Power cord running from grille to engine block?

[rad-man]

A buddy recently purchased a '72 C10 Suburban, and we discovered a mysterious power cord hanging out of the front grill.
After following it through the engine compartment, we discovered that it runs directly to the engine block.

What is it? Block warmer of some sort?
http://imgur.com/NVwR3

[nate_g_2003]

Yep, sounds like an engine block heater. My '72 GMC Suburban has one as well (it started as a California truck, then spent a good number of years in Montana and Idaho, before coming to TX in 2003).

[lowrollin70gmc]

Block heater. Warms up engine via heater that replaces a freeze plug. The bolt tightens up the rubber to seal against the block.

Oh you southerners entertain me; I used to tell my buddies in Cali that my Chevelle was an electric car.

[67 Burb]

Originally Posted by lowrollin70gmc

Block heater. Warms up engine via heater that replaces a freeze plug. The bolt tightens up the rubber to seal against the block.

Oh you southerners entertain me; I used to tell my buddies in Cali that my Chevelle was an electric car.

Block heaters are standard equipment on vehicles sold in our part of the world. I've even seen dual block heaters on a V-8 (one on each side).

Another item maybe not seen by our friends from the South is a plug-in battery blanket. Even with the block heater plugged in overnight, when it's 35 below zero, your battery has only a fraction of it's normal cranking power, so a warm battery helps starting on those frosty mornings.

Bob

[nate_g_2003]

Wow! I never knew they made battery warmers! haha

[67 Burb]

Originally Posted by nate_g_2003

Wow! I never knew they made battery warmers! haha

Here you go, Nate. Have a look.

Bob

[nate_g_2003]

Nice! Sort of similar to a drum(barrel) heater! Makes sense!

I'm just glad I'll (hopefully, fingers crossed!) never have to use my block heater haha.

[67 Burb]

Nate said: "I'm just glad I'll (hopefully, fingers crossed!) never have to use my block heater haha."

Don't rub it in.

Bob

[Mr Pops]

Hot rods hibernate up here.. The Blazer still has a block heater in case I need to kick it out of the garage to work on something else.. Go figure it would dump a foot of snow when I did that!

[crazyb0064]

i was thinking of throwing one in my 71 suburban, its going to be a all year round daily driver, and dont want too many issues getting it going every morning over here in western michigan. any body have advice one way or another on them?

[Mr Pops]

Originally Posted by crazyb0064

i was thinking of throwing one in my 71 suburban, its going to be a all year round daily driver, and dont want too many issues getting it going every morning over here in western michigan. any body have advice one way or another on them?

Most block heaters replace one of your frost plugs in your block. I usually start plugging my vehicles in when it gets to be about -15 C. Either plug it in the night before if you're starting it in the morning, or you can just plug it in a few hours before starting it. It's a night and day difference starting a cold vehicle that's been plugged in.
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