Engine warm-up
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Ideally there would be a garage for every truck or at least, a cover. But as far as the engine is concerned long enough for the engine to drop off high idle and get oil circulating, maybe a few minutes. An engine will warm up much quicker under load. The key though, is to drive gently for the first few miles.
Remember brakes and P/S and gearbox lubricants and everything else is thick and sludgy. If it's real cold - well below zero, maybe about ten minutes or longer. Make sure you have a quality thermostat installed. The idea is to get the engine to normal operating temperature quickly. It's a good time to clear off all the windows of snow and ice and let things warm up a little more than usual. You might want to lubricate the door locks, and wipe down the rubber door insulation w/ silicone. Your truck will be a little ornery at first being left outside like that.
Remember brakes and P/S and gearbox lubricants and everything else is thick and sludgy. If it's real cold - well below zero, maybe about ten minutes or longer. Make sure you have a quality thermostat installed. The idea is to get the engine to normal operating temperature quickly. It's a good time to clear off all the windows of snow and ice and let things warm up a little more than usual. You might want to lubricate the door locks, and wipe down the rubber door insulation w/ silicone. Your truck will be a little ornery at first being left outside like that.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,651
Likes: 60
From: Hemet ca.
What motor do you have? My truck for instants has a 292 with a 2 barrel carb.
I push the pedal once on cold start turn key and it fires up. The RPM is high while it warms up, I then hit accelerator once quickly, if it idles down then I know it's warming up if it remains high I wait a little longer.
It depends on how your engine is set up. I don't have a manual choke so I didn't give any answers on that. My truck is tuned and timed correctly so I don't have any issues.
I push the pedal once on cold start turn key and it fires up. The RPM is high while it warms up, I then hit accelerator once quickly, if it idles down then I know it's warming up if it remains high I wait a little longer.
It depends on how your engine is set up. I don't have a manual choke so I didn't give any answers on that. My truck is tuned and timed correctly so I don't have any issues.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,091
Likes: 14
From: Tucson, Arizona
Do you have a manual choke or an automatic choke? My 390 has a manual choke. I let it warm up a couple of minutes at around 1000 - 1200 rpms then make sure the engine will run smoothly on the choke setting as I drive off. I push the choke control in gradually as I get up to normal temperature on the gauge. If the engine will idle satisfactorily, you don't need the choke.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Bert, I think When the last time it was driven also comes into play, also. If you parked it last night, I'd give it a few moments, a couple weeks or longer a couple minutes. Start out easy for a couple miles before hard mashing of the gas.
Most everyone that I know gets in their newer vehicle and takes off. The difference is computer compensation, both still have spark plugs.
I'd say a warm up doesn't hurt, does it really help??? Good question.
John
Most everyone that I know gets in their newer vehicle and takes off. The difference is computer compensation, both still have spark plugs.
I'd say a warm up doesn't hurt, does it really help??? Good question.
John
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Thank-you for the information. I live in Southern Arizona so the coldest it gets at night is about 30 degrees. I hope to be able to get it garaged again soon but in the mean time I'm starting it up at 0400. It still has the original 240 6 cyl and is still going strong. Bert
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Do you have a manual choke or an automatic choke? My 390 has a manual choke. I let it warm up a couple of minutes at around 1000 - 1200 rpms then make sure the engine will run smoothly on the choke setting as I drive off. I push the choke control in gradually as I get up to normal temperature on the gauge. If the engine will idle satisfactorily, you don't need the choke.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 291
Likes: 1
From: California
What I don't know is whether a good multi-weight synthetic oil does the same for my old truck as it does for a modern EFI car. I still give it a minute or two to warm up, mostly out of habit. Plus, it's a little embarrassing to sit at a red light with the engine roaring away at high idle.
Depends entirely on the price of gas, to me. When it was up near $5/gallon, I wanted every ounce providing forward momentum.
~Steve
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,209
Likes: 12
From: Black Hills of SD
Something like 90% of internal engine wear happens during warm up so the less stress you put on a cold engine the better. But it doesn't hurt anything to drive off with a basically cold engine if you aren't mashing the gas. I lived in Alaska 16 years and owned a 72 F250 with a 300-6 the whole time. I would start it, let the oil pressure come up good and slide it into gear without touching the gas. I would get into 3rd still without touching the gas and by the time I got to the end of my 1/4 mile drive I could pull onto the highway and drive normal with good heat coming out. The truck still sits where I left it in 2001 with 194,000 on it and 75,000 on a rebuild, ran like a champ when I parked it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Lots of people jump in and take off but that doesn't mean it's a good idea. In extreme cold (not Arizona) a warmup and a little exercise of the power steering isn't a bad idea. Transmission and differential lubricants will be practically frozen or gelled. Garages are a great invention, even if unheated they will insulate and keep some of the heat from prior day's use.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,209
Likes: 12
From: Black Hills of SD
Lots of people jump in and take off but that doesn't mean it's a good idea. In extreme cold (not Arizona) a warmup and a little exercise of the power steering isn't a bad idea. Transmission and differential lubricants will be practically frozen or gelled. Garages are a great invention, even if unheated they will insulate and keep some of the heat from prior day's use.