What size is the block heater hole?

[junk]

It was -4 this morning. It was -20 air temp this weekend. Pretty much around 10 or so I start plugging in because it spins a lot faster. Even been thinking about doing a winter oil vs running 15-40 year round.

I don't have a block heater in my 89. It has a "tank" heater that plumbs into a block plug and the return heater hose. Works great. My reman diesel had a plug installed when i got it and I wasn't messing with that.

 

[chris142]

How long do you plug it in for? If 50f was my threshold it would get plugged in 10 months/yr and I'd be working for the power co!

50f! I dont even use the glow plugs at 50!

 

[Koch13351]

I like the 'instant hot air coming from the heater' part of the block heater. Especially when it comes to defrosting the windshield.

 

[MTKirk]

How long do you plug it in for? If 50f was my threshold it would get plugged in 10 months/yr and I'd be working for the power co!

I have a 1500W block heater, I run it on a timer. It comes on at 5 am & I just unplug it when I leave, usually around 8am, so it's on for 3hrs Times 1.5KW = 4.5KWHours x 8 cents per kwh = 36 cents per day or $131.40 if I plug in every day (I plug in about 9 months or $100), Probably saves me that much in fuel. I get full life out of my batteries, most people here do not- even gassers go through batteries every couple of years. Mine are 4 years old and spin the engine as fast as when they were new. Also the heater and defroster are working right away.

The big problem I've gotta work on is the power steering, the system doesn't work well at single digits or lower and takes a few minutes to warm up. That damn ignition actuator has a tendency to snap when it's super cold & you need the thing running the most. I've resorted to replacing the ignition switch every year, and changing the grease in the lock cylinder gear. Wish I could lube the ignition switch, but: the Ford repair manual specifically says NOT to do this.

 

[dunk]

Indeed it's 1.5" I had to put a rubber plug in mine Friday when it spit it out on the road. Ordered a new Zerostart from Amazon, appears to be OE style and $53 to my door. Katz brand they sell local doesn't fit right and has a weaker retention bar. Should have it this week, I'll try to wait for a warm day. I would keep a block heater in it, but I doubt a regular freeze plug would be a problem.

 

[jwalterus]

Ive never seen that cold. 28F is fridged here.

here's the weekend forcast for your imagination pleasure

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isn't it sad that those temps don't even bother me?
worst week I ever had to deal with had high temps that stayed under -20 ambient all week, and I was doing ROOFING!!
of course, around here, come march/april, people will be running around in shorts and t-shirts in 40-50*F temps

I like the 'instant hot air coming from the heater' part of the block heater. Especially when it comes to defrosting the windshield.

I don't believe I've ever experienced that....... with ANY vehicle

 

[chris142]

35 our low this week

 

[crash-harris]

Yeah, heater actually being hot here doesn't normally occur until you're halfway to your destination!

 

[snicklas]

Yep, agreed, I drove the P71 yesterday and was quite surprised how quickly it got HOT in there....

Today, when I left work it was 10, truck had sat shut down for 8.5 hours..... About 15 miles into the 30 mile drive I finally could uncover my ears and take my gloves off.........

 

[chris142]

I get heat within the first mile or so. Trucks heater works better than my 2002 jeep does