• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

Block heater install on 2v ..

  • Thread starter Thread starter 9646gt
  • Start date Start date Jan 22, 2008

9646gt

Member
Apr 7, 2005
595
3
18
Holloman AFB,NM
Jan 22, 2008
#1
  • Jan 22, 2008
  • #1
Ok I am working on buying another Mustang and it most likely will be from the lower 48, since they are not very common here in Alaska. Now I had the local service center on base install the block heater in my explorer and they charged almost 100 bucks with the cost of coolant. It is a big must up here to have one as the temps can plumit to 40 to 60 degrees below zero for days at a time. And my poor car may not always have the garage and will be parked outside alot when at work. Has anyone done the install your self? What would you rate the difficulty? Is the freeze plug hard to get to? I most likely will do it at the auto skills center where I will have access to a lift for jsut 5 bux an hour. Is there a how to guide anywhere? Most likely looking 99-04 but may end up with older SN95. Thanks for any help guys.
 
S

Smokeurhonda

New Member
May 1, 2003
457
0
0
Maryland
Jan 22, 2008
#2
  • Jan 22, 2008
  • #2
Don't really have an answer for you, but I just had to say DAMN! 40-60 Below? WTF man. I give you credit.
 

9646gt

Member
Apr 7, 2005
595
3
18
Holloman AFB,NM
Jan 22, 2008
#3
  • Jan 22, 2008
  • #3
Yeah lol, it was hell the first day of it, got off work and went to start my car lol. The explorer doesn't have remote start so I got out and scraped windows, un stuck frozen handle and got in. Leather was hard as a rock (need interior heater up here) started right up with heater but belt made horrible noise, powersteering and brakes were froze and took force to use first time. Even the throttle was froze. It's the craziest thing I have ever seen!
 

RandyStinchcomb

New Member
May 25, 2005
1,159
3
0
Randallstown, Md
Jan 22, 2008
#4
  • Jan 22, 2008
  • #4
there are other options.
Moroso sells a heating element that sticks/glues to the bottom of the engine oil pan and just like the block heaters gets plugged in to your 120AC.....and I've even seen some cheaper units that insert into the engine oil dipstick tube.....
 

N8Dogg98

15 Year Member
Apr 4, 2005
3,872
238
184
MN
Jan 22, 2008
#5
  • Jan 22, 2008
  • #5
I used a magnetic block heater while I was going to school in Grand Forks, ND. Every day I got home I just slapped it on the oil pan. It worked great, they are selling a similar one on e-bay here
 

mustang50v8

Member
Feb 4, 2003
548
3
18
847 Chicago Burbs
Jan 22, 2008
#6
  • Jan 22, 2008
  • #6
dont mustangs use an aluminum oil pan. the magnetic one will not work.
 

N8Dogg98

15 Year Member
Apr 4, 2005
3,872
238
184
MN
Jan 22, 2008
#7
  • Jan 22, 2008
  • #7
mustang50v8 said:
dont mustangs use an aluminum oil pan. the magnetic one will not work.
Click to expand...

I believe all SN95's have steel oil pans.
 

9646gt

Member
Apr 7, 2005
595
3
18
Holloman AFB,NM
Jan 22, 2008
#8
  • Jan 22, 2008
  • #8
I will be using a stick on oil pan heater that looks liek a pad. Isn't enough up here tho lol. It is important to dothe block heater as well. On my explorer I have oil pan heater, block heater and a battery blanket. Need to add tranny heater as well. So I have to go with a block heater, jsut have no clue how hard the freeze plug will be to get to. It's extremely hard to get a car to stat without one and I have seen some people with them STILL no start with all those heaters!
 

nyuk98gt

15 Year Member
Oct 10, 2000
1,427
6
79
Chesterfield, MO
Jan 22, 2008
#9
  • Jan 22, 2008
  • #9
9646gt:

I've always had a block heater in my cars and got one installed in the Mustang (but, in Missouri, and in the garage, a block heater is kind of silly.... but I have it, just in case, lol). The plug kit from Ford comes with detailed instructions with some nice diagrams -- can't go wrong. Here's a short version.....

Drain the rad so you don't get drenched. Next, on the driver side, halfway along the block, you'll find a freeze plug. Tap a flat blade screwdriver into the middle of it and then fianagle the plug out. It is light metal, pressed in, easy to massage out. Slip in the block heater, "U" pointing down, and tighten up the hold-down bolt (the torque spec is in the instructions). Plug in the electrical lead at the heater and route the wire nicely (zip-tying it frequently) until it emerges from behind the driver side headlight. Refill the rad, burp the cooling system (of air), and you are ready to test the new heater.

Now, the trickiest part is rigging something up to prevent the plug end from smacking into the radiator. I drilled a small hole and put a zip-tie in, leaving it open at about 1.5" dia. I have a "plug cover" (a plastic cap to protect the electrical prongs, has a tether that is attached to the electrical wire) and the plug slips through the zip-tie noose and the plug cover prevents the end from falling out of the noose. When warm weather arrives, I tuck the plug and wire in behind the driver side headlight. Nice and tidy.

HTH,

Chris
 

SaleenGT2001

Well-Known Member
Jul 18, 2005
2,811
4
58
Four Oaks NC
Jan 22, 2008
#10
  • Jan 22, 2008
  • #10
lol, i just learned what a block heater is!
 
B

[BlackDiamond]

New Member
Sep 19, 2005
119
0
0
Jan 22, 2008
#11
  • Jan 22, 2008
  • #11
An option, why not get a stang from Canada and import? (since you havent bought one yet)

My came stock with the block heater.
 
S

Smokeurhonda

New Member
May 1, 2003
457
0
0
Maryland
Jan 23, 2008
#12
  • Jan 23, 2008
  • #12
I give you credit man. Thinking about driving a stang in an enviroment like that is some hardcore stang love. Props
 

9646gt

Member
Apr 7, 2005
595
3
18
Holloman AFB,NM
Jan 23, 2008
#13
  • Jan 23, 2008
  • #13
I figure trying to buy a stang from Canada is to big of a pain with financing and importing and all. Have thought about it tho.

Yeah cold ass weather or not, I am here for 3 years at least and I work my ass off everynight 8-14 hours a night on beat the hell up 20+ year old F-16 fighter jets. I feel like I deserve it and I am determined!
 

eliteJAE

Member
May 29, 2007
0
1
16
Stanford University
Jan 23, 2008
#14
  • Jan 23, 2008
  • #14
nyuk98gt said:
9646gt:

I've always had a block heater in my cars and got one installed in the Mustang (but, in Missouri, and in the garage, a block heater is kind of silly.... but I have it, just in case, lol).

HTH,

Chris
Click to expand...

LOL just in case for? the day after tomorrow?

9646gt: dood thats pretty gangsta of you to leave your wife and home to serve in a giant freezer for your country, lots of props lol this is tech, i forgot........errr......block heater FTW??
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

1
Engine Motor swap from a 2003 Explorer
  • 1996mustang new
  • Oct 9, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
7
Views
840
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Oct 16, 2025
squeak93
J
Progress Thread Family member 1989 GT- Backstory and updates
  • JRC99
  • Apr 19, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
15
Views
1K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Oct 26, 2025
JRC99
J
SN Mustang Magnum T56 swap
  • revhead347
  • May 24, 2024
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech
Replies
15
Views
7K
1994 - 1995 Specific Tech Jun 28, 2026
GearHeadGuy
Progress Thread H/C Swap Problems/Ideas
  • sav22rem22
  • Mar 31, 2024
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
10
Views
2K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Sep 10, 2024
AeroCoupe
C
Anybody recognize this car?
  • ctandc
  • Jun 14, 2023
  • The Welcome Wagon
Replies
10
Views
3K
The Welcome Wagon Apr 27, 2025
Noobz347
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?