my 98 1500 obviously doesn't have a block heater and it's been getting down to -20F here lately. Is there any kind of block heater I can install on my tuck?

 

I looked on NAPA and found one when enter the data for my truck. So yes, it looks like you can get one. You will have to drain your coolant and knock out a freeze plug. They are a good idea, even in mild weather, since your truck will get to operating temperature quicker. That will help out your fuel mileage.

Here's the link for NAPA, but any parts store should have one. http://www.napaonline.com/masterpage...eeze+Plug+Type

 

theres also stick on pad style that stick onto the oil pan and help keep the block warm.. but nothing beets a block heater that replaces a freeze plug...

 

An insulated garage with a heated floor is even better. Uh, maybe not for the price difference.

 

ill delete these after im done..ASH you have any info on that heated floor garage system.. assuming your talking about the hot water tubes that are placed in the flooring when the concrete is poored?

 

Didn't mean to be smart there shott, just having fun. I know a little about the heated floors, just from hearing my father and brother discuss it. I can't remember all the details on the insulation, but I know it's important to put it down or you lose too much heat into the ground. Guys will run an outside furnace or a stove located in the shop/garage that heats the water pipes running through the floor. It will take about a day to get the floor warmed up, so once you have it warmed, you want to keep the stove burning constantly to maintain the temperature. If you have a shop that you are working in every day, it's the way to go. The concrete is very comfortable to work on, since you are taking out the "chill". If you bring in a wet or snowy vehicle, it dries it out from underneath, which helps to prevent rust. From what I've heard, you really don't need another heat source in the shop if you keep the floor heated. You can work comfortably without any heavy clothing. I wish I knew more of the technical details, such as type of pipe, how you bury it, etc. I know it's an investment to get it installed.

Here's another tip though. My brother has an enclosed shed with a dirt floor. He brought in some stone for the final surface. He stores his tractors in this shed and is having problems with condensation on the equipment. He found that by digging down a few inches and placing 1" high density foam insulation, it prevents the moisture from coming up through the ground. He did this in one small area, and you can see exactly where the insulation was placed. There is a straight line where the stone is wet and where it is dry. Now he is going to dig up the whole floor and put the insulation in and cover it back up. It will cost a lot less than installing concrete and is worth the investment to keep his equipment from rusting.

 

Thanks for the link ASH. I had searched on a couple other parts stores sites and they all said there wasn't anything for my application. I'm planning on flushing my coolant w/in the next month anyway, so I guess it'll be a good time to install[sm=goodidea.gif]

 

Knowing what the thread size and such is from that part you gave me. Do you think this one would work then?
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductD...rtnumber=11612

 

What is important is the diameter of the opening. Both of those plugs are for a 1-5/8" opening. That's probably a standard freeze plug opening size. On the Parts America site, I looked at the list of vehicles it fits, and it is quite large, of course our trucks aren't listed. I think it would work, but to be sure you could go to the Dodge dealership and ask for a freeze plug. Take a pair of calipers along and measure the diameter. Just remember that the freeze plug will be a little larger than the block opening because it is a compression fit. Unless someone else can verify the size of the opening, that's the best way I can think of to check it. You don't want to pop out your freeze plug then discover that the block heater is too large or too small. If you get it done, post your experience. I would like to know how well it works.

I put one in a Volkswagon rabbit years ago. I remember that it was a little hard to get it, I think it had to be pushed in at an angle. But I got it in and it didn't leak.

 

cool, thanks. I'm going to go ahead and try that $20 one. I may even just talk to them here and see if they can cross-reference the NAPA number. I'll let you know how it turns out!