Block Heater

[George Burke]

Your impression is correct Ralph. There are two such heaters. On my Detroit 8V71, it is a true block heater, that warms the coolant, and then on and on from there. While in Mass. andAlaska I ran across the engine oil heaters, that heated the oil in the pan, thus making the engine easier to start. Both work great in cold climates, don't have much use for them in N.C. We used to keep a Allis Chalmers dozer outside, ( oil pan heater ) , plugged in24/7 at Tin City AFS, Ak., during the longwinter months. It fired up right away, even when it was 50 below, "if you were dumb enough to go out there". That was 38 yrs. ago, and I have not warmed up yet. Regards, George Burke 1977FC 31 Charlotte

On Feb 12, 2008 8:31 PM, Ralph L. Fullenwider <"rlf47@swbell.net"> wrote:

Hello:

Curiosity time on my part on block heaters. I was under the impression that
most block heaters were inserted where a freeze plug was removed and that
the freeze plugs were in the water jackets or in the coolant traces in an

engine. That being the case, then I don't see how it could burn oil in
anyway, since the oil would be warmed like using a double boiler pan on a
stove to melt chocolate and not scorch the candy. The water in the engine

gets warm, thus warming the block and oil.

I am not that up on engines, save for the work I have done on mine over the
years, but I have never installed engine bloc heaters.

Can anyone clear that one up for me please?


Safe travels,

Ralph and Charolette Fullenwider
84FC35 "Ruff Diamond"
Duncan, Oklahoma

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