Block heater location on '94 IDI e350 Van

[warmblood58]

Was delighted to find my block heater cord today . . . . until it came out completely unattached. I assume it is in a freeze plug port on the passenger side somewhere in a inaccessible location for reattachment? Anyone know? Thanks!

 

[smolkin]

It is next to your starter in a special freeze plug-type hole. If you need to replace, do some research here first, as it is not hard to do but there's a few tricks that can save you a lot of headaches.

e: OK, apparently you can use a freeze plug in place of the block heater. My bad.

 

[hesutton]

Not sure if it is in a different locaiton on E-series IDI's, but the block heater on F-series is on the passenger's side, just in front of the dipstick tube.

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It's a three pin plug.

Hope that helps.

Heath

 

[icanfixall]

Nice picture Heath... Thats the only location for the block heater in these blocks. They are the same blocks in the van or trucks. A standard type cup freeze plug can be installed in this location too. Even a rubber expansion type replacement plug can be used. One thing you never want to do is install brass or aftermarket freeze plugs in the 7 other locations in any 6.9 or 7.3 block. Use only the factory stainless steel plugs that come in the pack of 7 from Ford or international... Anything else will fit but wont stay in the block... Been there a couple of times and paid dearly for it. Others have found this out too....

 

[warmblood58]

Nice picture Heath... Thats the only location for the block heater in these blocks. They are the same blocks in the van or trucks. A standard type cup freeze plug can be installed in this location too. Even a rubber expansion type replacement plug can be used. One thing you never want to do is install brass or aftermarket freeze plugs in the 7 other locations in any 6.9 or 7.3 block. Use only the factory stainless steel plugs that come in the pack of 7 from Ford or international... Anything else will fit but wont stay in the block... Been there a couple of times and paid dearly for it. Others have found this out too....

Good to know for the future and sounds like having the Ford plugs onboard would be a wise investment for any long road trips - thanks!

 

[warmblood58]

Thanks, great pic! Will take a look this evening to see what is hanging off the block heater end - hopefully, a repairable connector!

 

[icanfixall]

Good to know for the future and sounds like having the Ford plugs onboard would be a wise investment for any long road trips - thanks!

Nope... Having a set of factory freeze plugs will not help on a long road trip. They are nearly impossible to install if the engine is still in the rig. Two are behind the flexplate ot flywheel. Two are behind the oil cooler and the motor mounts on both sides. Plus... you need a very special $200.00 tool to install them properly. These are not a cup type plug. They are a stainless steel concave plug that needs the center pressed in a certain amount so it digs in to the cast iron block machnined groove. Surely others have installed them with a punch or socket... But that wont work...

 

[warmblood58]

Nope... Having a set of factory freeze plugs will not help on a long road trip. They are nearly impossible to install if the engine is still in the rig. Two are behind the flexplate ot flywheel. Two are behind the oil cooler and the motor mounts on both sides. Plus... you need a very special $200.00 tool to install them properly. These are not a cup type plug. They are a stainless steel concave plug that needs the center pressed in a certain amount so it digs in to the cast iron block machnined groove. Surely others have installed them with a punch or socket... But that wont work...

Ouch . . . . . hopefully they never leak . . .

 

[idi_econoline]

Related question: are the block heater cords dealer-only?

Gotz heater, gotz no cord! Not seeing them aftermarket. And that kidney-shaped connector sure isn't at my local hardware store.

 

[Hydro-idi]

Related question: are the block heater cords dealer-only?

Gotz heater, gotz no cord! Not seeing them aftermarket. And that kidney-shaped connector sure isn't at my local hardware store.

Hey Rich your local Kragen...now O'reillys has the engine heater cords on their website for 25 bucks.

 

[idi_econoline]

Thanks for that tip, Ian. Hoping there was an aftermarket source out there.

Not an O'Reilly fan, but I may make an exception this once.

 

[hesutton]

You can get them at Ford, but, like stated, most chain autoparts places can get them pretty easily for you.

Heath

 

[heff]

i've got three brand new cords from katz heaters. i'll give one to you if you want it.

 

[idi_econoline]

Whoa, that would be great, heff. Will PM ya tomorrow (Saturday)

Almost never gets below the 30s here in my area, but, am doing head gaskets and all that, so avoiding some cold starts this winter seems like a good idea.

And, thank you, Heath. I'm usually a pretty good parts chaser, but not this time.