Block heater
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,812
Likes: 15
From: Central Ohio
Mine has a plug and I've never used it before.
I remember back when I first came to ohio - grew up in upstate NY (by the st. lawrence river) had an 85 corolla SR5 and had a plug hanging out the grill for the block heater. Would use it when the temps hit neg teens (if i rcall even saw a couple days in the -30's when I was a junior or senior in HS). Of course that thing was carberated and with a wimpy starter so it needed some help when it got down below -10 or so. When I came to Ohio no one even knew what it was. people saw the plug and asked if I had an electric car. Yeah... toyota made an electric corolla in '85
I remember back when I first came to ohio - grew up in upstate NY (by the st. lawrence river) had an 85 corolla SR5 and had a plug hanging out the grill for the block heater. Would use it when the temps hit neg teens (if i rcall even saw a couple days in the -30's when I was a junior or senior in HS). Of course that thing was carberated and with a wimpy starter so it needed some help when it got down below -10 or so. When I came to Ohio no one even knew what it was. people saw the plug and asked if I had an electric car. Yeah... toyota made an electric corolla in '85
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,209
Likes: 1
From: Louisville, Kentucky
If I am not mistaken, the engine block heater is an option on the order sheet that dealers in the northern states would most likely check that option off on all the vehicles ordered. I wouldn't expect it to cost much.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,351
Likes: 8
In '98 the block heater was not "an option" as such, it was a dealer installed accessory "Base Part Number - 6D008". My Dad's paperwork indicates it cost $28, but its not clear how much it cost installed. The '98 FORD Accessory Catalog claims "faster cold weather starting with less fuel waste and battery drain" & "Helps passenger compartment heater deliver warm air sooner."
We expect a record low temp overnite, but I don't plan on ever using the block heater here in FL. The temp may dip below 20, I'll be picking grapefruit so they don't freeze.
We expect a record low temp overnite, but I don't plan on ever using the block heater here in FL. The temp may dip below 20, I'll be picking grapefruit so they don't freeze.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 174
Likes: 2
From: Anchorage, Alaska
Luckily I am still at work far north of the arctic circle, it only got just above zero here. Enough to make it really nice-but not cause the problems.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,077
Likes: 1
From: None of your business
So do they or do they not all have block heaters. My truck made a terrible noise starting at -8 this morning. I think that's the coldest I've ever started it.
Mike
Mike
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,098
Likes: 11
From: Minnesota
We just came off of -30 below stuff. My work truck sits outside all year long, it is a 98 F-150...4.6, automatic. 4 hours is good enough, although I have found that if I leave it plugged all night, even the power steering is good right at startup. If it is going to be below 0 I will plug it in. I have forgot, and it starts OK at -20, but sounds awful!!!! My truck is 11 years old, has spent all it's life outside in Minnesota...it still has the original battery from 98. Other than pull the oil and filter every 3000 miles, along with normal maint., that's about all I've done to it. My 97 Mustang GT is a garage queen, only brought out on nice summer days, it has had 3 batteries. Daily driving is still one of the best things for longevity.
New User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
External mounted block heaters
looking for info on the OEM Plug type block heater. I am assuming it is simply an element that screws into a freeze plug and then has a 110v cord hanging out to plug in. Probably rated at 1000 watts max.I have an external heater procured after market. Looks like a beer can with two tube nipples. One is supposed to go to a fitting in the drain/freeze plug and the other splices into a heater hose.On the 5.4, the obvious place to mount the can is on the passenger side of the compartment as the heater hoses are on that side but I cannot find a freeze plug or drain plug to tie into. There is one on the drivers side of the engine but that makes the plumbing real messy.do the small freeze plug type heaters really work on this big engine?thanks
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 382
Likes: 0
From: Green Bay WI. / Wawa Ont.
The oe heater is on the rear freeze plug driver side. I doubt if they are 1k watt maybe more like a couple hundred not really sure. How many watts are the one you have?
New User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Block heater
The canister one I have is advertised at 1500 watts. Im sure I dont need that much in MI but I was hesitant to go with the freeze plug ones because they are rather small for a big block.
Just cant seem to come up with a good clean mounting system. I may have to go with the OEM type.
thanks
Just cant seem to come up with a good clean mounting system. I may have to go with the OEM type.
thanks