Engine Block Heater for SBC 350

[JD Miller]

I used this pointed up under my k20 sm block chevy. works good

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[WebMonkey]

Thanks for your reply. What does the battery have to do with this? And if you think there is a different problem, is there a way I can troubleshoot? One thought I have is that previously I haven't adjusted the electric choke coil on the carb. I should probably do this as it will have a different tension on it in the winter. Otherwise, I'll look into soft plug heaters.

chemistry!


battery chemical reaction slows, even stops at low temperatures.
used to have battery warming wraps to keep the battery in the sweet spot of temperature to deliver full discharge/charge.
the coolest battery, lifepo4 is very intolerant of cold temps.

parents kept spare flashlight batteries in the freezer to slow the discharge rate.

so CCA is cold cranking amps.
good battery is one that has enough CCA from the time of purchase and hasn't been damaged by being discharged below 50%.

yes, it's true, discharging a lead acid type battery below 50% shortens the battery life/performance.
trickle charger is your friend on a truck not started/run a couple times a week.

'monkey

 

[Scott91370]

How did vehicles run for 75 years when it was really cold out?

 

[Ricko1966]

I didn't read all 97 posts. Here's the deal and it's just simple math and physics. If you put a heater in the dip stick or stick one to the pan,at best you are going to get a few quarts of warm oil,that aren't even touching the block,heads,or intake,A light bulb heats in one specific area. A freeze plug heater heats water,a couple of gallons of it. Water around the cylinders,water in the heads,water in the heater core,water in the radiator,water in the intake manifold.The whole engine is preheated. If you heat the water, that's the most bang for the buck.

 

[75gmck25]

One risk with a dipstick heater (but also maybe an old wives tale) is that you have a heated electrical probe running down into the oil pan. If you have managed to flood out the engine you may also have gas that ran down into the pan and it’s floating on top of the oil. There is a small possibility of igniting the gas vapor in the oil pan - not a good result.

 

[WebMonkey]

How did vehicles run for 75 years when it was really cold out?

dunno!
furthest back i can remember was the 60s in nebraska and dad had an extension cord run out to the driveway in the winter.
watched him unplug that thing everytime he drove off to work.

'monkey see, 'monkey do

 

[legopnuematic]

Back when 6 volt vehicles were still mainline people would install 4 cell 8 volt batteries to give them a little extra cranking power.

That was more of a “shade tree” type thing to do though.

There is the old tales of maintaining small fires under the oil pan to warm it up.

 

[Matt69olds]

Before fooling around with block heaters, you need to get the choke sorted out. Zero degrees is not that cold.

As mentioned, make sure the battery and cables are in good condition. If the engine cranks slow, it’s not going to want to start.

 

[Ricko1966]

Back when 6 volt vehicles were still mainline people would install 4 cell 8 volt batteries to give them a little extra cranking power.

That was more of a “shade tree” type thing to do though.

There is the old tales of maintaining small fires under the oil pan to warm it up.

I've had 12volt cars with 6 volt starters. 2000 degrees below zero and they spin right up. I've also put pans of embers underneath the car the whole under hood heats up. But that one is scary.like is oil going to drip and start a big fire? You burn charcoal to embers put it in a cake pan and slide it under the middle of the engine compartment under the car.

 

[BigT]

Before fooling around with block heaters, you need to get the choke sorted out. Zero degrees is not that cold.

As mentioned, make sure the battery and cables are in good condition. If the engine cranks slow, it’s not going to want to start.

Back in high school, when I drove my 64 Chevelle every day, I put a Massey-Ferguson diesel tractor battery in it. I don't remember how many CCAs that thing had, but it was made to crank a cold diesel equipment engine to life in the dead of winter, and it would spin that poor 283 like it was a toy!! Damn thing lasted 12 or 13 years, too. It even had a little green LED in a window that would tell you if it was charged up or not. I wish batteries were made like that now.