Its been so cold my truck won't run...I think I need a block heater..Help please

[ChevyDude]

Yeah, it's been down to minus 8 degrees and my truck is not happy with the cold temps. Some of the guys around here are telling me to put a block heater in it. I found this one one ebay and was going to but two (one for either side). Are these the right size for a Chevy 350 block? You guys that maybe have block heaters installed, is this a a good heater to go with or do you have a better suggestion? Thanks again for your valued advise!

hhttp://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&category=46096&item=2452184163elp!

[CPNE]

A block heater keeps the oil warm enough so it does not thicken in frigid temps. I will help your truck crank over easily, that's it. It will not make your truck idle smoother at cold operating temps. You need to adjust your fuel and ignition system or be patient and let the engine warm up before taking off.

[dubie]

If you need a block heater, just go to your local parts store and buy one, they are only $25 or so and come with the cord. Ford a small block all you need is 1 heater, especially if it's only -8 F You may also wanna buy an electric battery blanket

[CPNE]

Dubie, I don't know about you but I don't even get concerned about cold weather starts until it gets -20F or so.

Additional advice in cold weather, keep the tank full. Condensation is not your friend!

[biglou55]

I had one that went in a freeze plug hole . It worked great easier starting almost instant heat. less gas to warm it up completly. a plus allthe way around locally bought a an automotive parts store.

[dubie]

Yeah, Jeff, it's -27 here right now and it feels like a spring day compared to the -45 we have had for the past 5 days The only concern I need is pluggin in my diesel on cold night, or she just won't start for me Another friendly tip is to buy some gas line antifreeze, like Jeff said, condensation is not your friend in the winter

[StingRay]

Run 5w30 or some synthetic 0w30,0w40 or 0w50. Make sure your starter is in good shape and all of your battery cables/terminals are clean and in good shape. Get a good 800 or 900 cca battery and it'll start in any weather. Of course your carb/choke setup is very important. I start my truck when I'm at work not plugged in all of the way down past -40. Don't run tons of ignition advance as it will hinder cranking. I'll also assume no 12 to 1 compression ratio.

[ChevyDude]

Thanks guys! Ok here's what I'll do. Get new Optima battery (I think they are the best, Right?) New battery cables. Get battery blanket. Change oil to 5w-30. Install 1 freeze plug heater, and have carb adjusted. I think I'll be running then.

[StingRay]

A good Interstate or any other conventional brand name battery with about 800 cca will be just fine at half the price. I don't think a battery blanket should be necessary unless you'r gonna see temps below -40. I don't use one as I can't plug in at work and I never have a problem. A thing to consider is that you need about one cca for every cubic inch. In sever cold a battery has half or less of it's rated cca. 800 should do just fine on it's own for a 350( or a 383). For a big block in severe cold of -30 to -40 it would be a different story. Then synthetic oil would be needed and a huge battery or two batteries. A battery balanket will also be a good idea on a single battery on a big block but you have to remember that you have to have a plug in to use it. In such a case the block heater would be a better choice. As far as block heaters go I run one on each side of the my 350 so it has even heating and the engine will wear much better through it's life. If electricity cost is an issue just use a timer and run it half as long. I figure I save the electricity cost just in fuel cost because the truck warms up so fast after I start it.

[Perchjerker]

Wow, I went fishing 2 days ago, it was about 75!

[dubie]

I have never used a blanket either, but you would be amazed to see how many people do use them. A good battery, the proper oil, and a block heater is all I have ever used up here and rarely have any trouble. I had a battery freeze on my this past weekend in the wife 95 GMC but it was the original Delco battery and was getting weak anyways. I replaced it with a 7 year Napa 900 CC battery, so we're good to go

[oldsub86]

If you don't get extreme cold there and only have a few occasional days of cold weather you may not to actually install a block heater. Just hanging a trouble light under the hood will likely provide enough warmth for your engine and battery to be more cooperative. Just be careful not to let the bulb touch anything that might cause a fire.
There are also block heater that attach to the oil pan or go into the rad hose. They would be much easier to install and would work about as well.

[67Fleetsidedream]

I have Optima battery. Best dang battery out there. It will not freeze and it is sealed. You should go ahead and fork out the extra cash and get one. You'll be glad you did.
Another tip would be to park your truck so that the wind is hitting the back of the truck. You would be surprise how fast a engine will cool down with the wind hitting the truck in the front.

[ChevyDude]

Gonna get the Optima...they sell them at Costco. Already bought two freeze plug style block heaters (one for both sides). Truck is also having Carb checked for correct atom vaporazation in cold weather. I am probably going overboard but I have been stuck for 2 days now and don't want this to happen again. Thanks again for all your help.

And truck ALWAYS will be in the garage at night from now on. I left it out the night that it got to -8. Stupid me.

[Maximum Overdrive]

I have just one block heater in my truck and it does fine. I just make sure my battery has twice as many cca's as the cubic inches of the motor. Another thing you might do is if your worried about the battery just put on a couple of quick connect/disconnecters and remove the battery at night and take it inside when it gets really cold.

[1969 GMC]

My truck had a radiator hose heater installed when I bought it, how exactly does this work? Could it start a fire? I know antifreeze won't burn, lol, but I meant the part of it that receives the electricity. It looks kinda old.

What kills me in the cold isn't the engine not starting, but the clutch pedal...tonight when I got out of work it was hovering around 0 deg F, and when I depressed the clutch, it didn't come back up by itself. I am used to pushing it up a little with my toe to make sure I am not driving with it partially down, but it actually hindered my driving tonight. After about 20 min of driving and regualar stop/go, it will be good to go, but not before then. Anything I could do? Sorry to hijack the thread.

[shuttermutt]

I've heard those heaters that splice into your heater hose are pretty good since they pump as well as heat. Sure, the freeze plug replacements will circulate the water a little thanks to the laws of physics, but I like the idea of having warm water moving through the block. Don't take it from me, though. I haven't bought any such thing for my truck... yet.