Winter Startups, Does It Make Sense?
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,779
Likes: 558
From: Kalispell, MT
It was fairly cold here last week. My 48 didn't reach normal operating temp for 3 days of daily driving about 12 miles at a stretch after a warmup period. 'Course I haven't stuck a piece of cardboard in front of the radiator this year either. Sunday morning it was -15F when I fired it up for church. She grumbled a bit but ran ok. When the outside temp finally reached 0F on Monday the gauge finally reached normal.
To the original question, unless it gets up to operating temp - 180 or above so it can burn off the impurities in the crankcase, you're doing more damage than helping it. BUT, over the life of the engine, it a slight disadvantage. I think it helps keep the battery up, bearings oiled, etc. If I have a truck not getting daily use I try to start it at least once a week thru the winter and run it long enough to warm up thoroughly.
Most of the old flathead engine heaters installed in the lower rad hoses. You cut a 3" section out of your 8" hose and clamp in the heater. Then do it again on the other side. LOTS of room to work there! I don't bother - I run a 50/50 mix of anti-freeze and if needed set a small ceramic fan heater beside the distributor overnight. Never fails to work.
To the original question, unless it gets up to operating temp - 180 or above so it can burn off the impurities in the crankcase, you're doing more damage than helping it. BUT, over the life of the engine, it a slight disadvantage. I think it helps keep the battery up, bearings oiled, etc. If I have a truck not getting daily use I try to start it at least once a week thru the winter and run it long enough to warm up thoroughly.
Most of the old flathead engine heaters installed in the lower rad hoses. You cut a 3" section out of your 8" hose and clamp in the heater. Then do it again on the other side. LOTS of room to work there! I don't bother - I run a 50/50 mix of anti-freeze and if needed set a small ceramic fan heater beside the distributor overnight. Never fails to work.
Last edited by mtflat; Jan 18, 2007 at 10:00 AM.
