rbargeron
Elite Member
I finally got around to installing a Kubota block heater in my L5450. The job went well but I didn't think to take any pics. For anybody thinking about putting in a block heater, here are some details: (hope I'm not wasting bandwidth by repeating somebody)
Kubota's heater turns in to a fitting that you install in the side of the engine block. One heater part number fits a large number of tractor models.
First step is to drain the coolant - which on my rig was easy with a nice drain fitting they provided at the radiator. Next remove one of the freeze plugs on the left side - my engine is a 5-cylinder so I went with the middle one. The freeze plug was reasonably easy to remove by driving a large screwdriver through it and working/prying it out. The plug is very soft steel and doesn't fight back much.
This leaves a nice tapered hole that the tapered heater fitting is pressed into. There was some paint at the edge of the hole that I scraped out - then cleaned the hole with carb cleaner. The directions say to use loctite. There are about fifty grades of loctite these days - but I used their "high-strength" 27100 red, known in past years as "permanent" or "271". I drove the fitting into the block using a 1-1/8" socket, long extension and lead hammer. With the element turned a couple turns into the fitting, the socket slips over the flats and bears on the fitting. A long socket extension makes it easier to line it up for a straight shot into the hole. It doesn't go in all the way, there's still maybe 1/8" of exposed taper on the fitting when it is tight.
I turned the heater element back out to make sure no loctite had gotten into the threads, and left it overnight for the loctite to cure before installing the heater (with thread sealer) and pouring the coolant back in.
No leaks, No Drips, No Errors. Works like a charm. Life is good. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
One final tidbit - these heaters are 400 watts. Most Kubota engines will warm up enough to start easily with 1-2 hours of connect time.
Kubota's heater turns in to a fitting that you install in the side of the engine block. One heater part number fits a large number of tractor models.
First step is to drain the coolant - which on my rig was easy with a nice drain fitting they provided at the radiator. Next remove one of the freeze plugs on the left side - my engine is a 5-cylinder so I went with the middle one. The freeze plug was reasonably easy to remove by driving a large screwdriver through it and working/prying it out. The plug is very soft steel and doesn't fight back much.
This leaves a nice tapered hole that the tapered heater fitting is pressed into. There was some paint at the edge of the hole that I scraped out - then cleaned the hole with carb cleaner. The directions say to use loctite. There are about fifty grades of loctite these days - but I used their "high-strength" 27100 red, known in past years as "permanent" or "271". I drove the fitting into the block using a 1-1/8" socket, long extension and lead hammer. With the element turned a couple turns into the fitting, the socket slips over the flats and bears on the fitting. A long socket extension makes it easier to line it up for a straight shot into the hole. It doesn't go in all the way, there's still maybe 1/8" of exposed taper on the fitting when it is tight.
I turned the heater element back out to make sure no loctite had gotten into the threads, and left it overnight for the loctite to cure before installing the heater (with thread sealer) and pouring the coolant back in.
No leaks, No Drips, No Errors. Works like a charm. Life is good. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
One final tidbit - these heaters are 400 watts. Most Kubota engines will warm up enough to start easily with 1-2 hours of connect time.