Has anyone ever put an aftermarket block heater on an Iron Duke? I'm wanting to put one in, but want to make sure I go the best route. With the extensive and lengthy cooling system in them, there's a lot to consider. I've heard that the circulating tank type work really well, or even the lower radiator hose type. I don't really feel like pulling a freeze plug unless it's a straight forward job. Any thoughts on the best place to put one of these bad boys? Any ideas help!

https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/132779.html

My experience with a OEM block heater on the 2.8L.

It’s been installed for sometime now with no leaks and it still heats just fine. You can view the heater I installed online, it was plug and play for the 2.8L block freeze plug hole . The block heater was an easy install. Only issue is you have to refill coolant when finished. Many mm sizes are available if your freeze plug hole is a different size on the 2.5L.

All block heaters and in-line heaters fail heating at some point, just like a heater sold to drop in your coffee cup. The problem becomes just how much trouble to replace. I don’t see the block heater/ freeze plug style being any harder to do than the others, you need to refill the coolant for 90% of them anyway.

Some will say the heater restricts the coolant flow. Trust me, on the 2.8L stock coolant system it’s not an issue!

Personally I feel the block heater is the best result as it warms the entire block which is the goal in the first place. After all it’s not till the block warms that the coolant warms and you get heat to your seat.

[This message has been edited by Kevin87FieroGT (edited 11-21-2017).]

Planning a trip to Saskatoon?

Really👍

I just did mine because it was a factory build list item gone bad.

Freeze plug style it is! I don't have any experience pulling a freeze plug out. I don't even know where they're at on my 2.5L block. I have found some that say they'll fit right in. Is it any easy process to pull a plug and stick one in? And does it seem to actually help your engine out? I should have put one in when I redid the head last year, would have made life easier.

Take a punch, poke a hole in the plug, pull the plug out. Clean the hole mounting surface well. Put heater in with a little oil, or silicone, on the o-ring to help the o-ring during mounting. Snug the heater in per instructions. Refill coolant.

Again, get the right size freeze plug block heater. You might want to measure the block hole yourself before buying. Also make sure you have space in the coolant passage for the heater coil. The 2.8L has about 1/4” from the tip of the coil to the block once installed.

Oh yeah. Route your heater wire (120v.) away from the exhaust and other hot parts.

[This message has been edited by Kevin87FieroGT (edited 11-21-2017).]

AM Block heaters should go same as OE units but Some AM units maybe too big etc to fit the same.

OE heater for L4 goes here but plug hole is hidden by recall "shield" goes between head/block and exhaust.
So if the shield is there need to remove exhaust to access the plug then likely bend/mod the shield so heater have enough room so cord isn't pinch etc.


OE heater for V6 is harder to install... Make sure belts etc can't rub. View A shown heat element does not pointed down... goes at an angle same as outside block wall.


Both from 88 FSM.

note that all coolant heaters do not heat the oil and battery. Many times slow cranking is cold oil and/or battery.
Cold weather Make sure Oil is 5w or 0w per most Temp Charts @ API, FSM, etc.
See my Cave, Oil and Filter


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Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave

[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 11-21-2017).]

quote Originally posted by Gall757: Planning a trip to Saskatoon?

Hey, I live in Saskatoon. LOL.

Alternative:

http://www.canadianpolarpad.com/

https://www.amazon.ca/Canad...s=canadian+polar+pad

I have on on my BMW.