Winter starting a 450C. Block heater? Tank heater? My options??

[kilohertz]

Thanks Bruce, didn't know that. So it's thermosiphon like my MC is.

I'll read the directions when it arrives, but now I have a better understanding of its' principle.

Appreciate it.

Cheers

[Jim B]

This type heater is thermosyphon as Bruce said. Your heater should look similar to mine, the inlet is low on the side and the outlet is at the top when mounted, they are normally well marked. You may want to build a heavier bracket to mount it than the strap that comes in the kit. The block drain (low point of the coolant in the engine) would go the the inlet of the heater, which ideally will be located below the block drain. Mount the heater with the outlet (hot coolant) up. The outlet hose can go to the point of your choosing, to put the coolant back into the block, several acceptable locations have been mentioned. Lavoy's, Jason's, and my locations will all work, your choice on where you go. The most important thing is the outlet hose should rise all the way to where the hot coolant re-enters the engine. Avoid sags or going up, then back down with that hose, those things slow circulation and can shorten heater life. Make sure the pipe plug location in your thermostat housing is on the engine side of the thermostat, not the radiator side. Saw one on an truck engine someone did that on and it didn't work well, got the top of the radiator warm and still had a cold block.

[Lavoy]

They are thermosiphon, but for whatever reason, they want water flow a certain direction.
Lavoy

[kilohertz]

It's up to 0 today and thought I would go start it and move it to a good place to install the heater this week, but now, the starter is making some serious groaning noises and light smoke is coming out of it. So I guess despite it having new brushes and looking good and clean inside, it has other issues and could well have been spinning slower than required and could have been the problem from the start. Now I get to pull the starter in the middle of the field...at least it close to the shop.

Jeeeeez

Cheers

[DrLoch]

Recommend you replace the starter with a gear reduction starter. Mine starts much better with the newer style starter.

[B Town]

If the starter is spinning slow or with low torque consider troubleshooting low voltage delivery.

Best regards, Bruce

[kilohertz]

An update to the story...

I installed a new gear reduction starter, man what a difference, she wizzes right over in fine style. See my other thread for the starter failure story.

Yesterday I installed the KATS 850W heater, plugged it in this morning for 2 hours and when I went to start it the head was warm, the block was slightly warm, the exit hose from the heater was HOT,the intake was cool. I will have to take better pictures but for now you can see where it is connected. Turns out the threaded hole was in the water pump, not the t-stat housing like I first thought, I had all the barb fittings and elbows in stock and the installation was a breeze. The machine fired right up, it was 2C and in the sun...but I am happy with the heater.

Cheers