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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: harleyman_1000 on November 28, 2014, 02:06:23 PM

Title: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: harleyman_1000 on November 28, 2014, 02:06:23 PM
 I have a 6v92 with a alternator. I talked with Luke about a engine heater, and he said he has one that goes into a plate with a half moon on the side of my engine. I think I have found it, but there is not much clearance because of my alternator. Does anyone have a engine heater mounted where this plate located with a alternator? If so can you please post some pictures so I can see if I have enough clearance to install one?
Title: Re: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: luvrbus on November 28, 2014, 03:45:41 PM
There is a plate with 4 bolts that measures 4x3-1/2 inches on the passengers side of the engine where the factory heater installs is that what you are asking ?
Title: Re: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: brmax on November 28, 2014, 03:48:37 PM
This might help, I don't have the alternator but do believe this is the location.
Title: Re: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: harleyman_1000 on November 28, 2014, 03:55:00 PM
 Yes Clifford, I think it is? It is located on the passenger side almost at the very back of the engine. It has a sort of half moon on the front of the plate(towards the front of the bus)
Title: Re: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: brmax on November 28, 2014, 03:57:56 PM
Scott these are pics of the pulley end and passenger side
Title: Re: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: luvrbus on November 28, 2014, 04:07:00 PM
He has ends mixed up the plate is at the front of the engine Scott I can post you a photo of the heater not installed and of the location but it will need to be on F/B fwiw the heater will only install one way so don't buy it thinking you can rotate the heater to make it work
Title: Re: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: harleyman_1000 on November 28, 2014, 04:12:17 PM
 Ok thanks Clifford. Thanks brmax, that is the plate I'm talking about.
Title: Re: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: oldmansax on November 28, 2014, 04:28:42 PM
What Clifford said.  I got one on my 6V92 but it's behind the AC compressor on mine. Pain to get to but works nice once it's installed.

TOM
Title: Re: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: harleyman_1000 on November 28, 2014, 04:56:00 PM
 This is a picture of my engine seen through the side access door on my GM4104. The alternator is kind of hard to see.
Title: Re: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: oldmansax on November 29, 2014, 05:25:46 AM
Same place as mine. It will be way easier to remove the alternator first.

TOM
Title: Re: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: luvrbus on November 29, 2014, 07:43:24 AM
? for Brmax where did you buy the new cord I have a 1/2 dozen heaters that need cords
thanks
Title: Re: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: harleyman_1000 on November 29, 2014, 07:55:57 AM
 Will these also warm the oil up enough to start the engine in 0 degree temps?
Title: Re: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: luvrbus on November 29, 2014, 07:59:09 AM
Sure when the water temps goes up so does the oil temperature don't even think about a oil pan heater  ;D
Title: Re: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: gumpy on November 29, 2014, 08:04:33 AM
Cliff, I got a cord for mine from C&J Bus Repair. cjbusrepair.com  That was like in 2000, but I imagine they still have them. Talk to JD, or I think the new parts guy is named Dave.
Tell him I sent you. Maybe he'll send me some bus parts for Christmas.  :D
Title: Re: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: dickegler on November 29, 2014, 04:13:09 PM
Many replacement cords on ebay

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p3984.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xengine+heater+cord&_nkw=engine+heater+cord&_sacat=0 (http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p3984.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xengine+heater+cord&_nkw=engine+heater+cord&_sacat=0)

I also just saw them at the local international truck parts department

most seem to be kats, or zero start

Dick
Title: Re: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: brmax on November 29, 2014, 05:12:35 PM
Well I shouldn't complain as I did after seeing some other prices, I got the cord from the local Navistar dealer that I purchase all my fleet parts from since 83.
# ZBL3600008   6' HTR CORD    21.35 w/tax
Good day there
Title: Re: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: luvrbus on November 29, 2014, 05:52:38 PM
I found the cords at Napa part #TWD 36000008 list for $23.99 cost me $16.85 with tax now I embarrassed complaining for 5 minutes about NAPA's prices I see they are the same cord only the 3 letters in the parts number are different. I guess the NAPA guy was right when he told me all the cords are made by Phillips/Temro
Title: Re: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: brmax on November 29, 2014, 07:58:42 PM
Sounds like a great find, and i totaly understand.  Im not the only one then.  What is difficult is getting to the counter and finding most all of the parts guys are retired, so That paticular savings is a cheese burger and coke between jobs and great!.  fwiw I had my only automotive personal account with them and then a business fleet account with them for many years, the older NAPA store here in my town was tops. 
Title: Re: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: harleyman_1000 on November 29, 2014, 08:26:41 PM
  On my engine, I noticed today that there is a threaded plug with a octagon shaped spot to insert a tool to unscrew it in the block just underneath where the stock block heater would install. Could a heater like this go in it if the threads are the same size? Also is a 400 watt heater enough?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ENGINE-BLOCK-HEATER-ELEMENT-W-CORD-400W-3-4-NPT-KATS-BRAND-OLIVER-WHITE-NEW-/121444176138?pt=BI_Heavy_Equipment_Parts&hash=item1c46a3110a (http://www.ebay.com/itm/ENGINE-BLOCK-HEATER-ELEMENT-W-CORD-400W-3-4-NPT-KATS-BRAND-OLIVER-WHITE-NEW-/121444176138?pt=BI_Heavy_Equipment_Parts&hash=item1c46a3110a)
Title: Re: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: Oonrahnjay on November 30, 2014, 04:23:51 AM
Quote from: harleyman_1000 on November 29, 2014, 08:26:41 PM... Also is a 400 watt heater enough?  ...

     I'd be careful of relying on a heater that small.  A small heater will help if the temps aren't too low, but it depends on size of your engine (and all of ours are going to be rated "Large" by Temco), the amount of time that would be available, outside temperatures, etc.  My take on it is that a pre-heater on a bus should be at least 1000 watts -- maybe you could get by with less if you have a smaller engine, don't expect to be below freezing etc.   But for a pre-heater to work well, it should put out enough heat to warm the block and cylinder head, engine coolant, internal parts, and oil -- and enough to really make a difference.   If you can leave it overnight and you're not looking at really cold temps, maybe 400 watts would work but I'd want more capacity.
Title: Re: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: luvrbus on November 30, 2014, 04:53:24 AM
I found out the 3 pin plugs from a Cummins works just fine and Ryder sells those for $13.41 if anyone needs a cord part # 251919. 

Scott that plug is for oil there is no water there to heat,they sell freeze plug heaters for those engine you just pop out the freeze plug and install it and they sell a inline hose heater also
Title: Re: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: bevans6 on November 30, 2014, 05:54:05 AM
My 8V-71 block heater screws directly into a pipe thread plug hole on the front face of the engine, just around the corner from that flat plate.  It's a 1500 watt heater, it will pop some breakers after an hour or two.  FWIW, just another possible option.

Brian

Title: Re: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: luvrbus on November 30, 2014, 06:10:19 AM
92 series don't have that plug for a block heater like a 71 series on the 71 you could even screw one into the heads fwiw the 92 series are limited for block heaters locations it has a totally different water jacket configuration than a 71 series
Title: Re: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: harleyman_1000 on November 30, 2014, 08:45:37 AM
 Thanks Clifford, Luke wants 117.00 for the factory setup, which I know to some of you isn't a lot of money, but when I add up everything I need for my bus, every little bit I can save adds up. Clifford, you said you had several block heaters that needed plugs. Do they all have the plate to install them in the block, and if so would you consider selling one?
Title: Re: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: luvrbus on November 30, 2014, 10:05:19 AM
I won't sell one but send me a address and I will give it to you if buy your own cord and pay for shipping. Now did you get the bus running you left us hanging on the problem  ;D
Title: Re: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: harleyman_1000 on November 30, 2014, 11:33:24 AM
 Ok I will send you my address, and thank you. I haven't replaced the fuel filters yet, but I let the primer run for a few minutes and it ran for a few minutes and then died, so I will replace the fuel filter. I moved on to the block heater so I could fix the fuel problem and get it to run  ::)
Title: Re: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: harleyman_1000 on December 01, 2014, 06:36:06 AM
 Forgot to say the reason I moved to the block heater, was because the temp dropped from the 60's to below 20, so I now need the block heater to get it to start.   ::)
Title: Re: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: Oonrahnjay on December 01, 2014, 03:01:08 PM
Quote from: harleyman_1000 on December 01, 2014, 06:36:06 AMForgot to say the reason I moved to the block heater, was because the temp dropped from the 60's to below 20, so I now need the block heater to get it to start.   ::)   

      Sometime you have to listen to what somebody meant to say and that's what I thought that you meant!  Good luck with it - most people think that a block heater is a *great* feature for their bus.
Title: Re: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: uncle ned on December 01, 2014, 04:39:51 PM


On my 92 the block heater go into the right thermostat housing. The right one facing the fan driven side.

I looks like a pipe thread with a spacer down to the heater.  seems to work fine.

uncle ned
Title: Re: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: harleyman_1000 on December 10, 2014, 10:01:19 AM
 Thanks for the block heater Clifford, I got it yesterday. Should I send the postage to the address on the box, or do you have PayPal?
Title: Re: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: luvrbus on December 10, 2014, 02:58:00 PM
Scott no pay pal just send me a check hurry without the 7 bucks there won't be any Christmas around here  ;D just kidding send it when you have time
Title: Re: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: Ed Hackenbruch on December 10, 2014, 08:45:39 PM
Wow!!! you are going to have $7 to spend on Christmas?  Some people have all of the luck!!! ;D
Title: Re: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: harleyman_1000 on December 11, 2014, 05:42:17 AM
Ok will send it today Clifford. When I put in the heater, how much water will I loose? I need to know, so I know how much antifreeze to get? I'm thinking this might be a good time to flush the system while I'm doing this. Should I use a certain type of flush? Also what is the right type of antifreeze to use?  Did I just hijack my own thread....  ;D
Title: Re: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: luvrbus on December 11, 2014, 05:45:57 AM
You will lose almost all the coolant it has to drain so you can clean the area ? did you find a cord
Title: Re: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: harleyman_1000 on December 11, 2014, 06:16:59 AM
 Yes got the cord last night at Napa for 20 dollars when I picked up my 2 fuel filters. It will be in the 50's here this weekend, so I will change it then. What is the correct antifreeze to use?
Title: Re: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: uncle ned on December 11, 2014, 07:22:55 AM

boy was that a bad question

uncle ned
Title: Re: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: harleyman_1000 on December 11, 2014, 07:59:56 AM
 ;D
Quote from: uncle ned on December 11, 2014, 07:22:55 AM
boy was that a bad question

uncle ned
Title: Re: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: luvrbus on December 11, 2014, 08:18:04 AM
Pink or green heavy duty just stay away from W/M and Auto Zone I buy from DD or the Freightliner their house brand Alliance (green) prices are usually better at DD or Freightliner than auto parts stores  lol water is your preference  
Title: Re: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: eagle19952 on December 11, 2014, 08:30:24 AM
Quote from: harleyman_1000 on December 11, 2014, 06:16:59 AM
  It will be in the 50's here this weekend, so I will change it then. What is the correct antifreeze to use?

do you know the age of your current antifreeze ?
were I you I would get me a test strip and test what I had if it was under 4-5 years old. that stuff is expensive to throw away if it still is the proper formulation...just me....strips are a few dollars... antifreeze is a lotta $$'s
Title: Re: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: harleyman_1000 on December 11, 2014, 09:07:05 AM
 Well the color is brown now ::) Not sure why it is rust color, since the previous owner just had a new radiator installed when I bought it 17 months ago. This is why I want to flush the system out when I put the heater in. What is the correct way to flush the system? Is there a certain type of flush to use on DD?
Title: Re: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: luvrbus on December 11, 2014, 09:26:09 AM
Drain what is in there then buy a box Cascade powered dishwasher soap  use a 1/2 cup run it till warm do it 3 times it will be clean as new, you can drain it on the ground and the EPA police won't come around don't waste the time and money on the so called flush systems lol you notice I am cheap ;D
Title: Re: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: bevans6 on December 11, 2014, 10:40:22 AM
When I drain the antifreeze on my bus I use the biggest Rubbermaid tote box to catch it.  I think it only took one, but it was very full...

Brian
Title: Re: Help with installing engine heater
Post by: chessie4905 on December 11, 2014, 11:14:17 AM
   I use one of those blue plastic 55gal drum cut down to slide underneath. I like them because they can be slid back out when full without the side bending. Easy to cut with a sawzall. Walmart here sells antifreeze just for otr truck and rv diesels; no silicate. Either was 13 or 17 bucks per gallon. Just noticed it last time I was there