Does that finned structure contribute to engine cooling, and if so should it be left free to do that job?  Or is it only for structural strength?  Just wondering.  mcneely

---- Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> To get past the problem of the finned bottom, consider using a tube of heat
> paste from radio shack to bed in the heater to the bottom of the crankcase.
>
> My grandfather had a Stutz Bearcat that was hesitant to start in the cold.
> He regularly put a few shovelfuls of fireplace coals under the engine first
> thing every cold morning. Two bricks kept in the hearth, placed in the
> floorboard on cold mornings, provided heat on the way to work.
>
> Jim
>
> On Sat, Jan 2, 2016 at 8:21 AM James <jk_eaton@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Have you got a small electric heater (perhaps a radiant) that could sit on
> > a piece of metal or a brick on the ground under the engine for an hour
> > before starting?  My grandfather in Ireland used to do this on the
> > occasional frosty morning to help his old Rover start - no block heaters
> > there!
> >
> > You don't need to warm the oil much - up to the freezing point would do,
> > to make it thinner.
> >
> > James
> > Ottawa, ON
> >
> > > Date: Sat, 2 Jan 2016 05:59:37 -0800
> > > From: camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM
> > > Subject: Re: Dodged a bullet -- blowed the oil filter right off
> > > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > >
> > > On 01/01/2016 11:03 PM, Mark Tuovinen wrote:
> > >
> > > "If you are going to start your engine in cold
> > > temperatures use an engine heater, its better for your engine, your bank
> > > account, and the environment."
> > >
> > > I'd love to use an engine heater, but prior posts to this list inquiring
> > > about heaters that work well with the 1.9 have not turned up a promising
> > > one. The ridged bottom of the block doesn't provide an effective surface
> > > for good heat transfer, the dipsticks are advised against, and Van
> > > Cafe's coolant heater thingy doesn't seem to me like it would do much to
> > > heat the oil in the block. Is there anything good?
> > >
> > > It's 5 degrees F this morning, and while I'm fortunate I don't have
> > > anywhere I need to drive to today, tomorrow morning I have a radio show
> > > to put on and walking to the station when it's this cold doesn't appeal
> > > to me for some reason, possibly related to a decadent attachment to
> > comfort.
> > >
> > > Taxi ride, $8 each way.
> > >
> > > So, walk, taxi, or start the van?
> > >
> > > --
> > > Jack "Rocket j Squirrel" Elliott
> > > 1984 Westfalia, auto trans,
> > > Bend, Ore.
> >

--
David McNeely