Hi, I'm new to the diesel world, i just bought a CUCV 6.2 (all the info is in my signature) My question is do they normaly have block heaters on them and if not how much are they and how difficult is it to install it? Thanks for any imput.

Hi, I'm new to the diesel world, i just bought a CUCV 6.2 (all the info is in my signature) My question is do they normaly have block heaters on them and if not how much are they and how difficult is it to install it? Thanks for any imput.

OEM heater is a low wattage (40 or 60 watts) unit that goes in a frost plug hole. It's made for overnight use, i.e. you leave it plugged in all night.

In addition, for fast one-hour heat-ups, you can install a 1500 or 2000 watt tank-type circulating heater in addition to the OEM frost-plug heater. It's not easy though, since you have to tap into the bottom of the coolant chamber in the block and it's hard to get to.

And, there are other things not as mainstream -e.g. oil pan heaters that get glued to the bottom of the oil pan, etc.

OEM heater is a low wattage (40 or 60 watts) unit that goes in a frost plug hole. It's made for overnight use, i.e. you leave it plugged in all night.

In addition, for fast one-hour heat-ups, you can install a 1500 or 2000 watt tank-type circulating heater in addition to the OEM frost-plug heater. It's not easy though, since you have to tap into the bottom of the coolant chamber in the block and it's hard to get to.

And, there are other things not as mainstream -e.g. oil pan heaters that get glued to the bottom of the oil pan, etc.


So there is a block heater on the truck? I know it may sound crazy to even ask but i want to make sure this truck gets taken care of lol i just wanna make sure.

nothing wrong with making sure the truck gets taken care of, some of the trucks had block heaters, some didn't, all depends on where it was sold.

Mine has a 500 watt heater in a frost plug hole on the side of the engine and an oil heater on the bottom of the oil pan. Installation is easy for the both of them. Drain all the coolant, and knock the frost plug you want the heater in out with a hammer and a small drift or chisel. Make sure you are not in the path of the coolant that will be spilling out of the block! Once it finishes draining, take a bit of sand paper and clean any mineral buildup or corrosion away from the flat face of the frost plug hole, then simply pop the block heater in after lubricating the o-ring seal with some engine oil. Most have a small screw on the front that you tighten up to mechanically retain the heater in the block.

The oil pan heater I installed has two metal straps that run up to the oil pan bolts, then have tensioners on the side to suck the pan heater tight against the oil pan.

Of the two heaters, I would tend to say that the oil pan heater is the most important one. Keeping that oil thin enough to be able to properly lubricate the engine when it is cold outside is of a great deal of importance. Up here I have seen it where you go to pour oil when it is around -15F or so outside, and the oil comes out in a big semi-solid glob like jello instead of a freely flowing liquid. And -15F really isn't that cold, we have been known to hit -40F on occasion.

i would say its almost impossible to put a recirculating heater on it cause the block drain plug is right behind a motor mount ( really GM where was your head??) so youd have to unbolt the engine jack it up put a elbow in the hole and set the engine back down alot of trouble to go through compared to a frost plug heater

There is a coolant heater than you can install inline with one of the coolant lines that run to the heater core. I had one on a previous 6.2L installed by the owner before me, it seemed to work just as well as the frost plug heater. It had a little water pump built in to circulate the coolant, and also provided a 12V supply for your heater fan to keep the cab warm even when the truck was shut off.

There is a coolant heater than you can install inline with one of the coolant lines that run to the heater core. I had one on a previous 6.2L installed by the owner before me, it seemed to work just as well as the frost plug heater. It had a little water pump built in to circulate the coolant, and also provided a 12V supply for your heater fan to keep the cab warm even when the truck was shut off.


I heard of this also. This is what I plan on doing for my truck. With the 12v fan and your defrost set, you will not have ice on the window also. :D

nothing wrong with making sure the truck gets taken care of, some of the trucks had block heaters, some didn't, all depends on where it was sold.

Yea That figures, Its looks like there are some things in the grill idk i have to look at it but thank you all for your help.

It is not impossible nor hard to install a tank heater on a 6.2. I just installed one on my m1028 in a couple of hours in -2 degree weather. And it works BEAUTIFULLY. You tap into the radiator drain plug instead of the block. I mounted my tank in the passenger in the passenger side like it says to, and still tapped the outlet line into the cabin heater hose. But instead of tapping into the block, I ran a hose across the engine mount (secured it to that to) and hooked it up where the drain plug is on the driver side. I used a zerostart and it comes with all the fittings you need, all you need is some wrenches a knife a drill and hose. And the warranty is not voided because in the directions it TELLS YOU to hook into the radiator drain **** if the block plug cannot be reached. I don't know why everyone is knocking these tank heaters. I had a freeze plug heater in my blazer (350ci) and it took all night to heat up and never really heated it up that great. This tank heater heated the 6.2 up in 2 hours in negative temps to operating temperature. I'll try to get pictures up.

the way i have my block heater set up on a timer one of those indoor out door timers i plug it in at night the timer turns on at 4am and shuts off at 9am i dont need to leave it turned on all night all u need to do is warm up the block for a couple hours and it starts with no problems

I'm going to see if i can find one at a junk yard, if i can see the way it goes on i might be able to put it on.

It is not impossible nor hard to install a tank heater on a 6.2. I just installed one on my m1028 in a couple of hours in -2 degree weather. And it works BEAUTIFULLY. You tap into the radiator drain plug instead of the block. I mounted my tank in the passenger in the passenger side like it says to, and still tapped the outlet line into the cabin heater hose. But instead of tapping into the block, I ran a hose across the engine mount (secured it to that to) and hooked it up where the drain plug is on the driver side. I used a zerostart and it comes with all the fittings you need, all you need is some wrenches a knife a drill and hose. And the warranty is not voided because in the directions it TELLS YOU to hook into the radiator drain **** if the block plug cannot be reached. I don't know why everyone is knocking these tank heaters. I had a freeze plug heater in my blazer (350ci) and it took all night to heat up and never really heated it up that great. This tank heater heated the 6.2 up in 2 hours in negative temps to operating temperature. I'll try to get pictures up.

I would like to hear and see more. Perhaps a new thread???

I'm very interested in the heater that you tap into heater hoses that runs the heater in cab??? Where do you find one of those and how much??

I'm very interested in the heater that you tap into heater hoses that runs the heater in cab??? Where do you find one of those and how much??

I'm not sure. I know what your talking about though. My friend is looking into it for me.