I'm looking for a block heater for a 98 f-150. Any idea's where i can get one and is this something i can do myself or can a dealer do it for me?

 

Hi turn2dust and welcome to the forum

Your dealer probably stocks block heaters for your truck. The Ford block heaters go into the block in place of one of the frost plugs.
Basically you drain the coolant, pop out a frost plug, install the heater and refill the coolant. Depending on how much mechanical type things you do this shouldn't be too bad of a job for you.

 

I appreciate this.. the winter out here in Chicago isn't being very kind to the truck this year.. her 108k miles on her and shes being very tempermental, even after a complete tuneup and cleaned injectors and all.

 

If you decide to tackle it and have anymore questions feel free to ask.

 

I live in northern Canada and its 30 below right now and mine starts no problem with no blockheater....( I get that power stearing whine really bad but thats about it)....she's been good all the way down to 45 below .....Knock on wood!

 

I live in Chicagoland and can recommend the Ford block heater. It also includes a heated battery blanket and the cables are designed to fit your truck exactly. Ask your dealer for a discount; it worked for me.

The freeze plug didn't exactly pop out, but other than that, it was a very easy install. Not sure I'd want to do it on the driveway right now, though!

 

you don't need a block heater for a gas motor.

I live in buffalo ny, and it routinely goes to -10F air temperature (not considering windchill), and it starts on the first time always.

 

Yes, JustinH, your truck will start at that temp and much, much colder. However, just think about how thick your oil is at that temp. and how hard it is for your engine to pump this thick oil. That first minute, there is not a whole lot of lubrication going on in various parts of your engine. The use of a block heater at temperatures lower than -20C/-4F does save a lot of wear and tear on your engine, even with todays multi grade oils. Just my opinion.

 

I wish that I had the pictures of the teardown of my girlfriends 250k 4.6 motor that we tore down to install ported heads on.

Virtually no signs of wear, the motor used 5w30 mobil1 all its life, and no engine block heater.

That motor is still running just fine with nearly 300k on it, and she beats the hell out of it, and drives it every winter.

Just my opinion.