Cooling jacket & block heater

[NHerron]

Hey everyone, I been trying to install this block heater with the included directions.

*6 bolt in a 2g Eclipse*
Here is the side I'm working on. Directions say to use 2nd from left but the knock sensor casting gets in the way. This thread, http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/194688-can-i-add-block-heater-my-eagle.html says to use 2nd from right in post #9 but that's a no go since my heating element reaches too far and hits the cylinder wall.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

Obviously my question is what other core plug location can I use? I don't remember what parts get in the way if I were to use an 'unknown' core plug location if you get what I'm saying.

One other thing, I got the block back from the shop after all the work done. During the attempted block heater install, I found a huge wad of...I-don't-know-what-to-call-it schhhutff. I'm sure there's more in other places but is this pretty normal?

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

Feel free to comment on the gunmetal paint job!

 

[synthetek]

One other thing, I got the block back from the shop after all the work done. During the attempted block heater install, I found a huge wad of...I-don't-know-what-to-call-it schhhutff. I'm sure there's more in other places but is this pretty normal?

Who built your engine? was the block hot tanked? That doesn't look very good, I wouldn't want that in my cooling system

 

[NHerron]

My local machine shop took out the old core plugs, hot tanked, and replaced with new cores so I know they must have seen it and that's why I'm wondering. It defiantly doesn't look like rust though. Since the cylinders block the immediate turbulence from the water pump, I don't think that stuff would get picked up especially since it's very heavy and didn't break apart easily. I'm thinkin' someone used a bottle of radiator stop leak that ended up in the block?

 

[NHerron]

Well I checked it out real good today and couldn't find anymore mysterious oily chunks so I'm good there.

I don't necessarily need anyone who has experience with putting in a block heater, just an idea of other spots to try, mainly because I don't remember what parts are in the way. I was thinking of sticking it in one of the cores near the water pipe. Anyone see a problem with the heat generated in that area? I mean turbo heat.

 

[mschlanglv]

Which block heater are you trying to use? The only one that fit for me was from NAPA. Oreillys, rock auto and carquest all had heaters that would not fit, the NAPA heat slid right in.

Did you check out this thread?

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/194688-can-i-add-block-heater-my-eagle.html

 

[NHerron]

Which hole did you use? Thanks and yes, actually I did it was included in my original post maybe you didn't see it? I'm just wondering if someone could tell me about part clearances and such, with the heater sticking out the core plug. I guess I will update the thread when I'm done setting up the engine and such. Would be nice for an informative thread on block heaters since there isn't much to speak of.

 

[mschlanglv]

Yeah, missed that you had the link. I'll have to double check, but I think I used the hole under cyl 3.

I'd be concerned about having the heater on the front near the turbo, especially the radiant heat after shutdown. One melted wire and your car could be electrically "hot"!

I know your frustration, I spent 4 days trying different brands of heaters while my car sat on jackstands.

 

[NHerron]

Thanks, mschlanglv that helps, I will use the Napa part number tomorrow and see what their's look like. I bought the heater off eBay 3 months ago and getting around to installing it.

I was thinking the same thing about heat from the turbo even if I were to do exhaust heat tape I still don't like the chance.

 

[NHerron]

Okay, I'm getting awfully close to dropping this engine into it's home, whoever has some more ideas, SPILL EM!

I went to my local Napa here and they had to order it. Well when I got the heater, IT WAS THE SAME EXACT ONE off of eBay! Darn. It's made by 'Kat' for Napa and the part number is: 11411. I researched everything I could and the only helpful stuff was in the thread I pointed out earlier which includes 2 sets of Napa part numbers but I can't find them anywhere online or the Napaonline.com website. To reference those number they were: Napa, 605-3248 / 605-3250 & Zerostat, 310-0021 / 310-0024.

For a minute, I considered clearancing the knock sensor casting a little, just to see if it would fit like the instructions say. Looking closely at the block deck, I realized the heater element would just hit the cylinder wall again just like the 2nd hole from the starter side that I first tried.

 

[NHerron]

UPDATE:

Today, I attempted to install the 'Kat' heater in the core plug indicated in the directions. That is, 2nd hole from the left in the picture above. Or 2nd hole from the timing belt, firewall side.

Problem, was that the knock sensor casting got in the way. So I took my Dremel and cut a bit off the brass heater 'housing' instead of cutting up the block. It almost worked. Except the heating element pressed up against the cylinder wall indicated by copper marks left on cylinder wall. It was so close to seating all the way, that I tried bending the element down just a tad but it was still giving me problems. I can't find any other block heaters so....

Does this mean I should buy a remote start for the cold mornings ?

If anyone has any other part numbers, list them here thanks.

 

[hhuricane]

Just get a lower rad hose heater and be done with it. I've had one since my car was new in '90 and it has always worked well. Better than most "block" heaters I've used over the years. Super easy to install and heats both the block and rad at the same time. Just measure the ID of the lower rad hose and get the appropriate one from NAPA or whoever is your preferred jobber.

 

[NHerron]

Well guys I called Napa and gave them this number: 605-3248. They said they STILL had this part number in their system and I picked it up just the other day. I don't know what brand everyone else gets, but this number cross referenced to a KAT 11402.

I tried it in the 2nd hole from the transmission, firewall side. Then I tried the 2nd hole from the timing belt, firewall side. Both cases it didn't work for the same reason. Being that the screw you tighten is too long and touches the cylinder wall again.

Oh well it's not that bad of weather here, I just figured it was cheap enough while I had the engine out. Good luck getting a core plug out with the engine in the car...

 

[JrCRXHF]

I could not find one that worked well about 6-8 years ago so i went with a oil pan heater that just sticks to the oil pan when i need it.

It seemed to work pretty good in lower Michigan we only need block heaters in diesel. I do like the idea of a block heater in the car if i was still driving mine all the time i might look into during a motor build this summer.

 

[NHerron]

I think I'll look into that, being that it's an easier install with the engine in the car..

It would be nice to have heat right away and go but now that I think of it I'm already too lazy to hook it up to the ole 'Burb, haha.

 

[mschlanglv]

Just in from working on instaling a cyclone intake. For what it's worth, my heater is installed in the hole directly behind the back of the starter, lower right looking at the back of the block.