I'm looking for an engine block heater for my '85 SR5 Pickup. I think I'd prefer the freeze plug type but the only ones I have found, so far, are only 400 watts. I just installed a Kats 400 watt freeze plug type in my wife's buick but I'm not very impressed. The other morning it got down to about 15 degrees (farenheit) and I went out and started her car and it didn't seem that the heater had done anything at all. Maybe I am expecting too much but it still took about 10 minutes for any hot air to come from the defroster which was about the same amount of time as before I installed the heater. So I'm looking for a freeze plug type heater that will put out about 700 or more watts. Anybody know where I might find such an item. I did find one, made by ZeroStart that the book said was 750 watts but when I took it out of the package it said 400 watts stamped on the part itself so I'm still looking.
My second choice is the type that installs in the heater hose. (Not the radiator hose) Anybody have any experience with this type of heater? I've found a couple of different brands of this type rated at 750 - 2000 watts but a couple of the parts store salespeople told me that that this type of heater is not to be used in a Toyota 22RE cooling system. A couple of other salespeople told me that they would work just fine. Who you gonna believe? So, I'd like to hear from some Toyota 22RE owners that have solved the same type of problems that I am having. All info will be appreciated. TIA Jerry
PS If you'd prefer to answer via e:mail, just take the zero out of my return address. jj