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It just doesn't get cold enough around here to need one. You are just going to instigate another possible leak and point of failure. I would suggest like others have said to get one that can go inline with the heater hose to warm up the entire engine. Another good choice is a stick-on one that goes on the oil pan. That really what you need to be warming up for a cold start to keep from starving a cold engine from oil during cranking.After reading the block heaters instructions it says to install it in the drivers side rear freezeplug hole.
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I just don't see how I can get that plug out without risking knocking it into the engine block and really screwing myself.
Also it just doesn't get cold enough here long enough to try. Seems like to much a risky PITA for the benefit. It came in the box of spare parts that came with the truck, maybe that's why. PO should have installed it when he put in the new motor.
I looked into the ones that go into the heater and radiator hoses and that looks like an easier way to go if I ever do.
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If damper is old and the oil has all leaked out, it will bind up, and bend itself.After researching my options I came to the decision of using an inline heater versus trying to get out a freeze plug would be best........... and how did I bend the steering damper.
I am not on ratsun.net, but thank you anyway.Thanks for the reply, yeah it looks like a PIA. Can't get a straight run at it. Guess I'll just have to muscle it out. It's getting cold here in central Oregon and the truck takes up alot of space in the garage with the snowplow on. Pics to come. Learned alot from you on Ratsun.net.Thanks
How cold does it get there? And do you actually have issues getting it to fire, or was the heater for some other reason? I ask BC my truck fires off in the teens no problem even when I've let it sit a few days.No worries on the ratsun thing. Somewhere I saw sir robin as a major contributor. Just wanted to acknowledge.
I'm backshelving the block heater thing for now.
Knocking out a factory sealed freeze plug just sounds like the wrong thing to do.
After plowing snow I've got to figure out what's next.
The NP 203 transfer case linkage needs adjusting and gonna replace the newly bent steering damper.
Freeze plug are better left alone. It's a pretty new engine and doesn't leak right now.
If it ain't broke don't fix it. Right?
Gonna get granny a new bum heating pad for Xmas. I'll use her old one as an oil pan heater for long as it lasts.
I originally started working on my square with a lower hose heater. It didnt work( i found out)But the damn thing being in the lower hose introduces points of failure(Possibilities) Because you now have 4 clamps , 2 hoses, and that hose is the one that takes the abuse from the water pump.If damper is old and the oil has all leaked out, it will bind up, and bend itself.
Zerostart makes several models of tank type block heaters. I prefer those, over a lower hose heater.