hi folks...

i'm looking for info on just what a block heater is, how it works, and how
it is installed.

my 91 fox isn't starting in this cold snap (i live in PA)...

i have another vehicle that i can use for a few days, and it will be warmer
on monday, but after that, it will be colder than it is right now.

thanks
andy

The conventional type is a small electric heater that installs instead
of one of the frost plugs in the engine block. You plug it in to regular
household current in your garage a few hours before you need the car and
the engine will be warm when you go to start the car. See
http://www.defa.com/heating4.php3?aid=7&lang=3&ndid= for a picture. The
fat end (to the left in the picture) is what goes into the engine block,
and you can see the heater coil inside it in the photo.

Andy Gingrich wrote:

i'm going to have to plead ignorance. i have no idea what a frost plug is.
could someone please clue me in ??

this is a 91 fox we're talking about here..if that means anything.


thanks much
andy

"> The conventional type is a small electric heater that installs instead

They look like giant bottle caps that are jammed backwards into holes in
the engine block. The diameter is in the order of 2". If your coolant
should freeze into a gel-like substance and expand, hopefully one or
more of the frost plugs will pop out and allow some of the frozen
coolant to escape rather than bursting the engine block.

Andy Gingrich wrote: