Installing a block or inline heater in a v8 SD1

[Rod Farnsworth]

Hi all,

Has anyone installed a block heater or inline heater to a SD1 V8 3.5L? I prefer the block heater.. I discovered my car (a 1980) does not have one and its getting cold here. It could be minus 30 degC soon – Ha –nasty.

What fits and is it relatively easy to put in?



Thanks Rod

Calgary, Canada

 

[Steve]

I would think that an auto-parts store would be able to help you with this one.....it's essentially the old Buick block and waterways.

 

[Keoke]

Well Steve, don't forget all the early Volvos had them and perhaps an owner has one. I just sold a 544 and included the block heater with it to a fellow in Wisconsin.---Fwiw---Keoke

 

[Steve]

Block heaters and inline heaters are still offered as optional extras and accessories up here, so I would imagine that Canada would certainly have them......but I think that maybe the issue would be finding one that would fit that actual block.

 

[gjh2007]

I installed an in block heater when I put a new 4.0 litre (same as 3.5) in my Range Rover, Don't remember the brand, but I bought it from Rover' North. Of course it was much easier to do before the engine was installed!

Roversnorth.com

 

[78Z]

A long shot but you could check the junkyard to look at the setup on GM (Buick) 3.8L V6 engines. They were derived from the old Buick aluminum V8 so blocks *might* be similar enough to work.

 

[Bugeye58]

Many of the block heaters currently available fit into one of the freeze plug openings. If you know the diameter, it shouldn't be difficult to find.
Jeff

 

[Rod Farnsworth]

Just to tidy this up, I found the solution. Just buy from Canadian Tire , or your best supplier, using the diameter needed. I installed it in the left rear frost plug hole. (not the recommended one which is the centre hole but that's behind the exhaust manifold)
Rod