Block Drain Fitting
 

Since I'm replacing my water pump soon and have to drain the coolant anyway, I figured it'd be a good time to install the block heater I've had sitting around forever.. Its a ZeroStart tank style. What size is the thread on the block drain? The ZeroStart Mercedes adapter is insanely priced (more than I paid for the heater (which includes a 1/4NPT adapter)) There must be somewhere I can get an adapter that converts whatever the drain plug is to 1/4NPT...

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/b...es/TankKit.jpg

I thought I could find it on the Russian site
 

It shows it and gives a part number, but nothing more then that. What I would do is pull, "that is carefully remove" the plug and take it to NAPA to see if they can match the threads. They have a big line of those old Weatherhead fittings and I just think they will fix you up.

It's likely going to be metric threads, I'd bet M10x1.0mm IIRC. That can be hard to find and NPT fittings will not work.

Look through the phonebook for a metric shop. There is a place here in Denver called AAA Metric that stocks nearly every metric bolt, nut, fitting, tube and anything else you can imagine. If they can't find it, they will make it. Great place, they saved my @ss a few times.

Find a place like that and you'll be all set.

Hello,

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/203048-recommendation-oil-heater-617-turbo.html

Eventhough I have the tank model that you posted, I decided to order the one from JCwhitney (free shipping over $75) and the new fitting because i wanted it all there for me. The new one has a circulation pump, where the tank model you posted does not.

I have two of those fittings you want right here. They are $22 new right (plus $16 shipping from JC whitney), that is how much I paid. I have found it's easier to just bite the bullet and buy it because you will waste 3 hours at napa and joes auto without any luck. I think that they are expensive is because they are made on a LATHE.

Ill send you one for $20 shipped in the US if you want.

I measured these ones here, they are m14x1.5. When I had the 87 300D block drain out a week ago, i measured it at 14mm, but I did not measure the pitch. So if we can assume that Zerostart is right with their mercedes adapter, then 14mm x 1.5.

I hope this helps, and check out my other thread (above)

If it were my choice I'd take the tank heater back and get a freeze plug heater for that make and model. Costs about $50 and comes with a metric adapter that fits it right into the block. In my opinion a freeze plug heater is far more efficient than a tank heater and much easier to fit to the engine. The adapter for that type of heater should be on the passenger side of the block just beneath and toward the back of exhaust manifold. I just installed the heater for a 300 into my 190 2.2 and it was about $50 at napa. To fit it to the 190 took a bit extra due to the shallow water jacket but was still pretty easy to fit.

Regards,

Jim

Ditto
 

When I was in Europe I saw only a few of these even on old diesels. They are mainly made for far northern Europe and Scandinavia. Unless you spend winters in central/northern Canada it would be overkill. The plug type is fine, even for PA, NY, etc.

THE CROIX: Getting out the freeze plug. I cant get mine out, and I tried almost everything without damaging the block. So I opted for a tank heater.

I got a 600Watt Zerostart lower radiator hose heater on Ebay for $15. Installing it is a lot easier than trying to get a plug out of the block.

Which plug?
The freeze plug, yeah thats a PITA.

The block drain is easy.

I just had trouble with the lower radiator hose ones. I tried 3 each didnt work., so I am trying out the tank style one.

I found the fitting locally for about $5 :) If anyone else needs some, I can probably ship them to you for $10 total.

Post a pic, did you get it at napa?

I have verified m14x1.5.

well, I could not find exactly where on JCW's web that it says there is a pump on these units. most of these tank type heaters I have seen use convection to circulate the coolant....

I presently have a 1 1/2" 600 watt lower hose heater, and a 1000watt tank type heater, NIB. I have not installed either one, because I cannot decide on which one to use. I would like to use the tank type, but would need an adapter for the block drian....

if the JCW unit DOES have a pump, i would return both my Katz units and order it, along with an adapter. this would be the most $$$.

otherwise, I would be interested in 300SD81's proposal to ship one out. I will try a few local import specialists first.

Maybe I misinterpreted.

Built-in thermostat prevents overheating and burnout. Keeps engine warm by circulating warm engine coolant through entire engine. Quicker heater and defroster output. Connects to 5/8" heater hose—operates on regular AC house current. 120 volt. With 1-ft. grounded cord and instructions.
750-Watt. Warms 4-cylinder engines in 2-3 hours, 6-cylinder engines overnight.
1,000-Watt. Warms 6-cylinder engines in 2-3 hours, 8-cylinder engines overnight.
1,500-Watt. Warms 8-cylinder engines in 2-3 hours.
Imported Car Adapters. Choose adapter for all Mercedes (sold separately, ZX541142).

looking at a few other places that sell the zerostarts, they are of thermosiphon design- no pump needed. that is why they must be at the lowest point in the system, and gravity fed.

FWIW- ebay seller has them for $40, shipped?!(1500w)

I did call metric auto parts in town, they dont have the proper fitting. And I just placed an order w/ JCW ON SUNDAY:(

I got the fitting at a metric warehouse place about 10-15 miles from me. They mostly do wholesale but sell to individuals too. The fitting they had was a M14x1.5 to 1/4NPT male adapter, so I'll have to go to the plumbing place to get a double 1/4NPT female piece and use the hose connector supplied with the block heater. I think I can find a 1/4NPT female elbow fitting that will work perfectly for thermosiphoning. They can special order a M14x1.5 to 1/4NPT female fitting, but I didn't feel like waiting for it to come in.

I found Fastenal carries a power steering adapter-
14x1.5 mm x 5/8
tube x inverted flare

under $7, whsl

here

I am going to see if a local store has it in stock, and if it may work...

How does the 14x1.5 side seal to the block?

WITH AND ALUMINUM WASHER AGAINST THE BOLT HEAD... SORRY FOR THE CAPS LOCK.... SSTUPID IBOOK... ANYWAY, YOUR ADAPTER BETTER HAVE PROVISIONS FOR A SEAL...

The one I got came with a copper crush washer

I ordered in one from fastenal- due on monday AM. It has 5/8 inverted flare, for 3/8 compression fitting. should be able to adapt that to 5/8 barb easy.

the crush washer- is that the same size/close enough to the oil drain one? I've got a few of them lying around...

Same size as the oil drain one. I installed it today, seems to be working pretty good, tomorrow morning will be the test, will I have heat before I get half way to school?... The fitting I had was a little too thick, so I drilled it out to widen the hole to be the same as the one that came with the block heater. I used a NPT female elbow to connect it to the fitting that came with the block heater, was a little tight against the engine when I put the hose on, but it just barely fit... I did use some extra thick hose though, most hose would probably be thinner and go on easier.

So how do i install one of these?