Engine Heater, etc?
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Amherst, Wisconsin
Engine Heater, etc?
I have to start my truck every morning at 7:30AM to go to school & lately its been 20º or lower.
Is there anything I can get, like an oil dipstick heater or something to help it warm up faster & be easier on the engine?
Is it worth it?
The truck ALWAYS starts up with just one hit of the key, I never have to try twice to start it, but I was just wondering.
Thanks
Garrett
Is there anything I can get, like an oil dipstick heater or something to help it warm up faster & be easier on the engine?
Is it worth it?
The truck ALWAYS starts up with just one hit of the key, I never have to try twice to start it, but I was just wondering.
Thanks
Garrett
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
Likes: 4
From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Engine Heater, etc?
I just installed an oil pan heater and it is working very nicely. Easy installation and only 250 watts (about 2.5 cents per hour). See my results posted in this thread: https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/DCForumID95/451.html and I just posted the web sites there too. A water jacket heater would not likely warm your oil, whereas some heat from the warm oil pool will rise up into the block. Dipstick heaters are supposedly weak. I found most places 10 to 15 bucks higher than Wolverine (web site given at the link). Heaters avail in 12 volt if you want to get an auxilary battery for maintaining warmth in the parking lot at work.
INLINE SIX POWER!
'95 F150 XL
300 Cubic Inches of Low RPM Truck Torque! And twin-I-beams too!
"Drive a stick young man! There'll be time for automatics when you're old and unable."
INLINE SIX POWER!
'95 F150 XL300 Cubic Inches of Low RPM Truck Torque! And twin-I-beams too!
"Drive a stick young man! There'll be time for automatics when you're old and unable."
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,358
Likes: 3
From: Nebraska
Engine Heater, etc?
You can get a block heater at any parts store that goes in the bottom radiator hose. I've never noticed a huge benefit from them, and no instant heat. What I'd like to do someday is install one of the recirculating coolant heaters. We have these on a couple tractors and the difference is night and day in starting on a cold day. I'm sure you'd get heat pretty quick too.
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1995 F-150 Supercab XLT 155" 4x4 M5OD 302
1986 F-150 4x4 NP435 300
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1995 F-150 Supercab XLT 155" 4x4 M5OD 302
1986 F-150 4x4 NP435 300
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,682
Likes: 12
From: Saskatoon SK Canada
Engine Heater, etc?
Our 65 Mercury M-350 300 I-6 will start better than some of our tractors that have been plugged in. Does the truck have a block heater? Every vehicle up here in canada does for the -35'C winter. At least in Saskatchewan.
Nathan
Nathan 
