dealer acted like i was nuts.
 
It 'twas a block heater. Or do you want to know who made it? I don't know the manufacturer.
 
I have heard of magnetic ones that you can stick to the oil pan. Easy install. No damage if you drive away. Probaly not as effective as one that heats your coolant. I have the frost plug type (SBC) of course.
 
I got one last year...

First...go to SOR.com and do a search for it and check the price. THEN...go to NAPA and buy the same darn thing! I got mine from SOR, thinking I would avoid the hassle of getting the wrong size etc...and to be sure it was the right one. Which is was...and, still in the orginal NAPA packaging!!

So, They're out there, at NAPA - this is the Freeze-plug block heater. Works well.

HTH
 
i cableclamped the electrical plug to the body and the exstension cord to the fence so i could drive away everyday with out unplugging, genius comes from being lazy!!
 
The accessory Toyota heaters were made in Canada. They were core plug units that had an O-ring seal and a "toggle-bolt" wing thingy on the back to keep them from popping out.

Unfortunately they have been discontinued for several years.
 
It sounds like the coolant heater is the best of all the options.

Hammer1, doesn't it restrict flow?

:beer:
 
GLTHFJ60 said:
It sounds like the coolant heater is the best of all the options.

Hammer1, doesn't it restrict flow?

:beer:
Click to expand...
not that i can tell.
it looks like this. the element is small, like pencil thin. i doubt that flow is affected in any way.
 
Last edited:
hey, cool, the pic worked.
BTW, the hose is 1-1/2" ID NOT 1-3/4"
i have a 1-3/4" that i bought by mistake.
anyone withan 1-3/4 hose the wanna heat?
its free, still in the box
hammer
 
cruiserdan said:
The accessory Toyota heaters were made in Canada. They were core plug units that had an O-ring seal and a "toggle-bolt" wing thingy on the back to keep them from popping out.

Unfortunately they have been discontinued for several years.
Click to expand...

Sounds similiar to the Katz one I had. Mine worked fine but somehow the wires were cut clean. Still not sure what happened, unless they were hit by the belt that broke going east on I40 headed into Albq. one summer.
 
Freeze plug heaters do not just press in. They do not "pop" out. They are held in place with an expanding compression arm. Sort of like a molly bolt spreading uot on the back of drywall. Perfectly secure and stays in place for the life of the rig.

A block heater is the best option. Puts the heat where you need it. A tank heater on the heater hoses works okay, but it looses a lot of the heat it generates to the surroundings as the heater itself and the heated hoses radiate it away.

A heater in the radiator hose is the worst. The coolant has to flow through the radiator in order to get back to the heater. Radiators are designed to... shed heat...

Glue on pad heaters do a good job of warming the oil in the pan or a battery. That's about it though.

Get a freeze plug heater. Two if you live in a place that get's extreme temps in the winter and your rig starts hard. If you have a fluid exchange manifold heater modification to accompany a header installation, then an external tank heater plumbed into the heater hoses and running through the manifold heater is a great addition. It's awkward to plumb, but it works great. Doesn't warn the engine as much as a freezeplug heater but it makes the rig start like it's a summer day.


Mark...
 
i've never tried any of the others, especially the frezze plug ones, since both places i went looked at me like i was asking for something that didnt exist.
i can go out in a zero degree morning, ,pop the hood, and i can feel the block below the head, and its actually warm.
they may be the "worst" to some, but they work well for me, and it does get cold here in new jersey.
hammer
 
cruiserdan said:
"toggle-bolt" wing thingy .
Click to expand...


And this, is the official term?

;)
 
zerostart freeze plug heaters.

if you think freeze plug heaters just pop out, so ask a truck driver...they've been runnign them for decades with no problems.
 
relax...as i said, i was stared at blankly when asked about block heaters, so i had NO idea how they went in. I had to assume that the pushed in, since the freeze plug hole was not threaded.
i didnt realize that this was going to be an argument!
 
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