Cummins block heater???

[ghunt]

Hey guys, got a quick question.

At my work we have a '97 Ford F800 with a 12 valve cummins in it. It's an ex-Navy truck.

We were looking at installing a block heater on it, and I read online that Cummins engines came with a block heater but they didn't give you a cord. One place said the element was behind the oil filter and another said it was to the left of the oil filter.

Now, which is it actually? There is a freeze plug directly to the left of the oil filter, and there is definitely no heating element there. Is there one behind the oil filter that I need to be looking at?

 

[towcat]

it's an add-on in place of the freezeplug.
i can post a pic later on today.

 

[ghunt]

Please do.

I'm pretty sure this truck doesn't have one.

 

[towcat]

here.....

 

[ghunt]

Yeah there's definitely not one on this engine. Ah well...

 

[wayfarnorth]

I was able to buy a new block heater from a parts store. I think all you would have to do is knock out a frost plug and install it. Another way and by far a better heater, would be to install a circulating block heater. They circulate the coolant all around the engine and when you go to start you have instant heat in the cab.