Help with installing engine heater

[brmax]

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

[luvrbus]

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

[brmax]

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. 

[harleyman_1000]

  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

[Oonrahnjay]

... 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.

[luvrbus]

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

[bevans6]

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

[luvrbus]

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

[harleyman_1000]

 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?

[luvrbus]

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 

[harleyman_1000]

 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 

[harleyman_1000]

 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.   

[Oonrahnjay]

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.      

      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.

[uncle ned]

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

[harleyman_1000]

 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?