Has anyone installed a block heater in LS4100 series?

[nickmags]

nickmags, I don't see any reason why a magnetic oil pan heater wouldn't work, unless you had an aluminum oil pan.
Before Global Warming, we even resorted to electric blankets, light bulbs and even the wife's blowdryer when she wasn't looking.

Not much experience with diesel engines but my Ford 7.3 has never failed to start by using pan heaters and a trickle charger on the batteries.

Thanks Doofy. Had not thought about pan being aluminum - will check it before I order magnet heater. I actually used an old trouble lite with a 60 watt incandescent bulb last year. And yes I have backed out with it still plugged in - happened to look back forward and noticed the cord getting tight before I pulled it from the wall! Off topic, but, I heat my super-insulated pump house with two old style 60 watt bulbs in a old lamp - wondering what I'm going to do when my hoard of incandescent bulbs burn out.

 

[Doofy]

Hahahaha nickmags, Thought I was the only one that still heats with light bulbs. I have a 15' hand dug well in a 3' culvert. I have 2 bulbs dangleing, each on a separate switch. I use a Winter Watchman, tied to an outside light that comes on if my bulb burns out or if the temperature has dropped and I need to turn on the second light bulb. It works well. The first year I tried an electric milkhouse heater an almost had a heart attack when the electric bill came! The light bulbs get the job done much cheaper. Amazon still has a good supply of incandescent bulbs.

If the oil pan has a smooth bottom, I would just silicone on a pad heater and call it a day! I'd also use a timer

 

[nickmags]

My pump house is 4 foot square by five tall, looks more like an outhouse for short folks. Inside, like I mentioned is an old lamp with 2 60 watt bulbs, both on when temps fall below freezing (about mid Nov. here). I use two bulbs in case one burns out - there is still heat in the pump house. In the door I drilled a one inch hole and put a glass spice bottle in the hole so that half the bottle sticks out beyond the door. That way anytime I walk by I can visually verify the bulbs are working. One bulb keeps the super insulated pump house at 48 degree F when outside is at or above 15 Degree F. Seldom gets much colder than that here. If it forecast for single digits or lower, I double check both bulbs, at have one time put a additional work lite in.

Hahahaha nickmags, Thought I was the only one that still heats with light bulbs. I have a 15' hand dug well in a 3' culvert. I have 2 bulbs dangleing, each on a separate switch. I use a Winter Watchman, tied to an outside light that comes on if my bulb burns out or if the temperature has dropped and I need to turn on the second light bulb. It works well. The first year I tried an electric milkhouse heater an almost had a heart attack when the electric bill came! The light bulbs get the job done much cheaper. Amazon still has a good supply of incandescent bulbs.

If the oil pan has a smooth bottom, I would just silicone on a pad heater and call it a day! I'd also use a timer

 

[Doofy]

Nickmags, the spice jar is the very thing I've been contemplating for years for my windowless garage! I have forgotten to turn out the lights on many occasions. I finally decided on a tiny led pilot light that fits in a 5/32 hole drilled thru the wall. I guess, great minds think alike!

Our Winters are becoming shorter and warmer. I'm at 2,400 feet, kind of between two mountain ranges. My coldest temp last year was -21F. 50 years ago, it was common to have -55 to -65 degrees for several weeks at a time.

 

[Drewmon]

Just in case anyone wants to continue the actual topic of this thread, the following info was given to me directly from LS:

Kat's part number for the block heater is 11422 Amazon.com: Kat's 11422 4�� Watt 35mm Frost Plug Heater: Automotive

Zerostart part number is 310-0016 Amazon.com: Zerostart 31-16 Engine Block Heater: Automotive

It's a 35mm plug, to be installed in the rear left side of the engine, in a 6'oclock position.