Remove the engine block heater?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 484
Likes: 0
From: Germany
Remove the engine block heater option?
Hi,
a friend of mine has a '90 L98 with the engine block heater option. We don't need it and without the aluminum pipe under the oil pan it would be easier to remove and install the pan.
Can we just plug the port at the block?
a friend of mine has a '90 L98 with the engine block heater option. We don't need it and without the aluminum pipe under the oil pan it would be easier to remove and install the pan.
Can we just plug the port at the block?
Last edited by Eike; Dec 2, 2006 at 07:10 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
There was an engine block heater available (RPO K05) and I wonder if it was part of the metal tube that ran under the oil pan? The heater may have been standard for export cars or those shipped to areas with really cold climates like parts of Canada, Alaska, or northern Europe.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,793
Likes: 9
From: VA
Originally Posted by Eike
Hi,
a friend of mine has a '90 L98 with the engine block heater option. We don't need it and without the aluminum pipe under the oil pan it would be easier to remove and install the pan.
Can we just plug the port at the block?
a friend of mine has a '90 L98 with the engine block heater option. We don't need it and without the aluminum pipe under the oil pan it would be easier to remove and install the pan.
Can we just plug the port at the block?
If you use synthetic oil then removing the cooler is probably fine.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,146
Likes: 3
From: The Motor City
Originally Posted by Eike
'90 L98 with the engine block heater option. We don't need it and without the aluminum pipe under the oil pan it would be easier to remove and install the pan. Can we just plug the port at the block?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 1
From: MidOhio
Somewhere or other I saw a pic of the engine block heater. It mounts in one of the core holes (commonaly called freeze plug holes) on the side of the block; left side I think. It is a U shaped heating element similiar to the type used in a standard home electric water heater bent into an L shape with the short leg near the base and the long leg is about 2". A heavy duty "zip cord" extends from the base and has a plug on the end of it, 3-prong I think. The wire was strapped to the diagonal brace between the frame rail and the firewall. I believe it said it was for temps of -20 F or below but didn't specify if it had a built in thermostat in it for automatic on-off operation. 
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 484
Likes: 0
From: Germany
[QUOTE=tonymax2]A block heater doesn't have hoses, it has wires.
[...] On your 90 that alluminum line under the pan going to filter housing would be part of the oil cooler assembly.QUOTE]
OK, so it is not the block heater ... but it isn't the oil cooler, too. I pulled the line and the rubber hose attached to it and there was water in it. I'll post a pic tomorrow ...
[...] On your 90 that alluminum line under the pan going to filter housing would be part of the oil cooler assembly.QUOTE]
OK, so it is not the block heater ... but it isn't the oil cooler, too. I pulled the line and the rubber hose attached to it and there was water in it. I'll post a pic tomorrow ...
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
From: edmonton alberta
it is the oil cooler but it uses the the coolant to circulate threw a adapter that bolts on the oil filter pad between the block and oil filterthat how it cools the oil ,and the block heater is installed in a freeze plug ,it heats your antifreeze not your oil ,if i remember rite it is installed on the pass side on a vette and it is the same size as a freeze plug ,it duznt stick out ,its not big and all you have to do is remove the electrical cord if your not going to use it ,but it not any bigger then a stock freeze plug and to remove it would be a waste of time cuz then you have to drive in a new freeze plug and i don't see how you can swing a hammer in their to do it it rite and if you get it in it might leak so just leave it alone their is no point wat so ever to remove it
Last edited by smokeshow; Dec 4, 2006 at 07:20 AM.
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Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 747
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From: Calgary '85 Z51 coupe
As everyone has said, it is your oil cooler. The hard line comes from the water pump and attaches above the oil filter then another line goes to the block.
If you remove it your oil will run hotter--probably 10* C or more.
If you remove it your oil will run hotter--probably 10* C or more.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,146
Likes: 3
From: The Motor City
it isn't the oil cooler, too. I pulled the line and the rubber hose attached to it and there was water in it. .
