Block Heater Confusion

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jan 17, 2007 | 09:42 PM

BD15

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 8

Likes: 0

Block Heater Confusion

I'm sure for many of you this is an old question but I have been unable to find the answer. I have a 97 F250 2 wheel drive 7.3 PSD. Through my reading on the internet it has been stated several times that all PSD's have a blockheater you just need to find it.
Well I have stopped looking unless I'm looking in the wrong location. From the information posted on the internet it appears that there are 2 possible locations. One in a freeze plug and the other is just above the oil filter. I have looked above the oil filter and there is a plug installed. I think I have looked at all of the freeze plugs and I do not see anything that would look like it.
This truck came from Texas so I'm assuming the previous owner never needed to use the heater. I have read that if the motor was replaced at some point with a new long block that it would not have a block heater, fact or fiction I don't know.

So maybe someone can finally answer the question, Where exactly should it be? This answer will also tell what I need to buy to install one.

Thanks in advance for your help.
Brad

Last edited by BD15; Jan 17, 2007 at 09:49 PM.

Jan 17, 2007 | 10:13 PM

andy's 96' 250

Junior User

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 73

Likes: 0

i would start by looking for the plug to plug it into 110 A/C. mine is a 96 psd 2wd and it is located at the front driver side of the engine compartment. between the framerail and the power steering pump i think it runs back from there between the PSP and the fraimrail to the side of the pan. i'm not sure about the exact location where it enters the motor

Jan 18, 2007 | 07:40 AM

utahcrew

Senior User

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 149

Likes: 0

From: Northern Utah

BD15, I have a 1997 f250 4x4 and mine is located right by the oil filter (on top). crawl under your truck and look. I hope this helps. Good luck.

Jan 18, 2007 | 08:31 AM

ruger761

Tuned

Joined: Oct 2006

Posts: 358

Likes: 0

From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

The block heater on the 97s was optional. I have a 97 and had to add one to a freeze plug next to the oil filter. Got it from advance auto parts online. Was about $20 if I remember correctly. But its a good idea to get new anti-freeze since it will drain out of the freeze plug anyways. Its kinda hard to get the block heater to seat correctly in the block. Oring is very tight.

Jan 18, 2007 | 10:07 AM

Brians97F250Crew

Elder User

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 726

Likes: 1

yea ... roll under your truck and look up towards your oil filter. If you see a bright orange cable plugging into the oil cooler just above the filter then you have one. If there isn't anything plugged in there the heater may be installed but there is no cable. Then all you'd need to get is the wire. Hope this helps.

Jan 18, 2007 | 09:08 PM

RLC2269

Freshman User

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 26

Likes: 0

I found my 110 plug between the breather box and quarter panel all coiled up nice and tight. not sure if you are looking for plug or actually trying to find the heater. good luck.

Jan 18, 2007 | 10:33 PM

BD15

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 8

Likes: 0

Thanks for the info everyone. I think rugar761 might be right that it was an option that was not installed. I have been concentrating on looking for the heater itself, I figured if I found that then I could trace the cord to the plug. The location above the filter where it is suppose to be has a pipe plug installed. I believe on the 97 model year that this is where it was suppose to be installed but is not.