Block heater?

[CoshiBoyer]

I'm looking to install a block heater on my festiva, I had one on my 1979 Volvo and it was lovely in the cold. And with the festiva's little motor heating up in the morning takes a bit of time.
So I'm wondering has anyone installed a block heater on a festiva before? If so what type and where would you buy it?

[jawbraeka]

I can't say that I have.. But what I would do is check that the heater core isn't blocked up.. What I'd do is drain your engine.. Then remove heater hoses, run a hose through it and make sure there isn't any gunk in the pipes..

Eric the car guy on YouTube has a tip for unclogging a heater core if this happens to be the problem.

sent from the depths of hell.

[TominMO]

Where do you live? I'm guessing not FL. If you're running 5W30 or 0W30, you shouldn't need a block heater, unless we're talking CA or northern USA. If heater heat is the issue, block the bumper and grill openings, and even put a piece of cardboard in front of the radiator.

[bravekozak]

I installed a factory block heater. You have to knock out a frost plug on the back and route the wire around the right hand side of the engine compartment. Since it's winter, I have my plug hanging out the right hand side of the grille. That's right hand, as in driver's position. I am sure I posted the factory installation instruction sheet a long time ago. There are no E8BZ-6D008-A at Rear Counter.
I wonder if an Escort engine has the same size frost plugs? Who ever has engine blocks out, grab your vernier calipers and measure please.

[bravekozak]

Coshi, the Mercury Tracer Engine Heater kit will fit our blocks. E8GZ-6D008-A. Make them an offer. $12 ? There are 21 of them at Rear Counter. Imagine, starting your car and having heat from the get go. Instant gratification. I'm sure that would score a few bonus points with the ladies. It's almost on par with a heated toilet seat, heated towel rack and heated bathroom floor.
Be sure to post a writeup on the installlation.

[htchbck]

I've used two different sizes of Festiva freeze plugs on my EGT engine before in a pinch. I think ~20mm and ~35mm. The point being that if you find one for an EGT, then it will likely fit a festiva as well.

[bravekozak]

htch, don't look now. I'm only 32 posts behind you and closing fast.

[Maikel]

Here in cold Finland, we use DEFA, you can also get inside heater for it!
Nice when it has frozen and you don't have to scrape the windows..

And atleast defa has Mazda 121 compatible blockheater availible, but don't know if the block is same in european Mazda B3 and US Ford B3?

[Bert]

You could buy a 120V plug in in-line circulation pump/heater at one time. Requires fitting in/on a length of heater hose, if I recall, but a heck of a lot easier to install than a block heater and added bonus was the heater was already blowing warm air when the engine started.

[Spike]

The owners of our Sprint put in a block heater right behind the passenger seat (when there was one). Even with a holey floorboard, it kept the car pretty warm in 20-ish degrees. The only problem is make sure you run heat to the windshield!! I learned the hard way.. only having a block heater + cold temps = fogged windows and no visibility. :p

So if you do it, do it right!

-Joe

[CoshiBoyer]

Coshi, the Mercury Tracer Engine Heater kit will fit our blocks. E8GZ-6D008-A. Make them an offer. $12 ? There are 21 of them at Rear Counter. Imagine, starting your car and having heat from the get go. Instant gratification. I'm sure that would score a few bonus points with the ladies. It's almost on par with a heated toilet seat, heated towel rack and heated bathroom floor.
Be sure to post a writeup on the installlation.

Yea I've got wonderful heat! no heater core blockage. I just don't like driving my car right after I start it. So idling it is a necessary evil that I want to get rid of no warm up Idling= Better MPG.

[CoshiBoyer]

Oh oh, Thanks again guys I appreciate the help from fellow festiva lovers. One more thing would instaling it and removing it hurt it? Because I have a practise engine I use for spare parts, Would putting it in there to test fit it be a bad idea?

[bravekozak]

It's an O-ring seal, tightening the center screw pushes against the sides of the hole.
If you loosen the nut you release the pressure and it can be removed. I am willing to make a bet with you that it will fit perfectly. How much are you willing to wager?
A little silicone on the O-ring and in she goes. No leaks after it cures.

[CoshiBoyer]

I don't know, I was wondering if installing it in a scrap engine I have to get a feel for installing it before I try installing in the proper car.

[CoshiBoyer]

I mean. will test fitting it into a engine I have sitting on the floor hurt it?