Engine Heaters

[mn_smokeater]

Engine Heaters
By mn_smokeater
Ford trucks are operated worldwide so that means that they will be in areas that can and do often get cold sometimes into the extreme cold. Engine heaters are used to aid the truck in starting easier and more efficiently as cold starts are far harder on a truck then a warm start. this is just a quick simple primer on what these heaters are and how they can be used.

Dipstick heaters: They take the place of your standard dipstick and heat the oil and air in the engine. most often are lower wattage then other heaters. they cant be used while running as it will interfere with the crankshaft also can not be used with plastic dipstick tubes. Runs off of a 110V outlet. 60-90 watts.


Magnetic heaters: They stick to the bottom of the oil pan or the block and then are just plugged in and removed when you go. some are made to be mounted permanently. come in a few ranges of wattage(300 and 200) surface must be able to take a magnet. Runs off of 110V outlets.


Freeze/Frost Plug Heater: This is the Standard factory method of engine heaters its also the cheapest but hard to install. its a permanent install. Runs off of 110V outlets. Wattages are between 400 to 600 on average.


Lower Radiator Hose Heater: this is mounted in-line with the hose and heats the coolant then the block and the oil through that. Runs off of 110V outlet.


External Tank Engine Heater: Like the above but this is routed through the heater hoses and heater core as well as the engine and its tank is used to heat the coolant passing through it thats pumped in and regulated by the internal thermostat. Runs off 110V outlet.


Silicone Pad Heater: Just like the heat pad you keep in your home but bigger and far hotter and is glued to the oil or transmission pan. Ran off 110V outlet.

[BB4xFORD]

Timely as I have to do something.
On the new 466 I'm going to add at least one if not two block heaters, Been thinking about a simple timer circuit that would run one for a couple hours and then the other. Installing a block heater is not a big deal in new construction.
What it the best choice where a block heater is impractical. The lower Radiator hose or the recirculating one. I am leaning to the recirculating one because if you left the heater in the truck set to defrost in theory you night have a warm cab with a defrosted windshield... However I have zero hands on, so

[mn_smokeater]

the advantage to the recirculating one is that yes it should help you defrost your windows and heat up the cab faster then the hose heater can. i have heard that with these heaters some engines people have said that it actully heats the coolent enough to show in the temp. gauge. the disatvantage to the tank heater is that it has a pump and a Themostat witch can an do were out in time. did that help a little?

[BB4xFORD]

Yup! The other thing I though of which is not an issue in my application is when the Heater return is to a point on the radiator side of the thermostat In that case the heater would heat basically the heater and the radiator.

[mn_smokeater]

good to hear!