Cylinder block heating element

[mgcjag]

Hi All.....noticed on another thread a cylinder block heating element...ref on an optional extra schedule...and followed up by Ralph who posted a photo..never heard of one before on an E type...... viewtopic.php?t=1419&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=20 Steve

[ralphr1780]

I had thought this was a standard fit for cars dispatched to the US.
Other fellows have this on their engine blocks?
The reference noted is 407059 - R91.
Never attempted to use this, nor to remove, just curious to learn how frequently this has been fitted.

[Mark Gordon]

Mine doesn't have one and I don't know of anyone in the mid-Atlantic region that does. Engine block heaters are pretty common in the northern tier of the U.S. and into Canada, but unless the temperatures frequently drop to sub-zero F. they really aren't necessary. At 20 deg. or so, my starts instantly, using full choke of course, but takes forever to warm up enough that I don't have to leave the choke at the idle advance position. Around the first of December, I give the idle adjustment screws about a half turn down and leave it at that until about the first of April. But I've never felt the need for a block heater on any of my cars.

[PeterCrespin]

Note Mark is talking in old money. 20F is minus 6C in RoW units

[Paul71a]

Ha! My initial thought was "what's the problem starting at 20 degrees?

Then I saw where he was based and it all fell into place!

[ralphr1780]

Mine doesn't have one and I don't know of anyone in the mid-Atlantic region that does...

Glad finding out that my lovely S2 had at least one option when leaving the factory!