|
Post by Vågen on Feb 17, 2015 12:28:15 GMT -5
I am purchasing a frost plug heater, the KAT's 11405 400 Watt 36mm. The factory fit seems to be a better option than the magnetic universal design. Does anyone have experience/opinions with these? I'll keep looking on the forum in the meantime. I may not get it in until spring with all the snowfall Boston is getting!
|
|
|
Post by madmatt on Feb 17, 2015 15:04:20 GMT -5
IMHO... those magnetic heaters are near useless, they'll warm the oil if you put it on the pan, but not much more. My guess is the air gap between the oil and bottom of the block doesn't let them move heat into the block fast.
A good 400- 1000w in-block coolant heater will do way more for getting a cold motor to turn over in a shorter time. Like turn on at 6am, start at 8. put a timer on the extension cord, and you don't need to wake up early, or waste leaving it on all night.
|
|
|
Post by indkid87 on Feb 17, 2015 19:41:27 GMT -5
I have a factory justy block heater in my spare engine. I've never used it, I have no idea if it works and I'm not sure where the cord is. But, I'd be willing to part with it if you want it.
-Dave
|
|
|
Post by Vågen on Feb 20, 2015 14:49:03 GMT -5
Dave, would you mind snapping a picture of it installed? I am looking for a dry, somewhat warm ground to do this on and I'd like to be as surgical add possible here in freezing Boston.
I believe it's at the front bottom driver side?
|
|
|
Post by madmatt on Feb 20, 2015 15:06:20 GMT -5
Kevin, Maybe this will help. Here's one in the block I'm working on. It's in the three prong plug just above the oil filter. Would be kinda hard to get to without removing intake manifold, but not impossible.
|
|
|
Post by indkid87 on Feb 20, 2015 19:45:35 GMT -5
Thanks Matt.
It might be a bit tricky to get to, I can take a look tomorrow. The good news is you can probably get at it from the top, no laying on the frozen ground.
Are you fi or carb? That'll probably change how easy it is to install.
Btw, that's a fine stub shaft adapter you have there Matt
|
|
|
Post by madmatt on Feb 20, 2015 21:14:27 GMT -5
Dave, that stub adapter came from justyjuggler on this site. that's an old block of his i picked up from a wrecker he sent it to. good bearings! pretty much a bolt up replacement.
|
|
|
Post by indkid87 on Feb 20, 2015 21:25:41 GMT -5
I figured it came from him. I have a few of his creations too.
|
|
|
Post by Vågen on Feb 21, 2015 8:37:09 GMT -5
Ah! Less time in the tundra the better! It's FI.
A few weeks ago, during the first storm, I went out with my snow tires and chains and the thing was an absolute tank. Sounded like one too!
|
|
|
Post by indkid87 on Feb 21, 2015 10:53:15 GMT -5
Yeah, it's pretty well surrounded with the intake manifold and brackets. Your best bet is a socket on an extension.
|
|
|
Post by Vågen on Feb 23, 2015 12:12:09 GMT -5
Kevin, Maybe this will help. Here's one in the block I'm working on. It's in the three prong plug just above the oil filter. Would be kinda hard to get to without removing intake manifold, but not impossible. Thanks fellas. So I'm thinking that it's facing the firewall, driver side, and further up from the ground from the oil filter. Sounds doable. Kinda dumb that I just flushed the radiator 4000 miles ago. ..
|
|
|
Post by madmatt on Feb 23, 2015 13:39:24 GMT -5
Lol...
You figured my upside down, headless, transmissionless pic out!
Yep, you got it. EFI or carb it will be tricky to get too! But not much worse then the oil filter. For sure I'd remove the filter, I'd even thing about removing the intake manifold to get some more room, but then you need to deal with sealing it up afterwards. Depends on how much you like working where you cant really see.
Since you have to drain the coolant down to at least that level, I'd consider removing the coolant hoses that go to heater, at least from the heater connections, that will give a bit of room, and probably pull the "dogbone" engine mount out of the way too.
|
|
|
Post by sp0ngebob on Feb 23, 2015 17:16:50 GMT -5
is there a freeze plug on the front of the block you could use? i contemplated this when i had my engine out but decided it wasnt nearly cold enough to warrant the work.
|
|
|
Post by madmatt on Feb 23, 2015 19:47:31 GMT -5
there are 3. but they are smaller, and behind the coolant line, and of course the exhaust manifold. probably worse to get too, and as said, smaller so unlikely the heater would fit.
|
|
|
Post by Armageddous on Feb 24, 2015 1:02:50 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by sp0ngebob on Feb 24, 2015 13:26:50 GMT -5
Ive seen those and i wonder how well they would work. they effectively have to heat all the liquid that is in the rad before it will heat the liquid in the block. this assumes you put it in the upper hose. I doubt it will ever get warm enough to get the t-stat to open allowing for the fluid to ever get warm.
|
|
|
Post by sp0ngebob on Feb 24, 2015 13:27:27 GMT -5
there are 3. but they are smaller, and behind the coolant line, and of course the exhaust manifold. probably worse to get too, and as said, smaller so unlikely the heater would fit. pulling the exhaust manifold takes about 10 minutes since its a two piece.
|
|
|
Post by indkid87 on Feb 25, 2015 18:30:37 GMT -5
there are 3. but they are smaller, and behind the coolant line, and of course the exhaust manifold. probably worse to get too, and as said, smaller so unlikely the heater would fit. pulling the exhaust manifold takes about 10 minutes since its a two piece. If the nuts/bolts aren't all screwed up and rusted solid. The intake hardware has a much better chance of being in good shape away from the heat of the exhaust. I'm not trying to be a dick, I just know I've broken bolts on the exhaust manifold more times than I'll admit. The intake, never. However, someone correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the stock heater threaded in? So the one coemgen is looking at won't work there. Sorry if I was misunderstood. I thought he was talking about using the factory heater.
|
|
|
Post by madmatt on Feb 26, 2015 15:09:33 GMT -5
However, someone correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the stock heater threaded in? So the one coemgen is looking at won't work there. Sorry if I was misunderstood. I thought he was talking about using the factory heater. Mais oui! Mais Oui!
|
|
|
Post by sp0ngebob on Feb 26, 2015 15:49:27 GMT -5
does anyone make one that is more like a sandwich plate style between the filter and the block? i know they do oil coolers/stabilizers that way. wouldn't be a "bad" spot for a narrow/long inline heater
|
|