Warming up diesel before it gets into the motor?

[arb]

The Mazda 2.0L diesel Ford put in their Escort / Tempo in the mid 1980's has an intake toaster as well as a block heater. They worked great on the shores of Lake Superior in the dead of winter. I wish I had one of these. Instead I'm putting a 12v heating element in my intake manifold.

[zukgod1]

i would think that intake air heating is what you're really after.  even really cold fuel hitting the glow plug will ignite with the proper compression.  the intake air heater will help that process a whole lot!

but if you must heat the fuel, you might as well have it circulate while being heated to be beneficial on startup.  use a solid state fuel pump to draw fuel from a T in the fuel return, and then the outlet to the inlet of the pump.  i'm pretty sure the fuel stop solenoid must be activated though or it might not flow...

I agree on the intake heater. I've considered fitting a heater off a Cummins as well but my car starts fine even if not plugged in and in the 20's so I don't see the point really.

[lildevil]

well i do have a hks cai, hmm im going to try to figure out which one of my GPs are broken, after that im going to look into that cummings fuel filter, how could i make this intake heater you gentlemen speak of?

[zukgod1]

A CAI means nothing. Regardless of the brand  
If your GP's are working and your engine is in fair shape it will start.

There would be allot of custom stuff needed to mount the air heater, you need to surf the Cummins forums to see what they are and how to mount one.
Same with the fuel filter mount, that's prob the best place to get one as well.

Post up pics of your project as you progress.