block heater question

mexicanjoe

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2018
Posts
266
Reaction score
201
Location
texas
Years ago I bought and used an inline engine heater. If I recall, it was installed in one of the heater hoses on my 1979 Ford pick up. I havent been able to locate one. Does anyone have a lead for that ? My factory freeze plug heater is toast and I dont like the idea of attaching a magnetic heater to the oilpan ; I might drive off and forget its there. any help will be appreciated.
 

79jasper

Chickenhawk
Joined
Oct 13, 2012
Posts
17,367
Reaction score
1,930
Location
Collinsville, Oklahoma
I mean, you could just replace the factory one......
But if you Google inline block heater, you will find many. "Hotstart" "kats"

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
 

chillman88

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Feb 22, 2017
Posts
6,022
Reaction score
6,152
Location
Central NY
What do you need one for down there? Those terrible cold 60 degree mornings? LOL just kidding!

I'm with Jasper, what about just replacing the factory block heater?
 

nostrokes

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 13, 2017
Posts
517
Reaction score
312
Location
Colorado
I have to agree about the "cold Texas mornings"...... :Thumbs Up

I would replace the original, IMHO they are better than the in line heater hose ones.
 
Last edited:

Oldiron

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2018
Posts
119
Reaction score
45
Location
Florissant, CO
I replaced mine yesterday.

Amazon Zerostart 310-0043 $59.16

Saved coolant (recently flushed entire system with new radiator and heater core)
Removed starter and whaalla.

Plugged it in tonight and we'll see what happens in the morning.

I prefer to start with the block heater rather then glow plugs especially when its below freezing. It just sounds healthier.
 

Oledirtypearl86

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2018
Posts
1,673
Reaction score
949
Location
Whitehall MT
Dude cold and Texas don't come close to making a sentence but if change the block heater they work better when I is actually cold like -20*f at that temp nothing really fires right up
 

Cubey

Van dweller
Joined
Oct 18, 2017
Posts
4,066
Reaction score
1,580
Location
USA
Is your factory block heating element actually bad? Or just the cord?

It costs less to buy the kit with the element and cord than to buy just the cord. Last fall, I bought a at O'Reilly for my F250 just for the cord. It just plugs in, no tools needed to change it.

I grabbed it off and put it in acabinet in the motorhome before I left the truck parked/stored since it's cord was original and shot to hell just like the truck's was. I have yet to actually crawl under and plug it in, but I should on the next warm day so it'll be there for using if I need to on a very cold morning.

I used the truck's heater with the new cord last winter 2-3 times and it worked fine. I have no reason to believe the motorhome's heating element is bad either.


EDIT: Well, it was cheaper to buy the kit vs the cord itself last year, but not this year.


The cord itself is $2 less, $34

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...ord/e-350-econoline?q=block+heater+cord&pos=0

Or $20 on Crapazon: https://www.amazon.com/Zerostart-3600010-Replacement-7-5-feet-Approved/dp/B006ENENJQ

A kit with the cord, element (dunno if it fits IDIs) and the cord's plug cap, $36:

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...00027/4871273/1985/ford/e-350-econoline?pos=9
 
Last edited:

mexicanjoe

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2018
Posts
266
Reaction score
201
Location
texas
ok , we got down to 17* the other morning and it was a little difficult to start LuluBelle. I know its not as cold where y
ll are, but remember there aint nothing between us and the North Pole but a barbed wire fence North of Amarillo! That wind will cut through you pretty quick. but i appreciate the help gents....

As an aside,my pop told me he had to back his truck up an incline in the old days, building a fire in a fire pit a few feet in front of the truck and let it burn down to coals. He would then kick the truck into neutral and position the engine above the low coals. He stated it didnt take long to warm up the old 6 cylinder to where it would fire up......old farmers have old ways.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
 

Oledirtypearl86

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2018
Posts
1,673
Reaction score
949
Location
Whitehall MT
but remember there aint nothing between us and the North Pole but a barbed wire fence North of Amarillo! That wind will cut through you pretty quic

Cold weather 101 never park with grill facing wind better yet use something as wind brake It makes a huge difference
 

retiredinhomer

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2016
Posts
61
Reaction score
23
Location
Alaska
WellI know what an inline heater is. I used to use them I switched over to a tank heater. I would use that instead. That being said You are too far south to just go out and buy one. Up north no problem getting one but down south You go into a parts store and ask for a 1000watt tank heater and they look at you like you have two heads. I am in az. right now but I will look and see if I have one down here to get a part number off. I use the **** out of my 400 watt magnetic heater for the temp use.
 

robert alston

Registered User
Joined
Jun 9, 2019
Posts
57
Reaction score
5
Location
texas
i read for years that the factory block heater will crack the block around the area of the heater thats why I never bothered to fix mine
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
91,217
Posts
1,128,469
Members
24,043
Latest member
tottripp

Members online

Top