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Engine Specific Info and Questions => IDI Engine => Topic started by: hipifreq on October 31, 2006, 09:24:08 pm

Title: Block Heater?
Post by: hipifreq on October 31, 2006, 09:24:08 pm

Forgive the obvious newbie question:

So I thought a block heater would be, you know, on the block. In my '80 Dasher I've got the device pictured below spliced into the lower radiator hose. Is this a block heater or something else? It's got a standard three-prong AC plug at the end of about 4 ft of wire.

(http://myweb.students.wwu.edu/~waggonj/img/dasher/IMG_3658_small.jpg)

Title: Block Heater?
Post by: LeeG on October 31, 2006, 10:16:38 pm

yup, its a coolant heater.  That kind should be installed so uphill of the heater is the engine and downhill is the rad.  The convection will carry heat into the engine.  Fancier ones actually have a pump.

yours looks like it might be right at the bottom of the hose which will make it less effective as it will try to heat radiator too much.

Title: Block Heater?
Post by: RabbitJockey on November 01, 2006, 12:49:16 pm

yeah that ones definetly in a bad spot, my rabbit has a factory one on the back of the block, tiny little bugger, but it seems to do its job, i jus tneed to redo the power cable cause it frayed

Title: Block Heater?
Post by: burn_your_money on November 01, 2006, 01:21:46 pm

That's a coolant heater, a block heater is actually on the block at the back, in one of the freeze plug holes

Title: Block Heater?
Post by: hipifreq on November 01, 2006, 06:49:30 pm

Thanks for the response. It didn't seem like it would help very much as the heat would need to travel pretty far to help keep the engine warm.

What do you think about the heaters that go in the freeze plug? Is it worth the time and money to install it? The winters are pretty mild here on the WA coast, but this engine is old and tired. I want to limp it through the winter before a spring rebuild or replace.

Title: Block Heater?
Post by: LeeG on November 01, 2006, 09:54:15 pm

That heater is probably fine for a mild climate, plug it in a try it.  If I was installing one I would go for the freeze plug option, but others work too

Title: Block Heater?
Post by: jtanguay on November 02, 2006, 09:14:25 am

well you would want the heater in the lowest spot possible, to avoid overheating the element.  the heat will eventually open up the thermostat and creep its way into the block.  remember that heating water creates pressure, and the hot coolant should work its way up, but it takes time.  

it will obviously work, but just take longer than the normal...