Author Topic: Engine heater?  (Read 13535 times)

Offline bobofthenorth

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2612
    • R.J.(Bob) Evans
Re: Engine heater?
« Reply #15 on: December 15, 2013, 05:39:45 PM »
We never used stove pipe & I don't think I'd want to.  We always used 3 or 4" pipe or square tubing with a 90 elbow on the end of it.  You only need enough pipe to direct the heat and prevent any actual flame coming out the end - 4 feet is more than enough.
R.J.(Bob) Evans
Used to be 1981 Prevost 8-92, 10 spd
Currently busless (and not looking)

The last thing I would ever want to do is hurt you.
Its the last thing but its still on the list.

Offline eagle19952

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4039
Re: Engine heater?
« Reply #16 on: December 15, 2013, 07:44:33 PM »
We never used stove pipe & I don't think I'd want to.  We always used 3 or 4" pipe or square tubing with a 90 elbow on the end of it.  You only need enough pipe to direct the heat and prevent any actual flame coming out the end - 4 feet is more than enough.
Not if it is to short to reach the motor....:)....not if it's your first time...LOL
Stove pipe works extremely well for wood stoves and it is not as much $$ as 4 inch Schd. 40 and elbows....just saying.
I have used air duct in a pinch. at -40/-60 you use what you got.
back in the mid/early 70's you would not want to be in the Yukon/NW Territory w/o a set-up to start your car.
FWIW I agree....12 feet is way more than you'd need, but I assure you the heat will get to the engine bay, AND your bus will not burn to the ground.
All I wanted to express is Safer is better than sorry.
PS It beats lugging around 40 lbs. of pipe....I guess exhaust tubing would work too.
Donald PH
1978 Model 05 Eagle w/Torsilastic Suspension,8V71 N, DD, Allison on 24.5's 12kw Kubota.

Offline B_K

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1106
Re: Engine heater?
« Reply #17 on: December 16, 2013, 05:48:29 AM »
Way back before I got into buses we used to have to warm up the engines on the big wreckers we had.
We always used a small throw away bbq grill or hub cap with charcoal in it.
We'd start it and let the flame die down then slide it in on top of the front axle and drag link and it'd make the engine nice an toasty in no time.
;D  BK  ;D

Offline harleyman_1000

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 571
    • My bus
Re: Engine heater?
« Reply #18 on: December 19, 2013, 06:48:25 PM »
Ok bus started right up without doing anything. Of course it was 56 degrees here today   :)
Scott 
St.Louis Missouri

1958 GM 4104 Extended 2 feet, with a 6v92 and 5 speed automatic

http://s783.photobucket.com/user/harleyman_1000/library/Gm4104%20bus?sort=3&page=1

Offline chessie4905

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7101
Re: Engine heater?
« Reply #19 on: December 20, 2013, 06:19:50 AM »
    As soon as the temp hits zero, everyone needs to go out and try to start their coach with low batteries and no engine heater. Use lots and lots of ether. :o
GMC h8h 649#028 (4905)
Pennsylvania-central

Offline Oonrahnjay

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3474
Re: Engine heater?
« Reply #20 on: December 20, 2013, 09:59:28 AM »
       As soon as the temp hits zero, everyone needs to go out and try to start their coach with low batteries and no engine heater. Use lots and lots of ether. :o   

     My bus *starts* OK at freezing (after it's been about that temp overnight) but it shakes and rattles and smokes for a bit.  I think that it would be a good thing -- not necessary but a good thing -- to warm my engine anytime it's below about 50 degrees.  (At 60 or above, it snaps into running with a couple of piston strokes and runs smoothly immediately).  It's a 6 cyl 4-stroke. 
Bruce H; Wallace (near Wilmington) NC
1976 Daimler (British) Double-Decker Bus; 34' long

(New Email -- brucebearnc@ (theGoogle gmail place) .com)

Offline TomC

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 9255
Re: Engine heater?
« Reply #21 on: December 20, 2013, 10:47:07 AM »
My mechanical Cat 3406B would start well in sub freezing weather. It would turn over several times then start coming up to speed and do what we call pop corning-stamering and missing until enough heat built up to start running consistantly on all 6. Usually would take about 2 minutes of pop corning to come up to speed. Good luck, TomC
Tom & Donna Christman. 1985 Kenworth 40ft Super C with garage. '77 AMGeneral 10240B; 8V-71TATAIC V730.

Offline Oonrahnjay

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3474
Re: Engine heater?
« Reply #22 on: December 20, 2013, 12:01:24 PM »
  My mechanical Cat 3406B would start well in sub freezing weather. It would turn over several times then start coming up to speed and do what we call pop corning-stamering and missing until enough heat built up to start running consistantly on all 6. Usually would take about 2 minutes of pop corning to come up to speed. Good luck, TomC   

     Interesting, the lump of British iron only "popcorns" for about 6-8 seconds, but it's rough for that 6-8 seconds and the smoke goes on for another 30 seconds or so. 
Bruce H; Wallace (near Wilmington) NC
1976 Daimler (British) Double-Decker Bus; 34' long

(New Email -- brucebearnc@ (theGoogle gmail place) .com)

Offline Lin

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5531
  • 1965 MC-5a
Re: Engine heater?
« Reply #23 on: December 20, 2013, 02:07:48 PM »
A block heater is not expensive and does a great job.  We don't live in a particularly cold area, but I still consider it almost an essential.  We have a timer for ours since I generally forget to turn things off.  I set it for an hour, and the bus starts like it's in the tropics.  I think even a half hour would work though.  As said before, it works so easily that you feel like your cheating.

This thread was about a one time thing, but I would recommend installing a block heater for future happiness.
You don't have to believe everything you think.

Offline wg4t50

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 913
Re: Engine heater?
« Reply #24 on: December 20, 2013, 03:37:29 PM »
Jelled fuel, had that happen at 18 f, in Va,  also have driven truck in ND at -25 f no issue. All depends on the supplier how they handle it. 
Today, I preheat with either the 1500 watt water jacket heater or the Aqua Hot, Love the nicer things?
Dave M
MCI7 20+ Yrs
Foretravel w/ISM500
WG4T CW for ever.
Central Virginia

Offline belfert

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6532
Re: Engine heater?
« Reply #25 on: December 20, 2013, 08:34:26 PM »
I've started my Series 60 at zero degrees with no block heater and no ether.  I had four new group 31 batteries at the time.  Not an ideal thing to do, but we don't always have a choice.
Brian Elfert - 1995 Dina Viaggio 1000 Series 60/B500 - 75% done but usable - Minneapolis, MN

 

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2024, SimplePortal