Ebay 2 cylinder block heaters...

Navajo350

Member
Anyone know anout these block heaters? Do they work like in those below zero for weeks weather? I am looking at a couple on ebay for a JD 530. One says it installs in the bottom of the head on any two cylinder JD with a 3/4" pipe thread drain plug. It says it is a 400 watt, 120 volt engine block frost plug DIESEL heater. Replaces part #AR87167.

The other one says the same in terms of wattage, volts, thread size. But says "cylinder block coolant heater," for same application, but for about $20 less.

Any advice? I guess I'm going to have to drain the oil to install? Can I keep the plug itself installed on the tractor during the warm season (without plugging it in)?

Thanks,
Robert
 
400 watts is a little small if you are in a hurry to get it warmed up. If your looking to leave it plugged in go with a tank heater. As long as it is 3/4 npt thread it will fit. I use as Kats 600 watt installed
in the oil drain plug myself. 1/2 hr and the oil is warmed up.
 
"I guess I'm going to have to drain the oil to install?"

No, they are COOLANT heaters and install in the threaded opening for the coolant drain plug. So you either have to be QUICK, or let the COOLANT drain, then install.


"Can I keep the plug itself installed on the tractor during the warm season (without plugging it in)?"

NO reason when not.

That being said, in the 80's I had a 730D that we ran a grain dryer with, drying sunflowers in cold weather, and I installed just such a heater to make for easy starts in the morning when it sat out by the dryer.

They also make OIL heaters, for those it's recommended they be plugged in after shutdown when the engine is still warm, to avoid making a "hot spot" in cold non-flowing and "burning" it.

You can download the Zerostart catalog linked below, look on Page 78 for screw-in oil heaters (stainless steel element) and Page 79 for screw-in coolant heaters (copper element).

Armed with part numbers, you can price them on the 'net, or autoparts stores such as NAPA or O'Reilly's
zerostart
 
The first heater you speak of most likely screws into the coolant block drain. I have a 520 that starts at -20 on the first roll over without an electronic ignition or block heater. Your 530 should start without as well.
 

My Late Styled JD "B" is +.180 with far more compression than original and it NEVER fails to turn over and start on 6V..no matter how cold it is..

If anything, I would get one of the small BATTERY warmers..even an incandescent 60 W light bulb would help keep the battery warmer..

A FULLY charged battery at 70 degrees will only deliver 50% at 0 degrees.. that is like half dead....

Now if it is a 2-cylinder JD Diesel, I agree with a Block Heater...especially if Electric start..
 
If you have high amperage batteries and they are good you shouldn't need a heater. Take the heavy oil out and put a good 15-40 in she will start, assuming compression and carb. Ign. are right . If you do anything else use the coolant heater as the oil heaters just coke and burn the oil .
 
Had a styled D brought in earlier this fall for some work, it was out of Manitoba, had one of those heaters threaded
into the coolant drain, first I had ever seen one. I do believe that at 400 watts it would take a bit of time to warm
a D
 
My electric start JD 830 diesel has a factory installed block heater that screws into the coolant drain. I believe the owners manual says it is 1,000 watts. It also has a 2nd factory installed heater that is installed in the side of the engine crankcase. Both of these are referenced in the owners manual. It says to use these heaters if tractor has to be started in temperatures lower than 20 degrees. Years ago I did use the coolant heater and it really helps in cooler weather. I don't know if these were available for the gas 530s or maybe just for the electric start 730 and 830 2 cylinder diesels. Al
 

Just because they "will" start without a block heater does not mean that they should be started without a block heater.
Fuel consumption and engine wear is reduced with warmed starts. Wear and tear to the batteries, starter and charging system is also reduced. Equipment with window defrosters will clear the glass much sooner when pre-heated.
 
We have 9 2 cylinders, 1 of them is a electric start 730 diesel, that is the only one that has a heater. It is also the only one we
don't use in the winter. All the rest will start if they turn over. If they don't turn , replace with a GOOD or 2 Batteries so they will.
 
That sounds like the 3/4" NPT ones IIRC were listed for Massey Fergusons ? I have one or 2 around here I bought cheap as I thought they could work in place of the drain plug on a 2 cyl.
But word of caution ! Drain all the coolant out and stick a ruler up in there and MAKE SURE you have enough room up in there for it. Not all 2 cyl. heads have a lot of extra room above the drain plug.
 
Ive used the little screw in block heaters for 15+ years. When I know I need to run the tractors in the cold months, I plug them in the night before. (400W, 3/4 pipe thread on bottom of head.) Sometimes when it gets up closer to zero I don't need to used them. My tractors are in good running condition, if they were perfect as others may have, and stored inside, I might not need the heaters. But when snow has to be moved, and firewood needs to be cut, I like the extra 'insurance' that they will start. My 2 cents.
 

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