How to install Factory Block Heater???

[Johnny_S-10]

Hi I just purchased a block heater kit from the local GM dealer, and at that time realize how hard a block heater would be to install on a 4.3 engine. Could anyone help me on how to accomplish this task?

Appreciate it!

[orangesonoma]

what does it look like??

the ones i seen replaced the oil drain plug

[tippmann243]

im not familiar with the gm ones. could you give us a picuture or something?

is it one that warms the oil in the pan, one that replaced a freeze plug or one that splices in line of one of the radiator hoses?

[CatDaddy52]

Factory parts usually install in place of a freeze plug.

[tippmann243]

Quote: Originally Posted by CatDaddy52

Factory parts usually install in place of a freeze plug.

usually being the key word

[Johnny_S-10]

Sorry, my bad! The one I bought from GM is the knid that replace one of the freeze plugs. I talked to a mechanic and he said the only way to do this kind of install requires the engine to be lifted off the mounts, which seems too extensive for such a job. I was curious if anyone out there has any tricks of the trade that could help me....

Thanks for all the responses so far!

[dillon_b12]

Do you need one that bad? I live in Kentucky and the winters are never really really serious here but I've only used mine once and that was just for the hell of it.

Where do you live?

[CatDaddy52]

He's from MN....gets pretty ccccold up there!!

[Johnny_S-10]

I'm not for certain how bad I need one, since its only my 1st winter with this truck. But last year we had a week straight of -40 to -50 wind chill, and the vehicle I owned at the time wouldn't turn over, because of the cold, so this year I guess I vow to be overly prepared cuz you never know how weather will be like from day to day in MN.

[SpiderDallas]

I had one on my gt beretta when I was station in anchorage,alaska. I never used it though man I miss the mountains. The coldest I have seen it get was -50 below.

[travisn]

crawl under there and see where the freeze plug is and if the cross member is in the way.

I would return that and get one that replaces the drain bolt or splices into the coolant hose.

[Crew Cab Sonoma]

i belive the driver side rear freeze plug is
an acceptable place. its beween cylinders 3 & 5,
so it should fit. you wont have to lift and remove
the mounts to get at it.

DO NOT attempt to install the heater in the rear
passenger side freeze plug, as cylinder #6 is directly
behind it, so there isnt enough space for the heating
element.
align the element in a vertical position, pointing either up
or downward. turning it horizontally may cause contact
with a cylinder bore.

use silicone sealant on the O-ring and on the retaining
bolt sealing gasket or O-ring, to help prevent leaks.

[Johnny_S-10]

Thanks for the input Crew Cab Sonoma, the freeze plug according to the dealer that I should install it on was the middle passenger side, which is hidden by the cross member and alot of other things. But, I did hear from another source I could get to that one by removing the starter, but haven't gotten a chance to inspect that approach. But, I will inspect both this weekend, I really appreciate all the instruction you gave me, it just makes me one step closer to knowing my engine even better.

[Crew Cab Sonoma]

there is no "middle" plug on the 4.3's.
there are only two plugs per side of the block.
and the 96-later 4.3's got rid of the two plugs
each on the front and rear faces of the block.
only four freeze plugs total...

[Johnny_S-10]

Ok so according to you the only Freeze plug position you suggest me installing my block heater on my s-10 is the driver side back plug (closest to the firewall)?

[Crew Cab Sonoma]

yes. of the two rear ones, only the driver side is
feasible, due to cylinder wall interference.
both fronts clear the cyl. walls, but the mounts
and frame are in the way on them.

also, just draining the radiator isnt enough.
you'll have to pull the block drain plug at least
on the driver side, or you'll get drenched in coolant
when you pop that freeze plug loose...
once you take the drain plug out, you may have
to jab a srewdiver into the hole to clear accumulated
sediment out to get good drainage. expect about 2-3
quarts to drain out...

[Johnny_S-10]

Ok thanks again for this input, and I will let you know how it goes!

[goddspring]

i just replaced the wire on the womans zr2 this summer i had the engine out, but you still should be able to get to it. tryin goin in through the wheel well. i'll see if i can dig up a picture of where it is located. there is nothing on the back of the block mine was a 2000 also, its on the sides.

[Johnny_S-10]

Ok goddspring, that would be greatly appreciated if you could provide some sorta picture. Where was that block heater installed? I wouldn't suppose it would be possible to install on one of the front freeze plugs? Probably a stupid question but I learned a long time ago that no question is a dumb question, its always worth checking.

[Crew Cab Sonoma]

definetly possible to install one in the front holes,
just harder to reach with the engine still in the vehicle.

[goddspring]

ok i'm missin half the pictures i took durin the rebuild but i found this one. its sits just under the manifold. you should be able to reach it through the wheel well or possible from under, not sure on the under on the 2WD the 4X4 there is more room.



i'll try to find the other pictures because i know i have better ones.

[Johnny_S-10]

I finally got the chance to look under my truck while doing an oil change, and got a pretty clear picture of where it is located, thanks for the pic again, goddspring! I also make sure to drain the coolant first by letting it out by removing the block drain plug on the drivers side, thanks to the input from Crew Cab Sonoma, thanks again to you! I appreciate everyone who added to this thread! I'll let you know how it goes!

[Johnny_S-10]

I'm gonna do this fix pretty soon before the weather gets cold, but I was wondering if there was any trick to removing the frost plug on my engine. Any techniques, or special tools anyone suggests?

[SpiderDallas]

A good long thick screw driver is what I usually use or prybar depends on the size of the plug. Just usually punch a hole in the center of the plug the pry it out. That is the way I do it. I bet there is a better way and someone will chime in.