Engine Heater for TC33

[tkcomer]

Hey all. Looking for an engine heater. I’ve seen the posts on a freeze plug block heater, but the freeze plug on my DX-33 looks to be a pain to get to. So, I got to thinking about a radiator hose heater like on my older tractors. Has anyone installed one of these on their 33 or 29 tractors? I’m asking because I want to know what size to order BEFORE I take the hose off. I’m afraid if I take the hose off to measure the inside diameter, what ever I try to order will be out of stock. Thanks for any replies.

 

[VA_Joe]

Since the hoses only come in a few sizes - I would measue the outer diameter then go to a auto parts store and compare it to the hoses that they have. Once you find something close - you will have the inner diameter. Another place to look ight be an internet site of a hose manufacturer. These sites might give the inner and outer hose diameters.

Also - if you chose to remove - remove the upper hose - the amount of coolant volume lost will be roughly equal to the volume of the hose.

 

[tkcomer]

Best I can tell is the hose is about 1 ¾”. I was thinking the heater went into the lower radiator hose for better heating capabilities.

 

[JMA375HH]

I just installed a freez plug heater no big thing. took about 1hour. works great. the problem with the circ kind is you will want it low to the engine block. I could not find any place that would work well and not expose it to damage down the road. found the freez plug just installs alot cleaner. we have had below 0' weather for about 2wks and our tc33da stared every time.Good luck. did the install with fel in place. drained the block. punch freez plug into block. fish it out . install freez plug at the 7:00 OCLOCK Pos tighten up. refill block and plug cord in. Done. got my freez plug at dealer for around 45.00. good luck. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[tkcomer]

I must be looking at it wrong. It looked like the starter and some wiring had to be moved. There doesn’t seem to be that much room behind the starter to get the plug out, much less to install a heater.

 

[MikePA]

No need to move anything.

 

[DieselMonk]

Remember that this picture above is of a tc55da.

Max

 

[VA_Joe]

Good point - the upper hose might not even be full (I've never installed one on a coolant line). I would think, however, that the the two hoses (upper and lower) would be the same size. If they are then there is no sense in dumping all your fluid if you don't need to.

 

[MikePA]

<font color="blue"> Remember that this picture above is of a tc55da. </font>
I have a class II, with a block heater. It's in the same location. There's nothing in the way of installing the block heater.

 

[tkcomer]

On mine, the starter is definitely in the way. Just look at the attachment. The back plug doesn’t even look like it has room for a heater.

 

[MikePA]

My block heater is installed where the front freeze plug was and the NH technician did not have to remove the alternator. Swinging the alternator out of the way might make for an easier install, though.

 

[IH3444]

My neighbor, Poleclimber, just installed a block heater in his TC35A, which is the same arrangement as yours, and I believe the exact same engine block. It went into the same spot as Dieselmonk's picture. He received the block heater, along with directions. I'll email him, and be sure that he reads this. Maybe he'll take, and post a picture for you. He also said that removing the old freeze plug was the major part of the jobbie. I don't think he said anything about removing the starter.

 

[tkcomer]

Actually, that is a shot taken from up above. Here is one shot taken straight on. Even the front plug looks to be a hassle. That’s why I was leaning toward the radiator hose heater. Not as efficient as a block heater, but they work pretty good in the older tractors and this engine is tiny compared to them.

 

[PoleClimber]

I'm not sure if this info will help or not. I did notice that your starter is larger than the one on mine. My starter looks more like the one on the TC55. Also I noticed that your engine compartment is arranged a little differently. I don't know how much different the TC tractors are from the DX case models but that could be the differance. My heater installed at the freeze plug hole adjacent to the starter.As you can see in the photo 2 freeze plugs are visable. All I needed to do was lift the starter wire out of the way to expose the freeze plug.and remove the exaust shield. I drilled a series of 1/8 hole from the 12 oclock position to the 6 oclock position and from the 9 oclock position to the 3 oclock position on the freeze plug and drilled a larger hole for a dent puller and the plug popped right out. The series of holes is for the freeze plug to shrink as it's pulled out.I positioned my heater between 6 and 7 oclock. . Be sure not to run the drill bit to deep. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gifHope this helps you out. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bernie

 

[djradz]

You probably did a lot more drilling than most of us did. In fact, I don't recall doing any! I think I just took a long chisel and pounded near one edge, but not right at the edge for fear of scratching the block. With a few good wacks the plug pops free and a with a pair of long nose pliers, can be removed easily. In these hard to get at intallations, I think I'd simply pull the starter first.

 

[tkcomer]

Just a thought. That center bolt or screw. Is that what holds the freeze plug heater in? Or do you have to drive it in. Or a combo of both.

 

[PoleClimber]

I considered taking the starter off, but I had already decided to use a dent puller. It didn't work the first 4 tries so thats when I decided to drill more holes to weaken the plug. I guess I was determend to do it my way instead of the right way. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[PoleClimber]

That center screw is used to pull 2 tabs against the inside wall of the block and hold the heater in place.

 

[djradz]

Center bolt presses the assembly out to a larger diameter, like a pancake, and causes it to fit extremely tight. I can't recall for sure, but it also might pull a tab or mechanism in on the back side, to really pull it in and tight. Regardless, no driving in - it just slips easily in.

 

[IH3444]

O-ring is pulled tight and makes the seal.