engine Block Heater

[Tom 2300]

So my MF block heater has arrived. Any advice for installation on a GC? Is it going to make a mess pulling the freeze plug? Do I need to drain or lower a level. Anybody done this themselves?

Yes I installed mine myself. It was not hard to do but you do have to drain the coolant. My GC2300 has a coolant drain on the left side of the engine that is on the outside of the frame.
After draining the coolant you need to remove the soft plug. Its a little trickey because their is a web inside the block in the center of the hole so I took a punch and very carefully punched in the plug on the edge toward the front of the tractor. Just enough to where you can get hold of the edge of the plug toward the rear of the tractor and pull it out. Be carefull not to hit the web in the block.
Clean the hole of any burs or rust, lube the hole and the o-ring on the block heater and with your hand you can push the heater on the hole.
The factory heater is unique in that their is a flange with 2 bolt holes that hold the heater in the block. Their is no room for the heater element inside the engine block so the heater sticks out from he block and the element is inside a tube surrounded by the coolant.
I have never seen a block heater made like this one.
Close the coolant drain and refill with coolant.
Good luck
Tom

 

[ray66v]

After draining the coolant you need to remove the soft plug. Its a little trickey because their is a web inside the block in the center of the hole so I took a punch and very carefully punched in the plug on the edge toward the front of the tractor. Tom

If you punch a hole in the center, and screw in a slide hammer, (provided you have one), it will come right out.

The factory heater is unique in that their is a flange with 2 bolt holes that hold the heater in the block. Their is no room for the heater element inside the engine block so the heater sticks out from he block and the element is inside a tube surrounded by the coolant.
I have never seen a block heater made like this one.
Good luckTom

Sounds like those who want one, will continue to get robbed, until an after market company decides to take it on.

 

[gpflepsen]

So, what the cost of the "robbery"?

 

[ray66v]

So, what the cost of the "robbery"?

I have not bought one. I believe the going rate is around $125

The internet is full of block heaters in the $30-50 range.

My tractor has always started fine, so there is no way I'm spending big money for one.

 

[Kal130]

So, what the cost of the "robbery"?

I got a quote for $135 & $127. Two different dealerships

 

[irvingj]

I paid around $130 for mine, as I recall. Hated to spend that much, but it really did fit perfectly. I noticed it was made in Canada, not China.... I thought the quality of the materials and fit & finish were quite good.

Tom is right, the way it's made there's only one way to put it in, so orientation isn't an issue. His instructions on install were good. Mine didn't take too long, and the lube is a good idea; the block heater is sealed with an o-ring that fits into the freeze plug hole in the block.

On a related note (see "Uh-oh, This could be serious" thread), Since I've put in my "temporary" --but heavy-- ground strap that goes from the frame to the block (near the oil filter), I haven't had any trouble starting my GC without using the block heater. Apparently the damaged original strap was reducing juice to the glow plugs before it let go completely and killed the starter, which alerted the operator to the problem....:ashamed: I think this might well explain the moderately hard starting I'd been experiencing for the past year or so.

 

[Tom 2300]

I got a quote for $135 & $127. Two different dealerships

Try Lawn Mower Parts

Mine cost me $99.99 plus $9.99 shipping.

If your not in Maryland their are no taxes.

Tom

 

[Kal130]

Can I assume this means nobody wants measurements?

 

[MF RED in MT]

So my MF block heater has arrived. Any advice for installation on a GC? Is it going to make a mess pulling the freeze plug? Do I need to drain or lower a level. Anybody done this themselves?

I have a link in this thead, post #2, that explains how I installed mine, :thumbsup:. KC

 

[irvingj]

Kal130, nice pics-- didn't think to get some shots of mine before I put it in.

You may have already read this, but the threads on the electrical connection are the same as a garden hose; you can put a garden hose cap on there to keep the cord safely removed and stuff out of the socket during the warmer months (all 3 of them!:laughing::laughing.

Just about 0 here this AM, and I'm about to go out & blow off the driveway...AGAIN. Time to get suited up, I guess.

 

[Kal130]

Kal130, nice pics-- didn't think to get some shots of mine before I put it in.

You may have already read this, but the threads on the electrical connection are the same as a garden hose; you can put a garden hose cap on there to keep the cord safely removed and stuff out of the socket during the warmer months (all 3 of them!:laughing::laughing.

Just about 0 here this AM, and I'm about to go out & blow off the driveway...AGAIN. Time to get suited up, I guess.

Think it was supposed to be -6 here in NCIN last night. Guess I'll see when I get off work this morning. . Glad we didn't get dumped on last night. I'd have to bust out the hunting gear!

 

[Jaylegger]

For the sake of pampering the tractor think I'll get one of those heaters. Irvingj, just got in from blowing started at 4:30 and it's a losing battle here, it's blowing like ****, some drift cutters would be nice right about now.

 

[Kal130]

Kal130, nice pics-- didn't think to get some shots of mine before I put it in.

You may have already read this, but the threads on the electrical connection are the same as a garden hose; you can put a garden hose cap on there to keep the cord safely removed and stuff out of the socket during the warmer months (all 3 of them!:laughing::laughing.

Just about 0 here this AM, and I'm about to go out & blow off the driveway...AGAIN. Time to get suited up, I guess.

Hose cap seems like a good idea, BUT. I tend to suffer from CFS quite frequently and I can very easily see me at the parts counter every fall ordering a new cord. Lol

 

[ray66v]

Can I assume this means nobody wants measurements?

Thanks for the photo's.

I would sill like the diameter of the part that you insert, and the length of the insertion.

 

[Kal130]

Thanks for the photo's.

I would sill like the diameter of the part that you insert, and the length of the insertion.

Diameter of shaft. 1.4125"
Depth of penetration. 0.4245"
Approximate OD of O-ring 1.45"

Good luck

 

[ray66v]

Diameter of shaft. 1.4125"
Depth of penetration. 0.4245"
Approximate OD of O-ring 1.45"

Good luck

Could you be more precise please?

Any chance you could mic the freeze plug?

Thanks

 

[ray66v]

There are some with the same kind of limited depth.

SUBARU FORESTER IMPREZA OUTBACK ENGINE BLOCK HEATER - eBay (item 130484122539 end time Feb-14-11 15:03:24 PST)

Now it's a matter of looking for this size.

Fabricating a mounting bracket to bolt it on, would certainly not be difficult. You could use a design like the used to hold a distributor in.

 

[Tom 2300]

Could you be more precise please?

Any chance you could mic the freeze plug?

Thanks

The freeze plug is 36MM
Tom

 

[JMynes]

Can I assume this means nobody wants measurements?

Can the cord be turned 180* and still go together? I hate how my cord loops up and over the top. It has to be stressing the wires, given vibration and all.

 

[ray66v]

36 mm seems to be an odd size. 35mm is very popular. Even 36.5 mm is more popular than 36mm.

I found several possible options, but they have few specifications, besides the 36 mm bore. So, I sent an e-mail to Zero Start, along with the photo, and specifications.

I will post any replies.