vsredneck
New member
I have always wanted to install a frost-plug block heater in my 1982 Kubota L345DT, engine model V1501-DA. This engine was manufactured before Kubota started manufacturing engines with a threaded port built into the engine block for the purpose of quickly installing a thread-in block heater. Without explaining why, the Kubota parts book claims they offer no frost-plug heater, only one that installs in the lower radiator hose. Not knowing if there was adequate clearance behind any of the three 1.25-inch diameter frost-plugs located on the left side of the engine. I checked around, including checking TractorByNet Forums, until finally locating a senior Kubota mechanic who insisted he had installed frost-plug block heaters in those earlier model L345DT engines. He further advised using the middle plug. Well, his memory was wrong, wrong, wrong! I first pulled the middle frost-plug and discovered that there is only about one-quarter inch of clearance between it and the #2 cylinder sleeve. I then pulled the front plug and discovered exactly the same clearance between it and the #1 cylinder sleeve. Without pulling the third plug I was able to inspect, through the middle frost-plug hole, the clearance behind the third plug. It was the same, about 0.25-inches, far less than what's needed for installation of a frost-plug block heater. Luckily, I had on hand two replacement frost-plugs that I bought as insurance against the mechanic being wrong, popped them in, and was back operating in no time. I'm posting this thread to assist any folks considering the same thing. It can't be done! You'll have to stick with a lower radiator hose heater.
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