Due to the recent find of a crack in my exhaust manifold I have been researching the switch to headers.

I have a set of 6-2 truck headers that I was going to install next fall. I understand the issue with intake manifold heat. Better cold weather start ups and better overall engine characteristics.

I have looked at some of the write ups for coolant based systems and they just look a bit complicated and seem to add more location for coolant leaks.

So I was sitting, thinking... how can you supply a limited amount of heat to an area with control that does not require heated coolant?

And I looked over at my pile of old vw diesel parts and saw the glow plugs.

So my thought process:

1. Block off egr port and bottom on intake.

2. Drill and tap hole in egr plate to accept glow plug

3. Drill and tap hole in egr plate for temp probe

4. Build circuit that turns glow plug on (or off) based on temp probe

Thats my crazy idea for today.

Please feel free to critique my backyard engineering ideas

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1975 Dodge D100 Utiline
Slant 6, Super Six, Weber 38, 727
Repair work in progress.

I don't think you can get enough BTU's out of a glow plug to keep up with heat loss from expansion of air/fuel gasses emitted below carburetor when engine is running and fan driven cold air flow over intake manifold to make any difference.

Factory uses a blast of hot exhaust gasses to base of carburetor for manifold heat, and that flow has a 100 times the BTU's of a glow plug. Also glow plugs aren't designed for continuous or long cycle duty.


Hot spot under manifold below carburetor heated by coolant works fine, its what I and others use in cold climates.

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67' Dart GT Convertible; the old Chrysler Corp.
82' LeBaron Convertible; the new Chrysler Corp
07' 300 C AWD; Now by Fiat, the old new Chrysler LLC