Engine heaters for 8n

[Stephen Wallace]

I am looking for a way to keep my 8n warm during the coming Maine winter. I am looking for recommendations on this. I see different types of heaters, such as magnetic ones that attach to the oil pan or engine block and I see ones that tie into the radiator hose. What is the best method? And what kind of wattage is sufficient? I'll add that I have been told to change the oil to 5W-30 to help starting as well. Thanks in advance to this fantastic group.
 

[old]

The all around best type heater is one that keeps the coolant warm. That way the engine block and oil also stays warm. If all you do is heat the oil the rest of the engine is still cold so you still get a slower start.
 

[Curtsat15]

I would recommend a circulating heater that goes inline with the radiator hose. I have a little 500 watt unit on my 8/2N. Plug it in for an hour before I wanna run and she starts like a summer day!
 

[Stephen Wallace]

By circulating do you mean this is more sophisticated than just an inline heater (that just has the heater element and the heat causes the coolant to circulate)? In other words are you talking about something that has its own pump?
 

[old]

They work sort of like a thermosphine (sp) system does and as the coolant heats in the lower hose the warm coolant goes up and the cool falls so it in turn makes the coolant move on its own
 

[Stephen Wallace]

Excellent, that makes perfect sense. thank you.
 

[Stephen Wallace]

Thanks!
 

[Del Huebner]

I use a Kats Lower Radiator Hose Heater in both 49 8N's. It is 600 watt and I got mine at NAPA.
They have never failed to start in the cold and we can get to -20.
 

[duey]

And be sure to cover it well so that whatever heat you DO have stays with the engine.

Dad never had a heater on the 2N he bought new but I remember him taking a teakettle full of scalding water out to the old garage and pouring it over the carburetor and manifold to help the gas vaporize and it seldom failed to start.... even when it was so cold you had to be careful releasing the clutch with the heavy, cold tranny oil.
duey
 

[Curtsat15]

Yup mine has it's own pump with the heater. Works like a charm.
 

[Dell (WA)]

Stephen........gitt the MAGNETIC block heater and mount it on the INTAKE manifold. The very act of carburation sucks HEAT outta the air. Infact light airplanes have a pull handle called carb heat for landing. It sucks to need power for go-around and not have it. Carb at idle approach will ICE-UP.

The 2nd best thing for cold starting is a WARM BATTERY. (seriously) Ittza LAW, electro-chemical Law. Back in the '40s, dad would remove the 6V-battery and place it by the coalfire heater (my job to haul coal) and install it the next -30F morning. Always started. Neighbor would be pouring HOT WATER into his radiator 'cuz he was too cheap for anti-freeze and cuzzin'. International pickup was always hard to start, even in summertime. .......eazy startin' Dell
 

[Jimmyjack]

Might be Number one and two in the State of Washington Dell, but in the cold states the lower hose heaters, block heaters, and tank heaters are much better.
 

[John (TR)]

My dad always used a small worklight and layed it next to the battery in the cars in the winter and they always started. Battery looses way too many CCA at 0deg.
 

[Dell (WA)]

Jimmyjack.......would you believe 7000ft Durango Colorado????.......Dell
 

[Ultradog MN]

I always liked the tank heaters. They always looked the best.