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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

got a question for you guys..

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Tim Shultz

12-03-2006 10:30:30




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my truck, a 73' ford, starts really hard when it's cold out.. a buddy of mine said to put cardboard over the rad. to help it warm up.. but how much of it can I cover up? 80%? 50%? any idea at all? and also, I was thinking of getting a block heater for it.. even though it's a gasser.. but where can I get one, and about how much would they cost? if they cost very much I just plan on putting a heatlamp under the hood.. thanks, Tim

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the tractor vet

12-03-2006 17:20:28




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 Re: got a question for you guys.. in reply to Tim Shultz, 12-03-2006 10:30:30  
If a Ford starts hard when it is cold out then she is in seirous need of a good tune up . I had a 73 ford F250 for a plow truck and that ruck never failed to start even when we had the blizzards and it got down to -40 as if was one of the few that would start , Now ya i know it was not a totaly STOCk 73 F250 as i plum hated the 360 that came with it and since i had a brand new in the crate 428 S/CJ from back in the good old days of drag racen that is what was under the hood and it was sporten a 11 to 1 comp ratio . Just a good Group 27 battery and if the fan blade would just make a quater of a turn she was running. When it was that cold she turned over like and old 6 volt M with a half dead battery .

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135 Fan

12-03-2006 16:58:24




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 Re: got a question for you guys.. in reply to Tim Shultz, 12-03-2006 10:30:30  
A good circulating (1500 watt) heater in the heater hose works very well and has a thermostat so it doesn't boil your coolant out. It's the easiest to install. Cardboard in front of the rad helps get more heat but make sure to cut about a 5 or 6 inch hole in the middle so the rad still gets some air. If the weather warms up the truck could overheat. Dave



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thejdman01

12-03-2006 16:04:13




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 Re: got a question for you guys.. in reply to Tim Shultz, 12-03-2006 10:30:30  
As for the cardboard ? i cant remember if your model truck has a guage or an idiot light. HOpefully a guage becusae shen the light ocomes on its too late. IF it has a guage jsut start w/a decent sized cardborad and start trimmign w/your pocket knife. Keep an eye on the gauge. Keep maybe 2 or 3 peices of card board around fone for the -0 days (bigger) one for the 20's days etc. Depending on your driving etc if your thoermostats workign probperly shoulnt have a problem kepeign i twarm.

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thejdman01

12-03-2006 15:59:46




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 Re: got a question for you guys.. in reply to Tim Shultz, 12-03-2006 10:30:30  
Either knock the freeze plug out or a lower rad hose heater. both work well. Around 20 bucks. Dont get the magnetic heaters. Gets oild warm flows better upon start but even if you can park in a nice shed (ie away from the wind) they still dont work well) for the wattage (ie electric ) spend it on the block heater. Also try to park next to a building house etc and put the box to the wind anythign to help keep the wind fof the mtoor helps. Air flow across the motor cools it down. I have always believed in blcok heaters gas and diesel. Helps warm everything up less blow by oil contamination,l easier starting, oil flows faster easier. Doesnt cost much to run.

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marlowe

12-03-2006 13:15:49




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 Re: got a question for you guys.. in reply to Tim Shultz, 12-03-2006 10:30:30  
why don't you just fix it ? must be a reason it don't start. choke not working,plugs shot, bad wires,what wt. oil you running and is starter and battery good



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Brian in Ohio

12-03-2006 11:38:27




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 Re: got a question for you guys.. in reply to Tim Shultz, 12-03-2006 10:30:30  
I agree with Paul. If you want the best bang for your buck, go with the soft plug heater.

I"ve lived in Alaska and North Dakota while I was in the military, and found that those work best.



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Paul Janke

12-03-2006 11:03:48




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 Re: got a question for you guys.. in reply to Tim Shultz, 12-03-2006 10:30:30  
Soft plug heaters put the heat where it is needed, are trouble free, and not very expensive. They come with directions on which soft plug space to use and which direction it needs to point. They are probably the most common ones in use. Next is the tank heaters which are the ones which go in heater hoses. Lower radiator hose heaters are generally considered to be mostly worthless.



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super99

12-03-2006 15:23:00




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 Re: got a question for you guys.. in reply to Paul Janke, 12-03-2006 11:03:48  
Soft plug heater??? Never heard of one, what is it? Chris



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550Doug

12-03-2006 10:51:58




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 Re: got a question for you guys.. in reply to Tim Shultz, 12-03-2006 10:30:30  
TSC stores used to sell (and maybe still do) a heater that attaches to the oil pan magnetically. I think there were two different sizes and wattages. They work fine and safer for cold engines getting lubricated asap.



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Fudd

12-03-2006 10:36:59




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 Re: got a question for you guys.. in reply to Tim Shultz, 12-03-2006 10:30:30  
It depends on how cold it is for covering the radiator and that won't help it to start. The easiest thing to do for cold starting is the lower radiator hose heater. Most all auto stores sell them to match your pickup, hose inside diameter and wattage. Just drain the radiator, cut out a piece of hose the width of the heater, tighten the clamps and put the antifreeze back in.



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Tim Shultz

12-03-2006 10:38:44




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 Re: got a question for you guys.. in reply to Fudd, 12-03-2006 10:36:59  
well that sounds pretty easy. thanks for the info!
Tim



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old

12-03-2006 10:56:21




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 Re: got a question for you guys.. in reply to Tim Shultz, 12-03-2006 10:38:44  
They also sell a block heater that goes into the heater hose and if you have one of them you get heat in the cap the moment you turn on the heater fan. So you get both a warm engine that starts easy plus a warm cap to boot. Plus the heat hose type are easier to install the the lower radiator hose heater is because you can clamp off the hoses and install it with out looseing much antifreeze.

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oldcraneguy

12-03-2006 16:31:48




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 Re: got a question for you guys.. in reply to old, 12-03-2006 10:56:21  
That do sound like the best one to me Old, Warm engine AND cab!...My Granpa used to hang a light bulb on either side of the WC engine and put a canvas over it, not sure how cold it was there (jus south of Indianapolis) cause I was just a kid but it always started, course it was in a barn too...



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