The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Oil Pan Heater

I like to use a magnetic oil pan heater when it gets below 10 deg. in addition to the usual freeze plug heater. I put it on at night and take it off in the morning.

[img]http://www.sandeace.com/48/OilPanHeater.jpg[/img]

Does anyone know of a heater designed to be left in place while driving? The magnet on this on might be strong enough and I could cut off the handle but I'd like to see what might be available.

Thanks!! And yes, the exhaust pipe is too low.

Either jegs or summit has an oil pump heater. It has the heater element encased in a sleeve which is welded into the oil pan.

Hi Wally,
I bought a heater for my wifes car when it was having trouble starting in the winter that you leave in place. I never installed it because we found out that the coil was bad and when we replaced that, it started fine. This one installs on the heater hoses and when plugged in, circulates the water in the raidator and block to keep things warm. I have been going to install it on my tractor as the heater hoses are just looped to keep the heater from leaking, but havent gotten around to it. Could use it today as its 6 degrees here today without the wind chill. Hope that helps. My 48 3/4 ton always starts, so I dont mess with it
Ralph

There are "dipstick" heaters that warm the oil and can be left in place while driving, but the percolator heaters that are plumbed into the heater hoses will probably do a better job of keeping the entire engine warm, plus you'll have heater operation almost immediately.
Jerry

Jason, I like the idea of a heater right under the oil pump. Is it just tacked on with welds?

The last time I looked in the applications book, only a freeze plug heater was listed for the 235/261. Some engines don't have the right convection circulation patterns for a tank heat (heater hose) or a lower radiator hose heater. The heating element overheats.

I had a 1500 W tank heater on a 283 when I lived in Wyoming. One hour is all it took in very cold weather.

Jason, I like the idea of a heater right under the oil pump. Is it just spot welded?

Guess Who?

Up here folks use a Silicone Pad (5x7 +/-) stuck to the bottom of the pan. The auto stores have a basket full, I think they have the plug built on now.

Site in post below.

Buddy

Wally, I was assuming that you want to heat the oil; possibly in addition to the coolant. I have used a tank heater with good results on my 302. But they don't heat the oil.

The oil heater is Jegs p/n 861-6770. You drill a hole in your pan, weld a bung on, and screw the heater in. It has a stainless sleeve to prevent direct contact with the element. I have not used this heater but I like the concept.

Here is a site with a Moroso pad

http://www.moroso.com/catalog/categorydisplay.asp?CatCode=15014

Buddy

Thanks, guys! I like my freeze plug heater for what it does but I'm also interested in heating the oil. My old 235 and new 261 start just fine when it's cold but I want to baby the 261.

Jason and Buddy, It's interesting that those products are designed for racers who don't want to start their engines when it's as cold as 65 degrees!

Jeg's unit heats the oil from 60 deg. to 180 in 45 minutes. One of the Moroso oil pan pads heats from 66 to 160 deg. in 25 minutes. Moroso has another lower wattage pad that my freeze plug heater can keep up with. I think I'll get that one.

Thanks, everyone.

Wally,

Nice to hear that you are taking care of that 261. What did I just see, is it about 15 degrees there now??? Gotta love it. I defintely miss those days.

Oh, by the way, it was about 73 degrees here today .

Keep that old engine warm! Talk to you soon.

Hey, Steve! We spent two years in Gainesville so I know what you're "going through." Do you ever use the Griz Cam to see what you're missing? It's been a lot nicer here than back east.

I'm taking care of that 261 so I don't have another 18-months of working on the truck in the driveway. That included two winters!

Merry Christmas to you, yours and all Stovebolters!

Rather than running a block heater or pan heater all night try putting it on a timer. Just takes about an hour or so to get hot enough. Saves running electricity all night.

Wally,

I have checked out the Grizcam from time to time. It does make me miss the mountains a little....until I realize that it is December 30th and it is 76 degrees! A far cry from the cold winters working on the trucks in the uninsulated, unheated garages out there.

Was that sound file you sent me from the engine running in the winter?? If so, man that sounds good.

Steve,

The sound file was recorded after driving the 3 miles home. I posted some links to other sound files in a post in the "General" area call "Listen to my 261." Even the smoothest, quietest engine has some pretty violent stuff going on inside.

Happy New Year.

They do make ones that stick on as well. I don't have one but my boss has used them on his Cummins diesels with great luck. They are 4X4's and he travels through winter roads and has not lost one yet.

Shop around, maybe check www.canadiantire.ca