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Date:         Sat, 2 Jan 2016 13:28:17 -0600
Reply-To:     mcneely4@COX.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET>
Subject:      Re: Warming the oil in cold weather?
Comments: To: Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <CAFnDXk1SRKPtJUmRFzN2CoMwdTD29xTVGX1TfGUiCxwYV9EVuw@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

Does that finned structure contribute to engine cooling, and if so should it be left free to do that job? Or is it only for structural strength? Just wondering. mcneely

---- Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM> wrote: > To get past the problem of the finned bottom, consider using a tube of heat > paste from radio shack to bed in the heater to the bottom of the crankcase. > > My grandfather had a Stutz Bearcat that was hesitant to start in the cold. > He regularly put a few shovelfuls of fireplace coals under the engine first > thing every cold morning. Two bricks kept in the hearth, placed in the > floorboard on cold mornings, provided heat on the way to work. > > Jim > > On Sat, Jan 2, 2016 at 8:21 AM James <jk_eaton@hotmail.com> wrote: > > > Have you got a small electric heater (perhaps a radiant) that could sit on > > a piece of metal or a brick on the ground under the engine for an hour > > before starting? My grandfather in Ireland used to do this on the > > occasional frosty morning to help his old Rover start - no block heaters > > there! > > > > You don't need to warm the oil much - up to the freezing point would do, > > to make it thinner. > > > > James > > Ottawa, ON > > > > > Date: Sat, 2 Jan 2016 05:59:37 -0800 > > > From: camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM > > > Subject: Re: Dodged a bullet -- blowed the oil filter right off > > > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM > > > > > > On 01/01/2016 11:03 PM, Mark Tuovinen wrote: > > > > > > "If you are going to start your engine in cold > > > temperatures use an engine heater, its better for your engine, your bank > > > account, and the environment." > > > > > > I'd love to use an engine heater, but prior posts to this list inquiring > > > about heaters that work well with the 1.9 have not turned up a promising > > > one. The ridged bottom of the block doesn't provide an effective surface > > > for good heat transfer, the dipsticks are advised against, and Van > > > Cafe's coolant heater thingy doesn't seem to me like it would do much to > > > heat the oil in the block. Is there anything good? > > > > > > It's 5 degrees F this morning, and while I'm fortunate I don't have > > > anywhere I need to drive to today, tomorrow morning I have a radio show > > > to put on and walking to the station when it's this cold doesn't appeal > > > to me for some reason, possibly related to a decadent attachment to > > comfort. > > > > > > Taxi ride, $8 each way. > > > > > > So, walk, taxi, or start the van? > > > > > > -- > > > Jack "Rocket j Squirrel" Elliott > > > 1984 Westfalia, auto trans, > > > Bend, Ore. > >

-- David McNeely


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