Engine block heater

[riderdan]

Probably my bad search skills, but I looked and didn't find a thread on this...

With fall almost here and winter on the way, I'm thinking about adding a block heater to the truck so I can start it a little more easily on those cold mornings here in Kansas. The installation seems pretty straight forward and heaters for the GM 6.5 abound, but I thought I'd ask the knowledgable folks here on SS their thoughts. Has anybody done this? Anything important to know before I tackle the project?

 

[gimpyrobb]

It SHOULD have one. Did you look around on the drivers side of the block?

 

[kcobean]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FslvZndE7I

The only terrifying part about this is punching out the freeze plug and hoping you don't lose it in the water passage.

 

[NormB]

You COULD weld a bolt to it - one that's already through a steering wheel puller, then just pull the thing out.

You - ovbiously - can't DRILL.

Curious how this works out, I've thought of doing the same down the road.

I bought one of those magnetic pan heaters - 100 watts - this past winter and hooked it up to a farm/dairy temp sensing switch (like a miniature extension "plug" with a thermostat in it set for 35F). Worked great, just had to crawl under the truck to pull it off before I drove off, which gets harder by the day as my arthritis limits some of my flexibility.

 

[MOOSERABBIT]

My 6.5 already had one installed, just need a cord for it.

 

[Stonewall]

thanks for sharing. I put a block heater in my deuce, several years back. With the glow plugs I have never had a starting issue, but getting things warm on a cold day is never a bad idea. I may have to add this to my to-do list.

 

[Action]

My 6.5 already had one installed, just need a cord for it.

The cord for the factory plug heater is a civy H1 part. Any supplier should be able to get it. Or go to gm dealer.