How to warm up the engine block?

I don't have power in the yard where i keep my truck, have a block heater about 1600 Watts and for few years i've been using a portable Yamaha generator EF2000 Yamaha 2000 V2 usage and care. , run it for 1 hour and starts easy; this generator also has DC power outlet to charge batteries. But this week, i noticed my block heater doesn't work , so i searched the internet for options, some interesting ideas; I like the magnetic heater and pads applied direct on oil pan , but.... my Volvo oil pan is made out of fiberglass , still could work applied on the block.
This is the only cordless forced air heater on the market has excellent reviews, you need a barbecue size tank of propane; 129$ only at Home Depot, i'm sure would work from safe distance, keep it away from fuel and tires,lol. I was looking to buy it yesterday but was out of stock here

RIDGID 18-Volt Hybrid Propane Forced Air Heater Review | R8604241B

 

I built fires a time or two under there. But that's outrageous today considering all the plastic and so forth in the new trucks today. I wont even describe how I did mine.

 

I know it won't help now but. Idling the truck is pretty cheap in extreme cold. You could put synthetic oil in next time and it will flow at -20 or something Rotella T6 used to be $20 a gallon at Walmart.

 

We've got those in all our gensets. I know some people will plumb them inline with one of the heater core hoses. Gotta remember to leave the heat control on in the cab or it won't circulate. Using Y's or elbows is a crapshoot. Coolant will flow the path of least resistance and you might find you'll lose all cab heat if you use a Y because its easier to push coolant through the heater instead of the heater core(s).

 

Usually when we did diesel fired circulating heaters on equipment we would hook them up on a seperate circuit so coolant would flow across the engine block.

 

No I meant you need to have the knob or slider that regulates the cab heat set to on if you plumb it in that way. If the coolant flow is blocked by the water valve, it can't circulate. The coolant heater will just warm up what's in the heater itself and that's it.

 

I have a block Heater that is in the oil cooler housing, heats the coolant, have a oil heater in oil pan, same type as coolant heater in my ole int'l coe Detroit engine. Had block heater when I bought it. Bought oil pan heater from wolverine.

In my newly purchased freighter with Detroit it never had block Heater installed, still had plug in it. Went to freightliner dealer yesterday and bought Heater and cord $60.00. Will also buy another oil pan heater for this truck too.

 

do a circulating tank heater. they heat better and you can spile it into a heater hose.