Many folks do just as you describe. 2 things to consider: Your heat sourcr
doesn't have to be a heating bulb- a space heater etc would do the trick.
Also, a garage is the way to go if you want to do this.  One blown drop of
water or large snowflake touches a heat lamp and the glass shatters.  While
you are at it, place a second heater INSIDE the van and it'll be nice and
warm when you hop in in the morning.
Jay

>We here in Western New York are going thru a very cold period for the next
few
>days.  Just like our Ontario neighbours across the Big Lake.
>
>Since I do not have a block heater, I was wondering if anyone has put a
heat
>lamp into a spot-light fixture of some kind, and left it going all night
pointed
>at the oil pan.  You can buy the fixture for about $8.00 at Lowes,
HomeDepot,
>etc., and the lamp is around $4.00 or $5.00 each.  The down side is that
the
>lamp - a radiant heat lamp - is intended for indoor use, say, in a bathroom
>heat/fan/light unit.  It seem possible to tuck under the bus, pointed up,
to
>keep the oil pan warm from the radiant heat this thing gives off.  'Course,
>you'd have to take care to avoid the oil dripping from the pan, etc.
>
>Just a thought...  Any comments?
>
>Alan Bosch - go ahead and flame!  Need the warmth :o)
>& Phred ('88 Wolfsburg) - the Phrozen Bus
>Frigid Rochester, NY
>