Kmvreter - block heater plug

[jacal]

Did you do your block heater plug mod yet?

I have not done mine because I can't plug in at work, and I garage it at home, so it isn't a very high priority this year.

I would like a command start tho.


J

 

[Kmvreter]

It's summer! I'm not even thinking about it yet. Is it almost winter there?

I tucked the wire behind the grille in the spring and haven't touched it. Most of the parts are in a box but I have to find time to fab some items. Hopefully before the snow flies.

Now back to that cold beer...

 

[jacal]

We are heading for +35C + humidity today! I can't even paint my house at this temp!

I was wrong to mention snow. I think I should be pushed down a member level or two for that.



J

 

[Kmvreter]

Now you see it...

Finally found time to complete this mod.

Here is the cheesey OEM (stealer) installed plug that I wanted to clean up:

 

[Kmvreter]

Now you don't...

Cleaned it up using "Bulldog" parts. My first piece of chrome on the front other than the emblem:

 

[Kmvreter]

Bought a Mack Truck cap and plug set:

 

[Kmvreter]

Fabricated and painted a custom bracket:

 

[Kmvreter]

Cut existing plug off the block heater wire.
Attached the new plug and boot:

 

[Kmvreter]

Attached the plug to the bracket with stainless bolts and covered the wire end with protective wire loom:

 

[Kmvreter]

Attached the bracket with a stainless M6 bolt in an existing unused rivnut on the right side of the radiator. Pictured with the extension cord in place:

 

[007Runner]

If you use synthetic oil, then you won't have to worry about a engine block heater. You should also be able to mix your antifreeze to be good for at least -40. The synthetic oil will start your car down to -53.

 

[Kmvreter]

Total cost ~ C$33. I can use it with the hood closed so they can't rip off my extension cord (they could always cut it though.)
Neat and clean and a stealth look to it. I'm set for winter.

Now back to that cold beer...

 

[Kmvreter]

If you use synthetic oil, then you won't have to worry about a engine block heater. You should also be able to mix your antifreeze to be good for at least -40. The synthetic oil will start your car down to -53.

Already switched to M1. I'll still use the heater. This is an upgrade for an existing block heater plug so it doesn't flop around.

 

[jacal]

Great work. I'd do it in a second except you had to go and fabricate your own mount. Rats! Was it difficult? Will it be hard to access behind ice & snow?

Does that "hatch" work on a spring basis, or does it friction fit closed? I ask because my similar mod uses a marine plug, which closes by friction.

Block heaters are less about the car starting and more about having it warm up as fast as possible, as well as reducing engine wear during those extreme cold starts.



J

 

[Kmvreter]

Great work. I'd do it in a second except you had to go and fabricate your own mount. Rats! Was it difficult? Will it be hard to access behind ice & snow?

Does that "hatch" work on a spring basis, or does it friction fit closed? I ask because my similar mod uses a marine plug, which closes by friction.

Block heaters are less about the car starting and more about having it warm up as fast as possible, as well as reducing engine wear during those extreme cold starts.



J

Thanks.
Not sure how to rate the difficulty of the fab work. This involved metal cutting, bending, welding and drilling. It is a spring loaded hatch with a weather seal (common item on all big rigs.) I don't expect any access problems. Just pop the hood open (I take time too clean all the snow off especially on the hood and front for better visibility.)

 

[Koz]

You may want to use some 0w-30 motor oil!

Koz

 

[jacal]

I will look into getting one of these plugs. I think that while I am at it, I might as well add a battery blanket to the circuit.

Another big benefit is that the time to actually throw heat is much much shorter when you are plugged in!


J

 

[jacal]

Thanks.
Not sure how to rate the difficulty of the fab work. This involved metal cutting, bending, welding and drilling. It is a spring loaded hatch with a weather seal (common item on all big rigs.) I don't expect any access problems. Just pop the hood open (I take time too clean all the snow off especially on the hood and front for better visibility.)

So do you need to pop the hood each time for access?



J

 

[Kmvreter]

So do you need to pop the hood each time for access?
J

Yes. That was one of the questions I had about locating the plug there but I still opted for it. Minor inconvenience (a few days a year) for the sealth look.

 

[WhiteManFlail]

Since you had to cut the plug end off the block heater for the Mack Truck waterproof mount, couldn't you splice in a oil pan heater too, and have only one plug?