4.0L OHV & SOHC V6 Tech General discussion of 4.0L OHV and SOHC V6 Ford Ranger engines.

Block heaters

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Old 01-22-2008
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Block heaters

it was -15 this morning.. el truck didnt like starting and the tranny didnt want to stay in gear haha

anyways, to my question

those of you with block heaters where did you get them from? it would be nice to have heat before i get to my school parking lot and have to get out

i was going to drop by Advance after class
 
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Old 01-22-2008
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I cant help you at all...but I just wanted to let you know it was about 60 here this morning on the way to work.
 
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Old 01-22-2008
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haha, yea my mom back in Texas rubs that in all the time

i like it more than sweating before you can even get the tools out to work on the truck though.. i've sweat like 3 times here.. twice was when i was moving going up and down the the second story over and over
 
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Old 01-22-2008
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You should be able to pick one up at any parts store.
 
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Old 01-22-2008
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yep $20 at advance then another 15-20 for more anti-freeze

i'll do that in a week or 2
 
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Old 01-22-2008
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is it one that goes into the radiator hose or one that replaces the freeze plug? the ones that replace the freeze plugs work 100x more than the ones that go into the radiator hose...


i got my factory one off eBay new for $20 shipped.....
 
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they had the ones that go in the freeze plug and the ones that go in the heater core or something, then the one that goes in the hose..


if i leave it plugged in all night does it really matter which one i use?

i just want the one thats the least pain in the *** to install
 
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the one in the freeze plug is probably the easiest one to install...pop the freeze plug out and put in the heater....the hose and heater core ones you have to cut the hoses, drain some fluid out.....the freeze plug one doesn't loose that much fluid since it is 1/2 way up on the block....
 
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Old 01-22-2008
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hmmm

ok next question. it specifies where it has to go, but i have another freeze plug that, last time i looked was getting iffy, would there be an issue of putting it somewhere else? clearance maybe
 
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front freeze plug on the passanger side.....that is where the factory one was.....i wouldn't put it anywhere else because of maybe clearance issues..
 
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**** didnt mean to post that...


well thats where they told me it went too.. i guess i'll be putting in there lol
 

Last edited by 99ranger4x4; 01-22-2008 at 06:07 PM.
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double poster

with the OHV, i don't know.....you can try, but i know the front passanger freeze plug will work...
 
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fixeddddd
 
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Old 01-22-2008
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block off your radiator with a canvas tarp.... i saw that on ICE TRUCKERS haha
 
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Old 01-22-2008
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that would help with the problem of the engine not staying warm but not the whole starting up and having the truck freezing ***** cold
 
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Old 01-22-2008
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Originally Posted by 99ranger4x4
that would help with the problem of the engine not staying warm but not the whole starting up and having the truck freezing ***** cold
i got a pair of scissors that will fix that problem... no *****... no complaints hahah
 
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we'll just let the cold get the nipples eh?

man idk wtf happened, front i guess it has been in the teens all week.. even hit 32 one day then BAM -15
 
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Old 01-22-2008
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Ok
so i know more people have them..

whats your opinion?
my dad also thinks the freeze plug option would be the best.. another thing to consider is this..

how is the one in the freeze plug held in? i have jarred tons of stuff loose in my day bouncing around, i REALLY dont need that thing popping out on the trail and spewing a/f everywhere...

in that case what would you say about the one on the lower radiator hose?
 
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the freeze plug one is held in by pressure just like the freeze plugs.....i doubt you will bounce it out...;.
 
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Old 01-22-2008
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you dont happen to have a pic do you?

can i hit it in with a hammer? haha
im guessing its just plastic

i knocked this thing loose, the little evap canister or w/e that catches gas fumes, it was all in there sideways and the hoses got popped off haha

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then again the back gets tossed around a ton more
 
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they are metal.....

mine pushed in and then had a screw that tightened it down in the block...
 
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Old 01-22-2008
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alright, thanks i'll get pics up when i do it
 
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Old 01-22-2008
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Definately get one.. saves you time in the morning too. Good thing it doesnt get too cold in Vancouver
 
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i know i SHOULDN'T but i just hop in. start it up wait for the weird noises to go away and take off.. because most of the time i dont have time to wait, or im just too f'ng cold to sit there.
 
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Old 01-23-2008
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Originally Posted by 99ranger4x4
i know i SHOULDN'T but i just hop in. start it up wait for the weird noises to go away and take off.. because most of the time i dont have time to wait, or im just too f'ng cold to sit there.
yea you are right you shouldn't do that.....that is EXTREMELY hard on the engine since the oil isn't as "flowey" as it should be when it is cold...


remember 1 thing about a block heater, they wont keep your truck up to temp....mine keeps my truck right at about 100*.....so instead of it needing to run for 15 minutes to warm up, it takes 5.
 


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