[AT] Engine Heater

[Stephen Offiler]

Just thinking out loud here... Carl's OP asked about a Farmall H, whereas,
at least some of our replies were relating our experiences with diesels.

Of course a tired spark-ignition engine could be reluctant to start in cold
weather, especially if still 6V.  Battery performance drops with
temperature while cranking needs increase (thick cold oil) resulting in
lower voltage during cranking which makes for a slow spin and a weak spark,
while at the same time that cold combustion chamber is condensing fuel
droplets and leaning out the mixture.

My favorite trick for starting gas engines in the cold is propane.  The
classic unlit propane torch held in the intake while cranking.  It's an
entirely different path versus adding heat to the engine, but the goal here
is simply to get the tractor running.  I have had a lot of luck with this
trick in the past.

Steve  O.

On Sun, Jan 23, 2022 at 10:47 AM Cecil Bearden <crbearden at copper.net> wrote:

> A tank heater came from the factory on my MTZ/Belarus 1220.4   I plug it
> in when it is going to be below freezing.  It will start in nearly any
> cold temp without it, but it just runs so much better the first minute
> after starting.
> Cecil
>
> On 1/23/2022 9:19 AM, John Hall wrote:
> >
> > Only block heaters I ever dealt with were options from Deere for older
> > machines. These heat the water, just plug them in--use a BIG, short
> > drop cord! They will get the engine right up to operating temp. Unless
> > you leave it on a really long time, not gonna do much for the oil.
> > Research one for a 4020. If you have room, should be able to do some
> > creative plumbing and add one.
> >
> > John Hall
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > AT mailing list
> > AT at lists.antique-tractor.com
> > http://lists.antique-tractor.com/listinfo.cgi/at-antique-tractor.com
> _______________________________________________
> AT mailing list
> AT at lists.antique-tractor.com
> http://lists.antique-tractor.com/listinfo.cgi/at-antique-tractor.com
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.antique-tractor.com/pipermail/at-antique-tractor.com/attachments/20220123/06f31fcb/attachment.htm>