On Saturday, October 5, 2002, at 09:43  PM, John Rodgers wrote:

> I was just wondering if anyone has had experience in operating an
> aircooled Vanagon/Westy in really frigid temps, like up around
> Whitehorse, YT in the winter. Like it can get  minus 50F up there and I
> am curious what it takes to operate at those temperatures. I drove a
> Type II for several years in Alaska, but never encountered anything
> colder than about -30F when driving. But I have seen it colder around
> Whitehorse.
>

Block heater. it's a device used to keep engines...or more accurately,
the engine oil, warm so that it can be started at low temperatures. Of
course, you can't always plug into one, so at low temperatures you need
a lighter weight oil (and you also reduce your upper speed and rpms.)
AND a lighter weight oil in you transmission too (my brother discovered
90 weight doesn't flow much when the temperature is below -20.)