5.7 Block Heater Install Help

[14Tradesman]

Has anyone installed the block heater on their 5.7? Looking for a run down on how to so it or tips and tricks if anyone has any.


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[14Tradesman]

Bump. Anyone?


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[LouM]

Sorry I can't help you on your gasser.
Appearently no else wants to be nice to their engine in cold weater,
or get faster heat.

 

[kad]

It's a royal P.I.T.A.

Note: I have not done this myself, this info is from another forum (one that, if I were to link it here, this forum's lovely automatics would replace the URL with a random URL, usually an eBay one) Credit goes to user Taskmaster86 on that other forum.

The location is above the starter. The starter must come out to get the heater in.

Step 1: remove the starter heat shield with the 2 10mm bolts.
Step 2: Remove the starter by unbolting it's two bolts, the top bolt is very hard to get to and you will need to make a 24" or longer extension bar with a swivel and reach it from behind.
Step 3: slide the starter back about 4 inches and shove the kat's heater into the hole. Secure the heater with 1 m6 bolt which is not included in the kit. Note- you may wish to lightly chase the threads with a m6 1.0 tap to make the bolt thread in easier.
Step 4: Once the bolt is in, route the cord to the front of the hood somewhere and secured with zip ties.
Step 5: Plug in the heater for about a minute and make sure it is getting hot.
Step 6: Let everything cool down, and re-install the starter and heat shield in the reverse process.


-K

 

[indept]

14Tradesman
Not to insult you But just want to add a Step "0" to the above which would be Disconnect the Battery. I've seen mechanics forget to do that...OUCH

 

[Random_Walk]

I've been to places where parking lots have electrical outlets at each stall for those things, but where I live doesn't really require anything like that. Sure it was 19 degrees this morning, but everything started up first go, no sweat. Just had to let it warm up a bit before I took it out to the highway and abused it.

 

[firebuff17]

I have thought about putting one in my 5.7.
Never found instructions on how to do it so that really kept me from tackling it.
Now I have some instructions I may tackle it. Seems like I have done more PITA installs on my truck than those instructions seem to be.

 

[LeesEvoX]

Why not buy an oil pan heater? This is what I'm doing when my Texas truck makes it up to Colorado. Lol

Bought its fron etrailor.com. look up Kats oil heaters. Bunch of different wattages.

Just heats the oil rather than the coolant lol

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[Mike Flea]

Or go to O'Reilly's: https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...?q=Engine+Heater+-+Dipstick+-+Universal&pos=0

 

[LeesEvoX]

Or go to O'Reilly's: https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...?q=Engine+Heater+-+Dipstick+-+Universal&pos=0

I hear if you have any kind of bend in the dipstick tube these dont realy work. And they break easily

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[14Tradesman]

I purchased the mopar cartridge one that just slides in the hole. I am going to install it this weekend probably. I will try to report back with some pics unless its just that simple.


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[huntergreen]

Post up even if it is simple. Thanks

 

[RLJ10X]

I bought my truck off the lot. No block heater. I’m too fussy to ever buy off the lot ever again.

When I bought the Wrangler, I ordered it with the block heater. It works pretty well. Heater blows warm air in no time. I assume the Wrangler uses a tiny bit less fuel.

I use my block heater in the Jeep quite often this time of year. It cost $100 when I ordered that vehicle. Well worth it.

 

[Mike Flea]

I'd guess that it depends on how long your dipstick is, too. This one is 23 inches long.

 

[savage_46]

I've installed a couple in the last 2 weeks. Apparently according to the mopar accessory book, they don't offer a block heater kit for the newer 5.7 truck. So our parts guys have been selling one for the Durango/grand Cherokee. It's the same heater in the same spot, just different cord. If your instructions say "ram", you should be able to route the cord to passenger headlight just like factory. If the instructions say Durango/grand Cherokee, route the cord to drivers headlight & adjust the zip tie retainers for secure attachment.

 

[JohnnyMac]

Or go the easy way and stick one of these suckers on the pan....

https://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/236...v7isLwqcKsB9xwF95hqNQ4zw5ud0nqbBoCpaUQAvD_BwE

 

[LeesEvoX]

Or go the easy way and stick one of these suckers on the pan....

https://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/236...v7isLwqcKsB9xwF95hqNQ4zw5ud0nqbBoCpaUQAvD_BwE

That's what I said as above.

Also, for people who keep mentioning the dip stick heater.... these things only work if you have a dipstick tube that is STRAIGHT. If there are bends and such, good luck. I cannot see how these would work on the ram. I just got done doing the broke. Manifold bolts, and it was a ***** to fish that dipstick tube out. So many twists, turns and bends.

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[JohnnyMac]

That's what I said as above.

Also, for people who keep mentioning the dip stick heater.... these things only work if you have a dipstick tube that is STRAIGHT. If there are bends and such, good luck. I cannot see how these would work on the ram. I just got done doing the broke. Manifold bolts, and it was a ***** to fish that dipstick tube out. So many twists, turns and bends.

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OK.....You can have the credit bro.

 

[Arth]

Installed one on my 09 a few years back. You've got the instructions from other members already just gotta take your time.

For me it worked as advertised and really wasn't expensive at all.

 

[LouM]

Oil pan heaters will warm the oil they will not warm the block, they are not as effective as block heaters for warming an engine in cold weather, they are better then nothing.
In my opinion and having tried them dip stick heaters to attempt to warm oil are mostly a complete waste of time and money.