Block Heater

[athawk11]

Below are some photos of a block heater that was installed in my Willys. This 3A was used here in Colorado for the last 27 years to plow snow on a small car lot. �Age wise, this thing does not look very old, and once my frame off restoration is complete, it will see very little use in the cold season. I couldn't find any markings when I started to clean it up. It was installed below the generator and someone cut a hole in the heat shield (I think its a heat shield) to make room for it.

�I don't think I am going to put it back on the Jeep, but was curious if anyone had seen this type of thing before. �And if so, maybe you also know how old it is?

[rocketeer]

The ones I installed way back when, were installed directly into the block in place of one of the freeze-out plugs. This type, I believe, came along some time later, maybe the sixties or seventies. It is very similar to a heater currently being sold.



Larry

[p3ferris]

That is from the late 60's very early 70's.  J.C. Whitney, sears, Montgomery wards and many other low priced auto stores.  I like the one on the lower radiator hose.  10 minute change out.

[Gunslinger]

That one you took off the Willys looks a lot like the one my Dad has on his 1965 International Harvester 706 Diesel Tractor, thats a big block 6 cylinder.  I'll bet it didn't take long to warm up the Willy!!!

[athawk11]

Thanks for the responses.  Gunslinger, I'm not sure how well it warmed Willy.  I'm not sure it even works.  I never plugged it in.  The original installation looked really sloppy.  I just can't bring myself to put it back in.

If anyone out there would like to have it, I would be happy to send it.  I would keep the clamps though.  They look to be close to the right period.

Tim

[Gunslinger]

I don't think you need it, I live in Miinesota and mine starts all winter long, at least on the days its warm enough to drive it....

[jamesr]

I had one on a pickup in late 70's, while in Colorado.  It was plumbed in line with the heater hose, and the little pump in it recirculated the water through the block and heater, while a small heating element in it, heated the recirculated water.  Doubt if the water temp got above 60 degrees, but it defrosted the windows faster after start up, and gave some immediate cabin heat. Jim

[Gunslinger]

I had one in my 67 Buick, used to come home from school and plug it in at the pole in the yard, it always started every morning no matter how cold it got.  That ended pretty quick when dad saw the electric bill.  I think it was a lot, he never told me how much.  But I never got to plug it in again either....