The Ford Barn

John Mc · 12-09-2010, 11:10 AM

Guys, I recently bought a non-running, but free turning V-8 from warm California. It's going to get cold here in Chicago in the next few days - real cold. I doubt there is any antifreeze in the block. Anything you can think of that I can do to prevent damage or just hope for the best?
The car cannot be moved inside, thanks.

tblossom · 12-09-2010, 11:13 AM

John Mc: Be on the safe side. Drain the radiator and block. Tom..

John Mc · 12-09-2010, 11:28 AM

Will do, thanks.

Frank The Plumber · 12-09-2010, 11:34 AM

When I was a kid I had a 429 Ford Mercury Marquis, I had a heck of a time starting that old gal in the cold, I ran a power cord that I set up on a circuit breaker in case of trouble, put a 75 watt light bulb in the engine bay hanging in a nice clear spot so as not to cause a fire and put a big moving blanket on the hood. She always fired up. There may be a safer way to do this, maybe an infrared heater or something but it may be worth while to do.

19Fordy · 12-09-2010, 12:43 PM

When I lived in Wisconsin I used a type of block heater or warmer in the winter. I think it may have been some type of an "electric" dipstick that kept the oil warm overnite. Worked great and not expensive. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Block_heater

Old Henry · 12-09-2010, 01:04 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank The Plumber

I ran a power cord that I set up on a circuit breaker in case of trouble, put a 75 watt light bulb in the engine bay.

I used to put a light bulb UNDER the oil pan all through the winter to keep the oil warm so mine MIGHT start. Didn't always. Pushed it a lot on cold mornings 40+ years ago.

Marv · 12-09-2010, 07:10 PM

My father used one of those dipstick heaters for 2 years. On the second year the tractor cought on fire and burned up. The insurance company fixed it and dad installed a block heater.That was probably 30 years ago, and Dad is gone now,but it is still working for me. Marv

CWPASADENA · 12-09-2010, 11:27 PM

If you can not get the drain on the radiator open, just cut a hole in the bottom radiator hoses, both of them.

Chris

12-09-2010, 11:10 AM	#1
John Mc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Crystal Lake, IL Posts: 175	V-8 freezing concerns? Guys, I recently bought a non-running, but free turning V-8 from warm California. It's going to get cold here in Chicago in the next few days - real cold. I doubt there is any antifreeze in the block. Anything you can think of that I can do to prevent damage or just hope for the best? The car cannot be moved inside, thanks. __________________ John Mc Crystal Lake, IL '39 1/2 Ton Pickup '56 Lincoln Capri Hardtop '77 Lincoln Town Coupe

12-09-2010, 11:13 AM	#2
tblossom Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 25	Re: V-8 freezing concerns? John Mc: Be on the safe side. Drain the radiator and block. Tom..

12-09-2010, 11:28 AM	#3
John Mc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Crystal Lake, IL Posts: 175	Re: V-8 freezing concerns? Will do, thanks. __________________ John Mc Crystal Lake, IL '39 1/2 Ton Pickup '56 Lincoln Capri Hardtop '77 Lincoln Town Coupe

12-09-2010, 11:34 AM	#4
Frank The Plumber Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 693	Re: V-8 freezing concerns? When I was a kid I had a 429 Ford Mercury Marquis, I had a heck of a time starting that old gal in the cold, I ran a power cord that I set up on a circuit breaker in case of trouble, put a 75 watt light bulb in the engine bay hanging in a nice clear spot so as not to cause a fire and put a big moving blanket on the hood. She always fired up. There may be a safer way to do this, maybe an infrared heater or something but it may be worth while to do.

12-09-2010, 12:43 PM	#5
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,951	Re: V-8 freezing concerns? When I lived in Wisconsin I used a type of block heater or warmer in the winter. I think it may have been some type of an "electric" dipstick that kept the oil warm overnite. Worked great and not expensive. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Block_heater Last edited by 19Fordy; 12-09-2010 at 01:09 PM.

12-09-2010, 07:10 PM	#7
Marv Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 875	Re: V-8 freezing concerns? My father used one of those dipstick heaters for 2 years. On the second year the tractor cought on fire and burned up. The insurance company fixed it and dad installed a block heater.That was probably 30 years ago, and Dad is gone now,but it is still working for me. Marv

12-09-2010, 11:27 PM	#8
CWPASADENA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: PASADENA, CA Posts: 1,885	Re: V-8 freezing concerns? If you can not get the drain on the radiator open, just cut a hole in the bottom radiator hoses, both of them. Chris