Cold iowa winters. Engine heater help.

[woofy]

I'll start off by saying my 68 is in 100 gazillion pieces so this problem is not effecting me,very much. but it IS effecting my girlfriend and her 1970 c10(straight 6,3 on the tree) she loves her truck but its getting harder and harder to start it in the mornings as the day's get colder and colder. what would your advice be? battery warmer, freezer plug heater,engine blanket? sadly she has no garage to keep it in currently and its her only vehicle.

any help would be greatly appreciated and my apologies if this is posted in the wrong section.

for your viewing pleasure,on the back of my duramax the day we picked it up for her.

[sboris]

I'd get a block heater as I call it, fits in the lower rad hose.. Quick and inexpensive... They work well.

[Ironhorse]

Never really had a problem with cold weather starting as long as the points, condenser, plugs and wires and carb are all in good condition. Be sure tank has good fuel and use HEET fuel additive if need be to prevent fuel line freeze up due to moisture in todays what we call gasoline. Be sure to have a GOOD battery and good clean cable connections. Also a good starter. I usually use a battery with AT LEAST 725 CCA (cold cranking amps) and on VERY cold nights below 0 degress I tried to park the vehicle facing south or at least not into the cold north wind. In the past I have used a heated dip stick in the oil pan, just really not sure it was at all needed. Only did that when temps got down to 10 or 15 degrees below 0 and I was up at 04:30 AM headed to work. Didn't want to deal with engine not starting at that time of the morning. After starting don't "push" the vehicle when driving, let it warm up on it's own without trying to hurry it along. One of the worst things to do is "gun" a cold engine with oil moving like molasses. Also don't forget a good rule of thumb is to change thermostat every fall before winter so to have good cab heat and engine operating temp is correct. Hope this helps, remember spring is only like 4 months away, LOL I can't wait, I hate cold weather. Used to work outside year round on a flight line moving aircraft on ice and snow. Retired 3 years ago and sure don't miss it.

[Stocker]

The only thing I have used -- years ago, in cold midwest winters, on two different vehicles -- is a lower radiator hose heater. Worked very well on both rigs. Not too spendy, easy to install, easy to use, and very effective. Not only will the engine start much better, warmup is very quick in comparison to no engine heater. Which of course also means a more comfortable interior.

[woofy]

Awesome! thanks for the info guys. ill check on her battery to see what the CCA are. running HEET and will be ordering a lower rad hose heater.

again thanks guys!

[hamjet]

If what you mean by hard starting like it turns over very slowly in cold weather, I would lean more toward week or low amp battery, battery cables, starter on its way out, or too thick of motor oil. If it spins over fast but won't start could be carb/choke setting and or needs a good tune up. oops! you posted while I was one finger typing....

[LockDoc]

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I don't know what she is running for a carb but if it has a mechanical choke is she pushing the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor once to set the choke before she turns the key on? I think even with an electrical choke you have to set the choke before you try to start it, to set it on high idle.

Just a thought.

LockDoc

[TheSeeker]

Yes, I would for sure check the choke out as well. I have a 6 cylinder 3 speed manual as well, and when I first got the truck the choke had wired open and the cable removed. In the few times a year I would drive up north to visit family it would be a pain to start in the cold with the choke wide open.

[Already Gone]

Living where I do we always have long very cold Winters. If you have any weak spot on your truck for example.. spark plugs not up to snuff…old/weak ignition wires.. low output or weak battery… and yes points and condenser worn out.. the cold will make starting the truck very difficult if not impossible. For starters You should have a 850CCA (or more) cold crank amp battery and although slower rad hose heater works great the gold standard for engine heaters is a frost plug hole engine block heater. If the tuck has an electric choke make sure it is working properly. In extreme cold sometimes the 3 on the tree will not come out of gear.

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by hamjet

If what you mean by hard starting like it turns over very slowly in cold weather, I would lean more toward........... too thick of motor oil.

Thanks for posting that! I was going to suggest it in my earlier post, and it slipped my mind.