Block heaters (1968)--Canada only?

[George W.]

RPO K05, block heaters;

Were these export to Canada only?

Could they be ordered for non export cars?

Bizzoco says no evidence of this option in '68, but I owned a '68 that had this option.

My memory (lousy as it is) is that the "plug" for the 110 volt power source was in the radiator support (driver's side).
Can anyone edify?

Thank you,
George
210 748 4693
geopar@gvtc.com

[Michael D.]

Re: Block heaters (1968)--Canada only?

AIM shows the installation. I've never heard it was limited only to Canada.
Have you checked the Judging Guide.

[Terry B.]

Re: Block heaters (1968)--Canada only?

Michael,

Could you give me the UPC page in the '68 AIM to speed up my search for this?

Thanks,

Terry

[Joe L.]

Re: Block heaters (1968)--Canada only?

RPO K05, block heaters;

Were these export to Canada only?

Could they be ordered for non export cars?

Bizzoco says no evidence of this option in '68, but I owned a '68 that had this option.

My memory (lousy as it is) is that the "plug" for the 110 volt power source was in the radiator support (driver's side).
Can anyone edify?

Thank you,
George
210 748 4693
geopar@gvtc.com

George-----


While the option is shown in the 1968 AIM that doesn't necessarily mean that any cars were actually built with this option. Chevrolet records seem to indicate that none were built.

Also, keep in mind that engine block heaters were definitely an available Chevrolet ACCESSORY item at the time and could have been dealer or otherwise installed on any car. So, unless you owned the car from NEW, there would be no way to ascertain if the engine block heater was originally supplied with the car.

I don't know why the option would have been limited to Canada. There are many areas of the US that such an option might be equally desirable. However, having said that, I do recall that in fairly recent years, the engine block heater option has been sometimes limited to Canada.

[Joe L.]

Re: Block heaters (1968)--Canada only?

Michael,

Could you give me the UPC page in the '68 AIM to speed up my search for this?

Thanks,

Terry

Terry----


It's UPC K05.

[Wayne M.]

Re: Block heaters (1968)--Canada only?

RPO K05, block heaters;

Were these export to Canada only? ...

I have a GM Canada import microfiche sheet presenting about 25 1968 Corvettes in the VIN range 21100-21900. None show option K05. I see that the old NCRS pocket guide says late cars only, with no evidence of any showing up.

[George W.]

Re: Block heaters (1968)--Canada only?

Thanks for the replies.
I am trying to find a photo I have of the "plug" that was installed in the radiator support.
The AIM shows the installation as merely "clips" on the headlight "U" frame with the end of the harness just hanging free (accessible through the left front grill).
Does anyone have a photo of the "plug" installed in the radiator support?

On another related question (I'll start a new thread), this routing/"plug"/installation question has come to light because of the work I'm doing with Jerry Kohn at Corvette Central.

Jerry wants do have a correct '68 a/c radiator support manufactured. I have three of these and one of mine is now in Jerry's possession. The one I sent him has an "extra" hole on the driver's side. I think that hole was added for the TI wiring harness? But it may have been for the block heater harness?

As said, I have three of these '68 a/c supports, and two of them have the "extra" hole. I know that one of the cars was equipped with TI.

One interesting thing about the "extra" hole is that there is a burr on the edges, as if it were cut after the original stamping.

We're wondering if this hole was done either by the original manufacturer or on the assembly line on an as needed basis to accommodate the TI or block heater wiring harness. Again, I'm thinking TI, but???

BTY, I would assume that a non a/c support would also have this "extra" hole to accommodate the aux. wiring harness.?

In photo below, the hole in question is the lower (larger) one that is missing the grommet.

[Dick W.]

Re: Block heaters (1968)--Canada only?

George, 20-25 years ago, I looked at a Canadian L/88 with the block heater option. If my feeble memory serves me correctly, the K-05 option was on the build sheet.

[George W.]

Re: Block heaters (1968)--Canada only?

I have a GM Canada import microfiche sheet presenting about 25 1968 Corvettes in the VIN range 21100-21900. None show option K05. I see that the old NCRS pocket guide says late cars only, with no evidence of any showing up.

The car with the block heater is 26,581---so rather late.

[Don W.]

Re: Block heaters (1968)--Canada only?

I have a '69 Canada export car that was equipped with the K05 option. I searched on ebay for about a year and found an original GM heater with correct part number and in the GM package which I bought and had installed per the AIM...Don

[John H.]

Re: Block heaters (1968)--Canada only?

George -

I don't have a '68 AIM - what does the K05 sheet show for the hole for the heater cord? If it shows the hole diameter, the hole was added at St. Louis. Rest assured Chevrolet would not have released a unique radiator support (with the K05 hole in it from the supplier) just for K05 usage.

[Joe L.]

Re: Block heaters (1968)--Canada only?

George -

I don't have a '68 AIM - what does the K05 sheet show for the hole for the heater cord? If it shows the hole diameter, the hole was added at St. Louis. Rest assured Chevrolet would not have released a unique radiator support (with the K05 hole in it from the supplier) just for K05 usage.

John------


There is no instruction provided in the 1968 AIM K05 to add a hole in the radiator support and no size of a hole is mentioned. So, I strongly suspect an existing hole was intended to be used. The passage of the cord through that hole is not clearly shown in the UPC, though.

[Terry M.]

Re: Block heaters (1968)--Canada only?

I remember judging one Corvette with K05 option and the cord was gathered in a bundle in the engine compartment. The plug was not in a position that was accessible with the hood closed. I can not tell you if it was installed correctly or not.

[Norm B.]

Re: Block heaters (1968)--Canada only?

My recollection of the olden days, like way back in the 50's & 60's up here in the Great White North, was that block heaters were more often a dealer installed option or accessory. That might explain the burring on the hole where it was drilled in the shop. My dad had one dealer installed on a 1964 Acadian Invader (Chevy II) that he purchased new from the local Pontiac dealer.

Many cars were sold up here in those days without block heaters but had aftermarket ones installed later, most popular was the "Motomaster" ones from Canadian Tire. When I was a teenager my best friend's father operated a gas station/garage where I helped out on weekends. I can distinctly remember driving a large screwdriver into frost plugs on engines in order to remove them and install block heaters. Dipstick oil heaters and battery blankets/pads where also popular in those days.

[Gary B.]

Re: Block heaters (1968)--Canada only?

I remember judging one Corvette with K05 option and the cord was gathered in a bundle in the engine compartment. The plug was not in a position that was accessible with the hood closed. I can not tell you if it was installed correctly or not.

Nancy's Canadian `78 Pace Car also had the cord bundled. Not run out.