Acquired this machine last year, it is in very nice shape. About 7500 hrs.....Perkins LPG 4.236-G.
It has always spent the night inside. Prior owner had it for 20 years and the upkeep has been way above average, however I was told that it can be hard to start when cold. I'd like to park it in an unheated shed. So looking for advice on block heater options.
Choices would be frost plug style or "tank" style.Tank style seems like it would be better......
It looks like it would be possible to install tank style and supply coolant from a plug(replaced with fitting) right behind the starter(right side), and cut a "y" fitting (like commonly included with Kat's heaters) into the water hose going to the vaporizer(left side). The coolant would have to flow back to the water pump and into the block to complete the circuit of course. Question would be if the circulation would work like this. My concern is that the coolant would run downhill to the vaporizer and back uphill to the water pump, might airlock? Thinking might just have to set it up and try it to really find out. I'm wondering if anybody might want to weigh in?

There is a 600W frost plug style in the Kat's catalog listed for the engine, #30508, shows as 1-1/4".That sound right for Perkins? Doesn't look too difficult to install, maybe that's all I need?

Thanks in advance, Gerry