block heater
Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=145062
Printed Date: 15 Aug 2025 at 3:37pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: block heater
Posted By: shameless dude
Subject: block heater
Date Posted: 03 Dec 2017 at 10:48pm
| bought a new magnetic block heater for the 180. where ya'll think it would do the most good on where I should put it? it has a new Kat's heater, and it heats, but it won't circulate the water like it should, I replaced it (the Kats) exactly where/how the previous one was mounted, and it was according to the instructions. so I thought i'd try the magnetic type this time. |
Replies:
Posted By: MACK
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2017 at 8:06am
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Most of the magnetic heaters I have seen would be doing good to keep my hands warm. put it on oil pan so heat will go up to the block. MACK |
Posted By: DougS
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2017 at 8:21am
| I’m familiar with a dipstick heater that worked well heating the crankcase of a gasoline engine. I don’t know how it would have worked with a diesel. |
Posted By: darrel in ND
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2017 at 8:54am
| when you talk about this Kats heater, I assume that you talking about a tank heater, and that should be "over the top" good. After you put it on, did you run the tractor up to operating temperature, and then make sure that the radiator was topped off full? I'm in agreement with Mack about magnetic block heaters. |
Posted By: shameless dude
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2017 at 9:05am
| I followed the directions of the tank heater, that was a few years ago now, but I usually don't use this tractor in winter, but it's gots my hyd crane on it and I need it now. I plugged the magnetic one in I just bout...and that thing gits HOT! whew! i'll see if it works good or not. it's not a Kat's brand heater |
Posted By: Stan IL&TN
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2017 at 9:28am
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I have one with the magnetic base. I just stick it to the bottom side of the oil pan. Works good. ------------- 1957 WD45 dad's first AC 1968 one-seventy 1956 F40 Ferguson |
Posted By: CrestonM
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2017 at 12:08pm
| I heard those heaters that go in the dipstick hole "burn" the oil. Is that even possible? |
Posted By: littlemarv
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2017 at 1:23pm
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All the immersion heaters I've installed always say you MUST plug them in when the oil is still hot to prevent crystallizing. Whatever that means. A coolant block heater you can plug in any old time, but in the oil, you are supposed to plug them in immediately while the oil is still hot. ------------- The mechanic always wins. B91131, WC23065, WD89101, CA29479, B1, Early B10, HB212, 416H |
Posted By: TimNearFortWorth
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2017 at 2:05pm
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We used plug-n circulating heaters plus magnetic type on oil pans for years in WY, never had an issue; 8V and 12V Detroits on tri-plex pumps out in the open with little or no "wind walls". We also had plug-ins for CAT 3208/3408's that were nearer the big gensets, plus circulating ports plumbed where we could plug in the one ton big block crew cab, hand control throttle set at high idle and let it sit for an hour to help. Can't say I miss it, -30F plus wind chill . . . .
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Posted By: Dakota Dave
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2017 at 4:43pm
| I've used one on my CA just stuck it to the side of the oilpan under the carb. cA had a winter front on it and it worked ok. Still had to let run for half an hour before hydraulics would work. Both WD 45s have Kats 1500 watt circulating heaters on them. With insulated engine blankets that cover from the radiator back to the cab. At 20 below they'll start up after the heaters have been plugged in for an hour. Had to let the magnetic one go for 4 hours before it would start. |
Posted By: HD6GTOM
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2017 at 4:50pm
| I got 1 of them stuck to the wall of my machine shed. Bought it 1 -30 below day for the then- not so old gals car. Probably been there 25 years - stuck it on the bottom of the oil pan. Worked on a 4 cyl Chevy. |
Posted By: DiyDave
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2017 at 6:39pm
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I gots too many tractors, some in sheds, wif no power. If I need to start something in these sheds, I slide a coleman tent heater under the oil pan, and in 45 mins or so, it starts like a warm day in spring...
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Posted By: FREEDGUY
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2017 at 6:43pm
| What Littlemarv AND DiyDave said |
Posted By: 210Postin
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2017 at 9:27pm
| Throw that heater away and plumb the tank heater in correct you will have a much better outcome |
Posted By: Ted J
Date Posted: 05 Dec 2017 at 7:30am
Talk about opening your mouth before engaging brain.............................WHEW!!
All kidding aside, put it in the junk drawer. Put a tank heater on or put some external heat on it. I use a torpedo heater when I need the tractor.. Just drop a tarp over the whole thing and let it heat up. Works better and quicker than anything. Works SO GOOD that way, that I'll never put a tank heater (or any other type) on again. They tend to start fires! Hope this helps buddy. IF you're fibbin us, and want to thaw out that darn pretty machine, use a tank heater or a torch. Pile DRY straw all around it to keep the heat in. You gotta get REAL CLOSE to it though and it just might start on fire, but that's OK,,,,,,,it'll heat up faster and be ready to go to work......maybe...hehehe ------------- "Allis-Express" 19?? WC / 1941 C / 1952 CA / 1956 WD45 / 1957 WD45 / 1958 D-17 |
shameless dude wrote:Posted By: john(MI)
Date Posted: 05 Dec 2017 at 9:47am
I'm thinking you should put it on your belt buckle for winter warmth. Or is your case Shameless, you could attach it to that plate they put in your head!!  ------------- D14, D17, 5020, 612H, CASE 446 |
Posted By: TREVMAN
Date Posted: 05 Dec 2017 at 9:13pm
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Put it on the bottom of the pan, itll heat up the oil. I use them even if the water jacket heater, circ or block is working. Itll start but that oil is still like molassas. I believe the pan heater will heat the oil enough itll get to the bearings etc a lot faster. Look on you tube, some interesting vids. It will also smoke the paint off the pan, FYI. Good luck, Trev.
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Posted By: Ranse
Date Posted: 06 Dec 2017 at 7:03am
| I got a coolant heater on the New Holland that goes in the water jacket on side of the block. I got it from the dealer and installed it myself. I really like that thing, it keeps the block warm to the touch and it starts right up. The White has a crankcase heater that came on the tractor. I always just plugged it in while the tractor was cold. It's slower than the coolant heater, it takes an hour or longer and it makes a humming noise after a while. |
Posted By: TimNearFortWorth
Date Posted: 06 Dec 2017 at 7:31am
| Don't throw it away Shameless, you may need it to get the "snow maker unit" started soon. Seems you may be about to start that thing up soon, just point it north! |
Posted By: Alex (wi)
Date Posted: 07 Dec 2017 at 8:01pm
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So what is the best way to plumb in a tank heater? I have a 190 and D17 (both diesels) and have not been pleased with how they warm up the block. Inlet of heater comes from the side of the engine block outlet goes to water pump and consequently the heat rises to the radiator instead of the head. Alex (WI) |
Posted By: PeteMN
Date Posted: 08 Dec 2017 at 6:03pm
| On one of our 185's(180 should be the same), I took off an old inline tank heater and put in the coolent heater that goes in a frost plug on the block. Works much faster and looks a lot neater. I'm not sure if there's room to put one of those on a 190xt though. |
Posted By: shameless dude
Date Posted: 08 Dec 2017 at 9:50pm
| which frost plug did you use Pete? |