Well, I got under the beast today. I cleaned the terminals on the coil in the block thoroughly with cotton wool soaked in WD-40. The cotton wool looked a bit dirty, but nothing that I'd expect to clog the terminals. I also cleaned the terminals on the heater cord itself. I plugged it into the power, and plugged the cord into the block. I realized why my system wasn't working: it seems like my cord has some fault as I had to keep playing with it before I started hearing what sounded like water getting heated! Music to my ears!
At that point, I declared my coil as fully functioning well. As of now, I was able to leave the cord's end inside the block in such a position that it is heating. However, I'm sure that will all the shaking from the engine, it will eventually be moved and stop making good contact. So I now know what I have to do: purchase a new cord.
HA! Case closed!!
You folks are the best!!
