The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Know what this is?

Hi,

Found this cable rolled up beside the radiator of my 41 Chevy.

..here..

It connects to a sensor, or something, just under the manifold.

..and here..

I'm sure one of the many experts on this great forum will know what it is - and if it should be connected to something

Thanks

It is a block heater; common in northern climates for preheating the engine's coolant to ease starting in very cold weather( -20F or colder). Plug it into your house's 120V AC system about 1 - 1 1/2 hours before starting your engine. It will spin more freely and warm into its to operating range sooner.

Thanks.

Over here in Scotland is cold, but not -20

None-the-less, "Hotshoe36" has it pegged.

I'll leave it in place - you never know what the next 50 years will bring with all this global warming.

Thanks again Hotshoe36.

I would be cautious about plugging it in. After all these years the wiring may have deteriorated, and the part in the engine may have rusted, allowing water to seep into the electrical components.
Samantha

I don't think Dalbuie would have the right receptacle to plug it in to. If he was able to do so the voltage in his electrical supply is probably much higher than 120 volts.

Yes, we are on 240V here. I'll leave it as a 'feature' but won't be plugging it in. I only plan to use the truck during the summer anyway.

Starting to re-wire the truck this weekend - now that I've got the dash off - to get it ready for a summer outing.

Looks like a block heater to me too. FYI, posting pics directly into the thread is highly frowned on here. As soon as the moderator finds it he'll either fix it or delete it if you haven't already fixed it. It's strongly recommended to post your pics on a hosting site then put a link to the pics in your thread. I'm not a mod but just trying to save you some heat.

Thanks.

I'll just point to them in future - didn't know this wasn't allowed.

Do any of the other guys here know if the block heater is in one of the freeze plug holes? I think it would cause problems later (leaks, loss of antifreeze, ...worse). If it were me, I would keep the block heater, but not in the truck. It wasn't original equipment, was it?

Block heaters are usually in a frost/freeze plug hole. There is a good possibility it will leak if its that old. I had the block heater on my 81 Malibu corrode and blow out one day while driving. If that truck were mine I would replace it with a plug.
If its hard to get at, as was the one on my Malibu (under the exhaust manifold), you can put in an expandable rubber plug which tightens with a nut/bolt. Easy install and mine has been in for about 6 years on a daily driver.

Where would you get a expandable rubber plug, block heaters aren't something we have in the UK, I've certainly never seen one before.

They are available at nearly every parts store in the U.S. - you should be able to order one online. It is a 1 inch thick piece of rubber with a washer on each side, and a bolt through it. As the bolt squeezes the washers together, the rubber "squishes" out the sides - sealing the freeze plug hole. Be sure to measure the size of hole you are filling, as they come in various sizes.

Thanks. I'll ask at the local parts store or get one online.

Any one know what the whole size is on a 216?

I don't know the exact size you need but you can get a whole set of soft plugs at Chevs of the 40s for under $10 plus shipping.

Thanks, found them on the Jim Carter site and will add them to my next order.

I wouldn't try plugging that in as it not ony looks shot but like the ones of today and every other heating element there should be a 3 prong plug. The third is ground in the event of a short. If it shorts the electricity has only one way to go and thats to the nearest ground (the vehicle) and could do some serius damage. Up here in Canada on the prairies there used quite extensively in winter. Cheers Bob T