Thinking about installing DEFA engine heater for winter...

Topic: Thinking about installing DEFA engine heater for winter... (Read 2069 times) previous topic - next topic

Thinking about installing DEFA engine heater for winter...

November 20, 2005, 07:06:17 PM

Hello again!
Winter has just started here and I thought that it may be a good idea to put an engine coolant heater to my T-bird. I'm not sure if I'll install it, but I think it's not a bad idea.
The problem is that the manufacturer (DEFA from Norway) doesn't mention 3.8 in their online catalog. There is a 5.0 V8 only listed while I'm choosing T-bird.
I also found that they have listed 3.0 V6 in Aerostar. I was just wondering if 3.8 is the same casting as 3.0 in Aerostar? It's not a matter of freeze plug diameter only. It's all about the plug I should replace with heater.

Thinking about installing DEFA engine heater for winter...

Reply #1 – November 20, 2005, 07:38:27 PM

No the 3.0 and 3.8 are entirely different engines...

Thinking about installing DEFA engine heater for winter...

Reply #2 – November 21, 2005, 07:25:50 PM

If it is just the freeze plug in question, can you just retap it to fit the specs for the heater, or have an adapter machined? That second one may be on the pricey side though.

Thinking about installing DEFA engine heater for winter...

Reply #3 – November 21, 2005, 07:37:35 PM

Why not just install one of the inline heaters that attach to a heater hose? I had one in my old '85 V6 'Bird and it was just the thing for our eastern Canadian winters - the fact that it circulated through the heater core even kept the windshield from frosting up overnight. The warm heater core would give off just enough heat...

Thinking about installing DEFA engine heater for winter...

Reply #4 – November 22, 2005, 05:07:25 AM

Quote from: Thunder Chicken

Why not just install one of the inline heaters that attach to a heater hose? I had one in my old '85 V6 'Bird and it was just the thing for our eastern Canadian winters - the fact that it circulated through the heater core even kept the windshield from frosting up overnight. The warm heater core would give off just enough heat...

This sounds like a good idea to me, but... where I can get one like this? Can I find it on eBay? Or get in the online store?

Thinking about installing DEFA engine heater for winter...

Reply #5 – November 22, 2005, 06:47:59 PM

The Circulating heater sounds like the way to go... You'll need to watch out though, likely most models for North America are going to be 115v units. Don't you guys in Europe generally use 230v???

Engine Heater

Reply #6 – November 22, 2005, 09:28:44 PM

I think good old JC Whitney carries this type of engine heater.

Thinking about installing DEFA engine heater for winter...

Reply #7 – November 23, 2005, 05:05:23 PM

Quote from: MFrank

I think good old JC Whitney carries this type of engine heater.

I've just searched JC Whitney website and I couldn't find inline engine heater. Found oil heaters and block heaters only. Any ideas? Please send me a link if you will see one.
Thanks in advance!

Thinking about installing DEFA engine heater for winter...

Reply #8 – November 23, 2005, 05:08:14 PM

Quote from: TurboCoupe50

The Circulating heater sounds like the way to go... You'll need to watch out though, likely most models for North America are going to be 115v units. Don't you guys in Europe generally use 230v???

You're right but it's not a big deal. It's easy to get 230V -> 115V converter here. The problem is that I can't find a heater like this anywhere. Well it would be easier if I knew how to call it? Or where to search?

Thinking about installing DEFA engine heater for winter...

Reply #9 – November 23, 2005, 05:49:59 PM

There are several types of inline or external engine heaters listed on ebay... Several seemed to be for farm tractors. I would think some of them will surely work, but again all I saw were 110-120v models, so you'll need to be sure the converter will handle 500-1000 watts...

And JC Whitney has these...

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Product/tf-Browse/s-10101/Pr-p_Product.CATENTRY_ID:2000837/showCustom-0/p-2000837/N-111+10201+600001648/c-10101

Thinking about installing DEFA engine heater for winter...

Reply #10 – November 24, 2005, 09:15:37 AM

Quote

Why not just install one of the inline heaters that attach to a heater hose?

Quote

I had one in my old '85 V6 'Bird

Are V6 hoses any easier to get to than on an 88 V8? It'll be WAY to much fun if they aren't.

For reference, the DEFA engine heater is basically a hammer-in block heater:
http://www.defa.com/doc/100/104.pdf (150k)

Thinking about installing DEFA engine heater for winter...

Reply #11 – November 24, 2005, 09:37:04 AM

Quote from: MasterBlaster

Are V6 hoses any easier to get to than on an 88 V8? It'll be WAY to much fun if they aren't.

For reference, the DEFA engine heater is basically a hammer-in block heater:
http://www.defa.com/doc/100/104.pdf (150k)

In my carbureted V6 they were easy as hell to get at - the heater hoses ran down the passenger side of the engine to teh firewall. Cut a hose, install the heater, done. I've never even given any thought to the V8 heater hoses (don't drive it in winter so don't need a block heater)

Thinking about installing DEFA engine heater for winter...

Reply #12 – November 24, 2005, 10:37:27 AM

If you are still looking for that inline heater the brand name is KATS. I know they sell them at oreilly's. I hope this helps. Also I know they sell the inline and the freeze plug type, along with a magnetic one.

Thinking about installing DEFA engine heater for winter...

Reply #13 – November 25, 2005, 05:57:00 PM

Quote from: Thunder Chicken

In my carbureted V6 they were easy as hell to get at - the heater hoses ran down the passenger side of the engine to teh firewall. Cut a hose, install the heater, done. I've never even given any thought to the V8 heater hoses (don't drive it in winter so don't need a block heater)

Which heater hose had you used back then? The one that goes from the pump directly to the heater core? Or the one passing thru the intake manifold? Speaking of heater hoses which one leads coolant to the heater and which is return one? And should the interior heat be open to the full blast if the engine heater is running?
BTW. Where did you put the engine heater and tank in your V6 T-bird? There isn't much free space there.

Thinking about installing DEFA engine heater for winter...

Reply #14 – November 25, 2005, 06:54:11 PM

This was 12 years ago, so my memory isn't all that great, but I seem to remember there was all kinds of room on the passenger's side. I put the heater in the hose going to the heater core. Remember, this was a Canadian-spec, non-fuel-injected, non-air-conditioned car with no smog pump or associated hoses. Your '87 CFI V6 likely has more hoses and lines than mine did