block heating

[lyonsy]

iam looking at block heating my next race engine to help keep wear down now down here we dont hear about block heaters and from what i have found its just basicly a welsh plug with a heating element on it.
now if i leave this on for weeks at a time will it burn out etc.
other benifits i can see are being able to set tappets when its hot and at a consistant temp

 

[rbohm]

8) block heaters are designed for short term use, 8 hours or so maximum generally. also they wont bring an engines cooling system to full operating temprature. as i recall it will bring it to something like 100 degrees and maintain that temp. block heaters were designed to prevent the coolant from freezing, and you only need 100 degrees F to prevent that under most extreme conditions.

 

[fb71]

that's been a somewhat common practice in race engines since the 60's. Many formula cars have hot water circulated through them for around an hour before they attempt to crank the engine. The Honda F1 team uses a propane? fired heater to heat coolant in a tank, then circulate thru the engine for 1.5 before the race start.

 

[Anonymous]

YES, THEY SHOULD BE USED FOR SHORT TERM USE... I AM SURE YOU COULD TRY IT FOR LONG TERM USE,,, ELECTRIC METER WOULD SHOW IT THOUGH... WE USE THEM HERE, THEY WORK GOOD... YOU CAN HEAR THEM BOIL THE WATER ALITTLE. MAYBE IF YOU HAD TWO OR THREE IT MIGHT WORK GOOD.

 

[XFlow_Fairlane]

I would look into an oilpan heater too. a block mounted heater only heats up the water and block but not the oil. you can get some stick on and magnetic ones. get a mag one and remove it before the race (so you don't loose it or damage it)

 

[JackFish]

I would look into an oilpan heater too. a block mounted heater only heats up the water and block but not the oil. you can get some stick on and magnetic ones. get a mag one and remove it before the race (so you don't loose it or damage it)

I've got one for up here for the Great White North, excellent item.
Both types of heaters are meant to be used when temps are below freezing, I think.
Perhaps there are low-power elements available, or you could also put it on a timer.
In the winter up here you run an extension from the house to your car and set the timer to go on an hour or so before you need to commute. Depending on the weather.
When it gets below -20 ya just leave it plugged in :santa;

 

[CoupeBoy]

When it gets below -20 ya just leave it plugged in :santa;

F or C?
-ron

 

[JackFish]

When it gets below -20 ya just leave it plugged in :santa;

F or C?
-ron

either way dude...

 

[StrangeRanger]

Doubly true at -40°

 

[Lazy JW]

I have used the tank-type heaters that actually circulate the water through the block. Commonly used on diesel tractors in cold country. A 1500 watt unit will melt the snow right off the hood.
Joe

 

[Harte3]

Cold Nebraska winters made a believer out of me. All the tractors and big trucks were equiped and I put them on my car and pick up too.

Two type of tank heaters that I know of...one verticle type and one horizontal...I prefer the vertical because it can be plumbed to draw out of the block whereas the horizontal is plumbed inline. Or you can use a freeze plug heater which I have now but they can be a PITA to change when they go out.

 

[lyonsy]

so there good then.
whouldent heating the block up also heat the oil as well? but since iam running thin oils 10w50 and about the clodest it ever gets where i am is 3deg C

 

[Harte3]

I usually don't plug mine in unless I know there is going to be a hard freeze overnight and I have to get up and go early in the am.

 

[Lazy JW]

....
whouldent heating the block up also heat the oil as well?...

Not much. The oil lies in the bottom of the pan and the coolant is much higher. The only heating would be what little will travel down from the block to the pan. You can buy a stick-on type oil pan heater from Katz.
Joe