how about a parabolic electric heater with a timer... like this one..

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Optimus-Heater-9-inch-Dish-300W-Ultra-Quiet-Handle-H4110S/15162306?action=product_interest&action_type=image&placement_id=irs_middle&strategy=PWVAV&visitor_id=80097336182&category=0%3A1072864%3A133032%3A1161932%3A1085403&client_guid=58e2a4f1-2f6c-434c-8d06-6fb6db26dd04&config_id=2&parent_item_id=34378663&guid=08c668dc-dbcb-47c0-9432-503fc56c991e&bucket_id=irsbucketdefault&findingMethod=p13n

On Thu, Nov 6, 2014 at 8:28 PM, Jon VonOhlsen <jondvo@gmail.com> wrote:

> So when in Bozeman? I remember my van having issues in the winter of
> '79, when there was about 3 weeks of sub-zero weather. About -35 in the
> shade at 2PM. West Yellowstone recorded -56F. The bus had 10W-30 and
> would not quite start.
> Jon
>
> On 11/6/2014 2:33 PM, Jeff Schwaia wrote:
>
>> I used to put a can or Sterno (or something similar) under my bug when I
>> lived in Bozeman, MT.  Worked really well, except for the time it hit -45
>> degrees...
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>> Jeff
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
>> Of
>> Jamie Fitterer
>> Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2014 12:44 PM
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> Subject: Block heaters for Air Cooled
>>
>> Anyone know of a block heater for the air cooled van?  This would be used
>> in
>> cold climates for winter starting.
>>                                            =
>>
>