Winter Starting D7-17a

Should be able to get a circulating heater loop from the bottom cover plate or plug on the thermostat housing and one of the flange connections for the pony motor water circulation once you remove it.

Oh, so tie-in to a plug below theromstats on housing (cant circulate through the rad) run heater hose and circulating heater and draw from the area where the pup tied in.

Yes, you are correct. You would have to also tie in to one of the plugs in the housing above the thermostats to include the radiator in the loop.
So, you would have a total of three heater hose connections.....one low at one of the pony flanges and two uppers on a "Y" to connect above and below the thermostats.

The connection across the thermostats would amount to a small bypass but I don't believe it would have much if any effect on operation.

I don't see any other way to tie in a heater. Sometimes a heater is shown in the Generator Set installations but I don't have a manual to check and it is not shown in my D339 Industrial engine Service Manual. Any input appreciated😊

have you considered putting in glow plugs to start in cold I converted a 14a to direct-electric I put combustion chambers from a 46a that accept glow plugs got them brand new from Regal now I can start the cat anytime I want no matter the temprature. even at 10 degrees the engine starts in a matter of seconds

Cat's recommendation for glow plugs is only down to 50 deg. F. then ether aid is recommended or supplementary heat (block heater/manifold heater). I have started mine in the 40's no problem, no ether or heat but that's getting near the edge.

OM - I'm not sure where you got your start temperature recommendations from, but it's not in line with what I know, have been told, and have read.
We start Cats here in Australia all the time with temperatures down to freezing, and sometimes a couple of degrees below .. with no ether .. and only a minute, or a minute and a half, of glow plug heating.
Here's the pretty-much-standard, Caterpillar starting temperature guide chart ..

I would, however, agree .. that glowplugs are probably less of a desirable addition to a tractor with a DE conversion .. in Alberta .. than a block heater would be, in that climate.

I started my D7e on friday morn 10 deeges one min on pre heat then start. I have been building gov,t waterways. they is about 3 inches of frost now year is about done. Razz

Oz,
Unlike some I don't make this stuff up as I go.
Didn't say I agreed with it....just stated Cat's information.

block heaters are a good idea but they are limited to how far your power cord will reach with glow plugs your cat becomes self contained, if your near a power source then a block heater is a good idea. I think either way works just as good just needs to be based on your needs.