Went down to the local Diesel Power shop this am and picked up my zerostart hose heater, and got it installed in no time today, and boy am I relieved! Zerostart 2-dayed it to the shop, and it took about 5 minutes to drain the radiator, another 5 to mark and remove the lower hose, and a few more to cut out the 1 1\2" section that the heater took up. (I made sure to put a linear mark on the hose for line-up when I re-installed it)

Getting the hose onto the heater wasn't as near as bad as I feared, after reading some of the posts. As a matter of fact, the toughest part was getting the rubber electrical plug connection onto the heater, since it's a good tight fit. The instructions that came with the heater, though minimal, said to attach the plug after the installation. I ended up pulling the hose back out and hooking up the plug on the sidewalk, pushing it down onto the heater housing, then putting it back in, which took about another 5 minutes. I ran the wire off the plug and zip-tied it on the horn bracket, through the hole at the towing hook, then went across the under-bumper grill section to the center brace behind the license plate. It hangs out about 4", but is still behind the license plate. This way I can get to it from either side, though since I live on a one-way street, my drivers door is always towards the house, nose down hill.

I was happy to see that the hose had a 3-4" straight section just where I needed it. (Directions said a 3" straight section is best since the heater is about that from end to end). I used the old hose. It was in good shape, and I figured if I screwed up, a new hose wouldn't be wasted. And all turned out well, despite the fact that it was 26* with 25mph winds and freezing rain falling. I rechecked the connections and topped off the rad after I drove down to the gas station. I live on a hill, so that's where I have to go check my oil, etc. Anyway, the whole affair was a piece of cake and didn't even take a half an hour, not counting the old guy from down the street who stopped to talk and gawk , and the UPS man bringing my much anticipated paycheck from Keokuk, Iowa. Thank God for the days that go right. BTW, it's a 600W heater and a cast aluminum body. Does anybody know where to get a water proof timer that I can stick on my outdoor outlet?

After all the work was done, the temp started rising and the sleet stopped and now it's 40* and rising at 10pm. Tomorrow we're supposed to have highs in the 50's. Go figure. If it wouldn't have been raining, I'd have taken some pics, but I can't figure out how you guys get them on here right anyhow. Mine always turn out to be thumbnails in the wrong place and too small to see. The good news is, Ah godderdun!
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__________________
"Knowing is not enough, we must apply.
Willing is not enough, we must do." Goethe

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1951 Chevy 3100

2003 Indian Chief Roadmaster

1983 GMC 1 ton Dually

1982 Chevy 1 ton Dually, service body (sold)

'90 GMC Suburban 6.2 "SS Veg-Burban"
(single tank WVO\diesel conversion) SOLD

'81 300D ~ Mama's car...my job (now my car)(but still my job) SOLD

'83 300sd ~ rescue car SOLD

2005 Ford Taurus (Mama's new car)(NOT my job!)