Its been a minute or two since i've posted anything on here. Still use this site as it has an invaluable wealth of knowledge....so thanks to those folks that continue with their contributions. Its very helpful. And now to business...
i'm not far off from installing a "tank heater" on my truck. I've read around and found the proper order/plumbing of lines from block drain plug by starter...even with intake heater plate. Just not quite sure how to route the hoses just yet, and where might be a good place to mount the heater unit itself? I'd be interested to see if anyone either has a couple pics on file, could snap some for me...and if nothing else, this could be somewhere to post up pics of different engine heating provisions (for those of us that live further north.) I'm open to ideas folks. Thanks for your time.

 

I don't have pics but the outlet hose from the tank heater goes into the line going from the heater core to the heat plate for the intake manifold. I mounted mine to the firewall under the heater/defroster box with short, fat screw. Be careful of the clearance between the hose and the exhaust manifold.

 

thanks for the suggestions. Unfortunately i'm chasing an ignition issue that has sprung up recently so the tank heater has been sidelined for a bit. You dont happen to recall the pipe thread size/pitch of the plug in the block? I took a peek down there yesterday with a flashlight...looks like a real bear to break loose. Hopefully it wont be that bad.

 

IDK the thread size...a parts house might know the size as fittings and/or petcock drain plugs are commonly installed there.

 

cool, thanks for the tip. I'll look into that. Once i find the appropriate size, I'll post up for future reference. Still pulling my hair out over the ignition shenannigans.

 

I used a fitting with a 5/8 hose barb...no extra adapters or anything like that to fool with. Good luck on the ignition.

 

thanks harte. pretty sure i narrowed down the ignition issue, thankfully. also...the pitch for the plug in the block is 1/4" pipe thread. it was a bear getting the plug out. had to make me an extractor tool tailored for the application. came out alright after that. went to hardware store to find an appropriate barb fitting as you'd mentioned. bought a couple items that'd fit together and "work." got home, opened the box for my tank heater, and there was a barb fitting included with the hardware!

here's the unit i installed:
kat's heater part# 13150

it got too cold to do much else last night. I'll top her off this weekend and report back with official results. thanks again.

 

What I found with those heaters (have used them for years) is it probably saves a bit of electricity if on a timer and set it to come on about 2-3 hours before you are ready to start-up. That gives enough time/heat to get the 'edge' off the cold.

 

excellent suggestion. It would seem great minds think alike. I also purchased a plug in timer to use for the heater when i ordered the kats heater kit. I plan on finishing up the install tomorrow. Hopefully i'll report back with good news lol.

 

got all the tubing plumbed into the truck. plug in timer was well worth the investment.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/47745777?...&wl13=&veh=sem

ended up going with this timer. it has so many more settings than i'll ever need. adjustability is nice.

the whole install went pretty well, save the initial wrestle with the drain plug. after that, no issues at all. well worth the time and $$$ invested. Gotta have some form of heat provision up here in NW montucky.

 

Nebraska winters gave me my education in tank heaters over 40 years ago...and I haven't forgotten the lesson.