countrydriver

I have a 1998 chevy 1500z71, and was wondering what type of block heater works better.
I am looking at a stick on type for the bottom of the oil pan, or sticking with the one that is put in the main coolant lines from the rad to the engine. If the one that goes in the coolant line is better, should it go in the top, or bottom line?

kevinkpk

Unless it's real cold, I'd suggest a dipstick heater.

OLD WRENCH

Cant say from expierence but have read where dipstick heaters put so much heat in a small area that they "burn" the oil. I had a 86 that was hard to start and I put a heater in the LOWER hose it worked quite well. Probably the most effecient would be the ones that go in the freeze plug holes but they would be the most difficult to install.

countrydriver

would one of the ones that you put in the coolant line still work if you put it on the top line.

in2pro

The thermostat will block the heated coolant from entering the engine where you need it... using the lower hose allows the heated coolant to go into the engine unimpeded....

kevinkpk

I think with a tsat it (I agree) won't flow, but wouldn't it just deadhead coolent to the block? 100 watt light bulb on a drop light, might be redneck, but hey if your that concerned about cold, you might better worry about the battery also.

kevinkpk

rethink, that might have a small bypass around the tstat.

countrydriver

I thought the same thing about the top line but I was trying to find a way to install a heater without completly draining the coolant system

OLD WRENCH

Remember heated air or water goes UP.

basilkies

When I lived in Wyoming I found that just a light bulb under the hood helped. The main thing you need to accomplish is to keep the oil in the pan from getting cold and sludgy because it doesn't move well enough to let the engine turn over. Secondarily a warm battery holds more charge and delivers more charge, so battery blankets make sense too.