Magnetic Block heaters

Nick m · Feb 23, 2013

How well do these work? Thinking about buying one for an
old diesel. I want to keep the original look of a 1952. Ill only
need a heater a hand full of times a year and was hoping
these would do the trick.

John B. · Feb 23, 2013

I was never really too fond of them since they really don't make direct contact, or the ones I've seen didn't. They may have changed that the last 2-3 years. I would go with a block heater in the bottom radiator hose that warms the coolant. That heats the combustion chamber where you need the heat for cold starts. Just my 2 cents.

showcrop · Feb 23, 2013

I think that they work OK if you don't expect to much of them. I use one about once a year when it is time to start my 8240 in mid winter to bring it in for service. I allow plenty of time.

old · Feb 23, 2013

Many factors come into play on them. How cold it is where you are and where you store the tractor. If you can put it where it does in fact heat the coolant instead of the oil it is better and the lower you can put it on the block so that you can maybe get some of the coolant to move some all helps

Mike in Mn. · Feb 23, 2013

Tried one years ago, they don't do much, ended up sticking it under my parts washer in the shop to warm the solvent some during the winter. With the shop nice and warm the parts washer was always cold on the hands.

notjustair · Feb 23, 2013

The magnet touches the block but the element itself seems to hover about 1/16th of an inch away. I bought an M a few years ago that had a water style (like a frost plug) heater put into the thin metal water jacket cover behind the carb. It was one of those with a removable cord on it. You could hardly see it there but it worked like a charm. I keep meaning to remove that cover and put it on my current M. It looks so nice I don't think I could do as good of a job.

old harv · Feb 23, 2013

I have one and put it on the oil pan when it is really cold to help heat up the oil, but that is in addition to the 1500 watt recirculating heater hooked up to the side of the block. I don't really know if it does anything besides make me feel better and burn my fingers when I take it off. It will work on an ATV! Seriously, I wouldn't bother with anything less than a 1500 watt recirculating block heater, unless it is a tiny engine. They will heat up my JD 239 cu in. motors to where they will start at -30 in 2 1/2 hours easily. If you are talking about something big, it's going to take longer.

buickanddeere · Feb 23, 2013

Five of them magnetics stuck on the bottom of the oil pan. And the engine wrapped in a tarp to prevent heat from excaping. They will warm the engine in a few hours.

Magnetic Block heaters

Nick m

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John B.

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showcrop

Well-known Member

old

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Mike in Mn.

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notjustair

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old harv

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buickanddeere

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