It seems to me you want to put heat to the intake manifold at startup on very cold mornings and not necessarily after the water is hot. I've started my '48 at 25 below zero after 4 hours of frost plug heater under the manifold. It jumps to life and runs smooth right off the bat.

And once it's warmed up, it still runs great.

I found a Carter YF 2100S at a local junkyard once. It was sitting on water heated box which I stupidly left behind. I wouldn't have installed it on my '48 but it would have made a nice conversation piece.




1948 3/4-Ton 5-Window Flatbed Chevrolet

34 Years. Now with a '61 261, 848 head, Rochester Monojet carb, SM420 4-speed, 4.10 rear, dual reservoir MC, Bendix up front, 235/85R16 tires, 12-volt w/alternator, electric wipers and a modern radio in the glove box.