I need to put in a block heater

normally these take the place of a freeze plug on the side of the engine. you'll have ot knock the freeze plug out to install this.Unfortunatley most parts people as knowledgeable as they are, are for parts, not installs as they have mostly never done this type of work. You'll have to capture the old antifreeze or replace it when you do this job. there should also be a bolt with this so it can be installed. Other wise it will leak allover.

I'd agree, but most of my cars and trucks that I have installed freeze plug style block heaters (Northern Illinois and Michigan residents) DO require to knock out the freeze plug. But not on the 300M Special . A totally different kind of heater assembly. I am attaching a picture I just took of the NAPA part number 11814, which is a two part assembly. Again, as I have installed probably more than 30 of the typical freeze plug assembly styled "block heaters" and found them all easy enough to install, and very effective to winter terrors in Chicago and Marquette, Michigan, I know the typical workings needed. This part for the 300M Special, is a different animal.
Please investigate this further.
Thanks,
Christopher, d/b/a "Snowfox10"

after seeing a picture of this, it looks like it will still go in where a freeze plug was or is. I would bet that the large area takes the place of afreeze plug and you seal it with blue loctiteas alot of manufacturers do that with freeze plugs.i cannot find a picture in themanual to tell you which one to put it in. Nor does the manual state anything on the freeze plugs other than how to remove them andreinstall them.

rereading your first reply it says something abotu a special tube/receiver that bolts in. Is this a part that is required to bolt on the front of the block or side possibly that is also required with this? I would suggest that you go to the NAPA site and they have a thing there to do alive chat with a person and see if there is anything else that goes with this. I typed in the part number and it shows apic and that's where you can livechat and see what that guy says. There may be something else thatgoes with this as it may be an outside piece to do the same thing.

It does not require a special Loctite blue or receiver. Apparently you are not quite up-to-date with this part nor this particular model of the 300 M "Special." I am disappointed. The picture I sent you is the complete part assembly and it goes into a "cartridge" port on the Driver's side of the engine block. You clean out the "cartridge" with an air gun (compressed air) and surround the aluminum heater with silicone in the cartridge to complete the transfer of heat (conduction principle) and you are done. This does not require any other additional parts.
I am sorry you didn't know this.
I will find the "cartridge" port on my own...sorry you are unable to help.

you are right i am not up to date but had you told me it was a 300 special instead of a 300m it wold have made things easier. Here is apic of wher eit is supposed togo...hope this helps you better.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING  ENGINE BLOCK HEATER

If unit does not operate, trouble can be in either the power cord or the heater element. Test power cord for continuity with a 110 volt voltmeter or 110 volt test light? test heater element continuity with an ohmmeter or
12 volt test light.


REMOVAL

1. Raise vehicle on hoist.
2. Detach power cord plug from heater (Fig. 34 ).

Fig. 34: Disconnecting Engine Block Heater
Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

3. Remove block heater attaching screw located below heater terminals.
4. Remove block heater from cylinder block.


INSTALLATION

1. Thoroughly clean cylinder block heater cavity.
2. Insert heater assembly into block such that mounting hole is located below heater terminals.
3. Install mounting screw and tighten to 12 N.m (105 in. lbs.).
4. Attach power cord to heater.

CAUTION: To prevent damage, the power cord must be secured in its retainer clips, and not positioned so it could contact linkages or exhaust manifolds.



5. Lower vehicle.

I am sorry. But I thought I started out saying (in the headline) that my car is a 300M Special.

hey we all make mistakes hope the last two took care of things...

Folks, first of all, thank you for this post which helps a lot.

I want to install a block heater on my 2001 Dodge Intrepid with V6 engine, 2.7 liter.

Kat's lists part number 11814 for it, and says it is a cartridge, as pictured.

Napa has it in stock. According to the post here, installation is simple even on my car.

Will check it out tomorrow. Hope it fits and I don't have to take a whole bunch of stuff apart before installing it.

If you have any additional input, I would appreciate it.

I will post the outcome.

once again her eis the picture of the installation if this is what you have.

That's the same picture as posted earlier in this post, isn't it? Looks like it shows the engine from behind, so the opening would be on the passenger side, towards the firewall.

I will do some "digging" with a flashlight today to see if I can find this spot, and if I can just "pop-in" the heater.

Some instructions (and the picture) show a bolt to secure the heater, some other say to use special silicone to mount it in.

Either way, sounds great, and simple. Will let you know.

Couldn't find the opening on my engine, might be because of limited access, maybe it helps to take of the air cleaner assembly as the hose appears to be in the way. It does not look like you can access it from below.

Am waiting for the part. Thus website said my NAPA store had it in store, I don't believe any of this, called, nothing is in stock. Had to order it, supposed to arrive today. Was told it comes with instructions, so we will see.

Update (final): All done!

Took the car to my local shop, they found the "hole" right away, with the pre-drilled one for the bolt (which holds the cartridge in place and did not come with the set but they had in stock).

$40 plus tax. Paid $35 for the cartridge. We have 8 degrees here, fine with me, I will plug in tonight.

Thank you all for this post, your pictures, help.

Closing thread.