any reason not to use a magnetic engine block heater on a '65 200?

Milo Bloom · 01-01-2013, 07:08 PM

I've been thinking about getting one for my DD since it tends to be unhappy in the morning when it's been particularly cold overnight, or even if it's just regular winter temperatures, it has to idle in the driveway for five or ten minutes to run smoothly. Is there any damage it could cause or any other reason I wouldn't want to use one?

Husky44 · 01-01-2013, 08:12 PM

No reason not to, but there are better options. Magnetic block heaters attach to the oil pan, and warm your oil, which is all sitting in the pan. They don't do much to solve cold-starting issues, and are really only useful in extreme cold where oil doesn't flow well.

For what you're describing, I'd highly recommend installing a true block heater that goes in one of the freeze plugs (yeah, I know that's not the technical name, but it's what most people know it by, and I can't remember the technical name right now...). Not really that hard of an install, and it actually keeps your block warm by circulating your antifreeze as it heats.

I have them in all my vehicles except the Shelby and the 67, which don't go outside in the cold, and they make a real difference. I'm afraid a magnetic heater isn't going to do what you're looking for.

Milo Bloom · 01-01-2013, 08:37 PM

Thanks Husky... the magnetic ones were the only ones I'd heard of.

Is this the kind of thing you're talking about? JEGS Freeze Plug / Core Plug Block Heaters - JEGS

22GT · 01-01-2013, 08:59 PM

I had one once that spliced into a heater hose, and would heat the coolant and slowly circulate it as well. Worked great!

Husky44 · 01-01-2013, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milo Bloom

Thanks Husky... the magnetic ones were the only ones I'd heard of.

Is this the kind of thing you're talking about? JEGS Freeze Plug / Core Plug Block Heaters - JEGS

Yep, that's it. Pull one of your freeze plugs, replace it with the heating element, attach the cord, and you're ready to go.

The splice-in style 22GT mentioned might be a good option as well. Not sure why, but you just don't see them up here. EVERY car has a block heater though (except for garage queens

).

dodgestang · 01-01-2013, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Husky44

EVERY car has a block heater though (except for garage queens

).

Pfft....like it ever really gets all that cold in Alaska.

Husky44 · 01-01-2013, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dodgestang

Pfft....like it ever really gets all that cold in Alaska.

Dang, Nick, your stable has grown from when I was hanging out here before! Looks sweet!

This winter has been brutal cold. Last winter was record-setting snowfalls. This year, until about a week ago, we were subzero for extended periods (like weeks), which is unusual for Anchorage. It's been so cold here it hasn't snowed much at all (less than 6 inches in my yard).

I may not have much to contribute on building Mustangs, but I'm an expert when it comes to block heaters and keeping cars warm!

Roddster · 01-02-2013, 10:38 AM

Well, you are not going to splice in a engine coolant heater into a Concours car.

I've found that a heater that replaces your dip stick to heat the oil works well. Tried it and it does work.

Milo Bloom · 01-03-2013, 03:27 PM

How about this? 22GT is this like what you had?

Cooling System Heater Circulating Coolant Heater 1000 W | eBay

I like the idea of splicing something into a coolant line better than I like the idea of knocking out one of my freeze plugs.

bartl · 01-03-2013, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milo Bloom

How about this? 22GT is this like what you had?

Cooling System Heater Circulating Coolant Heater 1000 W | eBay

I like the idea of splicing something into a coolant line better than I like the idea of knocking out one of my freeze plugs.

That's a nice looking tank heater. You want to make sure that you place it as low as possible in the system though. I've seen air bubbles get bound in them and burn them up. Mounting it on the rear passenger apron should keep it out of the way. You may also want to have your choke and thermostat looked at too.....you shouldn't take more than 5 minutes, in your climate, to warm up and run decently. Now up here, this morning, in the minus 13 degree cold things cranked over a LITTLE slower than normal.....

hughnews1 · 01-03-2013, 05:33 PM

i have a heated garage here in FLORida send me a/c please

bartl · 01-03-2013, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hughnews1

i have a heated garage here in FLORida send me a/c please

If it's big enough for 2 projects and you have a spare room to rent I'll bring the air conditioner.

GypsyR · 01-03-2013, 07:24 PM

Any suggestions on brand and usage? My first was incorrect, as I need an odd size. Non-retrunable. Second a no-name brand that worked almost two months then quit. Third was a "Kats" that lasted almost a week. The ones I used I put on a timer so they'd come on about an hour and a half before the morning start. I got fed up with tossing money away and gave up. I don't have to have one but this particular driver is pretty crippled in the defog/defrost department and a block heater helped a lot.

Husky44 · 01-03-2013, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GypsyR

Any suggestions on brand and usage? My first was incorrect, as I need an odd size. Non-retrunable. Second a no-name brand that worked almost two months then quit. Third was a "Kats" that lasted almost a week. The ones I used I put on a timer so they'd come on about an hour and a half before the morning start. I got fed up with tossing money away and gave up. I don't have to have one but this particular driver is pretty crippled in the defog/defrost department and a block heater helped a lot.

If you're referencing block heaters, I've always used whatever the local O'Reilly's/NAPA/Car Quest gave me. Never seen brand name make any difference. For the ones you had that failed, was it the heater that failed or the cord? Most of the time that's where I've seen them have a problem, but that's normally because the cable wears out. Other than cable eventually failing (over years) I've never seen an issue?

GypsyR · 01-03-2013, 11:13 PM

Cords no problem. Second viable one had a different plug at the heater itself so I changed the cord too.
I was actually under the impression people up north would plug these in before bed and run them all night. Not cold enough for that here so they actually got limited use before quitting. Worked fine when they worked and I know they were in the water jacket (submerged) as my manual for the car actually has a description for installation per OEM.
Any electrical heater I'd expect to see some resistance across the circuit. I checked no continuity in either after failure.
They seem simple enough but I've had two in a row fail so I have to wonder if the fault is mine. The only folks around here that use block heaters are guys with diesels and faulty glow plugs so not much good local advice.