Need Help Finding a Lower Port for LP Block Heater Install

[Big_Bad_Dually]

I plan on installing my LP powered block heater this weakend. I've been looking around the engine and trying to figure out how and where I'm gonna tap for the lower inlet hose on the heater. Im going to splice the top heater pipe for the top outlet I am going to be flushing the block and radiator, so a plug would help in when doing this also.



I'll take some pictures of the heater for you to see. It is an external type like the 110 volt ones just Propane Heated.



Thanks

Brian

 

[JohnE]

Brian;



I've got a 97 12 valve and it should be similar to your engine.

I installed an ESPAR and followed the directions to tap the driver's side block behind the fuel filter between the #4 & #5 cylinders. There is a pipe plug you remove with a 3/8" drive. It took me around 18 inches of extensions on the breaker bar to crack it loose.



The ESPAR outlet loops up and over the cylinder head to tap into the heater hose. Make sure to use the heater hose furthest from the engine to get good flow through the cab heater. The return hose will probably warm the engine, but not the cab.



I took around 150 digital photos of my ESPAR install. I'll be writing the story and posting the whole affair at <a href=http://www.nwbombers.com/ target=_blank>NWBombers</a> in a few weeks. I had a few problems reading the ESPAR instructions and want to help out others installing one. It was expensive, but is worth every penny!!



-John

<font size=1>fixed the <a href=http://www.nwbombers.com/ target=_blank>NWBombers</a> link. </font>

 

[Big_Bad_Dually]

John-



I think I'll try to use the 3/8" plug if i can. I don't feel comfortable drilling and taping a block in when Its in the pickup. The heater has a check valve in it so I was plannin on putting the outlet of the heater to the inlet line that goes to the heater core. Then I was trying to figure out where I was going to tap in for the inlet to the heater.



I wasn't planning on using it for a cab heater. Im using it so that its not so hard on the motor when i start it after school. I'll just go kick the propane heater on during lunch break and have a farelly warm motor to start. The high temp yesterday was 20 with 10-15mph wind and this morning it was 7. 8 degrees when I parked in the parking lot.



-brian