Who sells a proven, trouble-free, reliable block heater?

I have been using one of these inline water heaters. It mounts in the uptube going to the waterpump.

Zerostart 3200003 Lower Radiator Hose Heater

Been using it the last three years trouble free. Works really well. It actually circulates the water though the entire engine. In my opinion it heats more uniformally then the block heaters did.


I use to have the block style, but they always seem to leak and fail. Due to clearance issues, I could only use on.

Good luck.

Larry, I may not answer specifically to the question but if you run an aluminum radiator like most of us do you can have a 1/2" npt fitting welded in and use screw in heating cartridges. You do have to circulate the water a bit to get the block warm but you have a larger selection of wattages.

I am assuming this is to pre-heat for the day or to help when it's cooler. I have one in my radiator, which is in my trunk, and it works very well other than a little effort needed on my part to run the pump occasionally before starting.

I used a couple of these and they worked well. In Texas I did not need them very often and just ended up getting rid of them.
https://www.amazon.com/Zerosta...mobile/dp/B000NM2KNA

Curtis, you are correct about my usage. It's an SBC Methanol bracket racer. Tell me how long it takes and what temperature you achieve. I will have a small aluminum radiator, so I can order it with the 1/2" pipe bung. Sounds like a good solution.

Larry, I have not really paid attention to a specific temperature. I can tell you that you can't hold your hand on my radiator once it's up to temperature. I use mine even on hot days so I don't have to waste much fuel getting the engine up to temp. I also use an oil heater.

When running in cooler temps I hook my water heater up as soon as a run is over and I leave it on until the next run. Usually anything under 80° ambient.

I wish I could remember what wattage heater I used. I believe it was 400 watts. I only went that low watching how much wattage I was using knowing I was also using an oil heater. Generator wattage is why.

This is the type I am talking about.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/13491...tkp%3ABk9SR_KUpOuxZA

Curtis, tell me about the oil heater. I plan to do that as well.

Using this one below now. I made my own before by putting a cartridge inside a ss tube I welded into a NPT bushing with heat conducting paste inside.

It looked exactly like this one and I just decided to go the easy route this time. LOL

https://www.moroso.com/oil-preheater23991/

My warning on this is you need to find the sweet spot of temperature. If I get the oil above 175°-180° my car will start picking up. Below that it is pretty stable. I shoot to be at least above 120° leaving the pits. 120° to 150° and it doesn't move any. I have a hard time keeping heat in the oil by my gauge. Late rounds it's something to consider watching.

I've used Kats brand heaters in the freeze plug hole.
Banjo can you run the water pump with the in the hose heater? Not recommended with the freeze plug heaters, any cavitation will burn out the element.

Yes, but you really don't need to. It needs to be installed in a lower line so the water can rise as its heated. As it heats the water, the water rises which circulates the water though the coolant system. It builds about 30 degrees of engine temp in about 60 minutes.

Works way better than the block heaters I have tried.

quote:

Originally posted by banjo:
Yes, but you really don't need to. It needs to be installed in a lower line so the water can rise as its heated. As it heats the water, the water rises which circulates the water though the coolant system. It builds about 30 degrees of engine temp in about 60 minutes.

Works way better than the block heaters I have tried.

What is the longest you keep them plugged in? The block heaters, i will plug in from october 15thish, until i pull the engine around thanksgiving.

This is the style I've used on daily drivers, very effective. Kats.
It pulls coolant from the radiator drain, and pushes it through the heater hose return on the intake or water pump.

I can see the ones that Bill uses in his radiator hose being a good part. I only have AN lines on everything so it won't work for me and filled blocks don't allow the use of the core plug heaters.

quote:

Originally posted by 329L:

quote:

Originally posted by banjo:
Yes, but you really don't need to. It needs to be installed in a lower line so the water can rise as its heated. As it heats the water, the water rises which circulates the water though the coolant system. It builds about 30 degrees of engine temp in about 60 minutes.

Works way better than the block heaters I have tried.

What is the longest you keep them plugged in? The block heaters, i will plug in from october 15thish, until i pull the engine around thanksgiving.

I wouldn't leave them plugged them that long. I have accidentally done it overnight. If your worried about freezing over the winter, I would recommend you swap in some antifreeze. Or use a space heater on a thermostatically controlled switch.

quote:

Originally posted by CURTIS REED:
I can see the ones that Bill uses in his radiator hose being a good part. I only have AN lines on everything so it won't work for me and filled blocks don't allow the use of the core plug heaters.

AN line here as well. I was going to buy the one for a 1" hose and see if I can tap npt threads in it

quote:

Originally posted by SP 124X:

quote:

Originally posted by CURTIS REED:
I can see the ones that Bill uses in his radiator hose being a good part. I only have AN lines on everything so it won't work for me and filled blocks don't allow the use of the core plug heaters.

AN line here as well. I was going to buy the one for a 1" hose and see if I can tap npt threads in it

Kay’s offers a 1” also that might lend itself to a 3/4npt. You might see if you can find out the id of each and see which is closer to the diameter you need to tap. A 1” npt can take considerable amount of force to thread and that’s a thin wall.

https://a.co/d/2XFRP8K

I know someone that used a core plug heater for winters and never put antifreeze in. Just lucky the power never went out or the heater burned out. I'll buy some antifreeze, cheaper in the long run.

I have a 120v water heater element welded into the bottom of my aluminum radiator. It works great for cold weather. Similar to this.

https://www.amazon.com/DERNORD...rd_i=B0B5SP9YK1&th=1

Kats freeze plug block heaters for 12 years in all sorts of engines. Never an issue. Plug in and water temp, last weekend, went from 59 degrees to 125 in 40 minutes with just one heater plugged in. I usually heat it, start it and let it show about 160 on gauge and then bump the water pump a few times to stabilizer the temp. Then drive it around to just pump oil and lube everything.
I am not fast, the S10 is a 6.50 player, deadly consistent and has the same 406 in it for 841 runs.
I accidentally found out, turn the idle mixture screws in 1/2 turn before starting it and I save 15 minutes of driving around to get it to 180+ for the initial heat soak. Rupert 1000 cfm 4150 alky carb.

Jok