Block Heater install?

nodestiny · Post by **nodestiny** » Thu Sep 29, 2011 11:55 pm

Hey gang. Haven't posted here in a LOOOOONG time, but figured no better place to go for my latest venture.

My car never came with a block heater, but I want to put one in. Preferably, one that goes into the block itself. I haven't seen enough good reviews on the external units that tie into hoses. I see all types of sizes to replace freeze plugs and such from various manufacturers.

Given that, installation also has to be able to be done w/ the engine in the car. If I have to remove a few things (no more than say, a manifold), I'm on board. Otherwise, I might have to go with an external unit.

Anybody have any experience on this?

Post by **occasional demons** » Fri Sep 30, 2011 7:06 am

The oem one is installed in the freeze plug above the oil sender. You will prolly need to remove the exhaust manifold to have enough room to pull the existing plug. If it weren't for that, you could prolly reach around by removing the battery.

FWIW:
My brother-in-law had a heater hose unit that was 1000 watts. That thing kicked ass. It worked much better than the 600 watt core plug unit my Jeep has.

trojmn · Post by **trojmn** » Fri Sep 30, 2011 8:30 am

IMO Its almost impossible to do a freeze plug type heater in the car. your seriously lacking the room to manuever enough to leverage the old freeze plug out.

Then make sure you get the right sized heater (if not OEM) for the hole. the one i used was iirc ~300w and I agree with the above, its NOT enough.

Tro

Post by **racer12306** » Fri Sep 30, 2011 8:48 am

Wow, I'm seeing a few names pop up here recently of people that haven't been here in a while.

You have definitely been gone the longest. Welcome back.