The Ford Barn

pgerhardt · 04-16-2015, 07:50 AM

Yesterday I got fresh gas/moonshine and put a gallon in the tank and checked for leaks. Not a one! Thanks to the Ford Barner for the tip of using Leak Lock Gold. After making sure the plugs were tight and putting back on the plug "wires" she fired right up. FIRST SPRING START UP YEA!! I only took her around the block (or what passes for around the block in CT) since the rear fenders, and hence tail lights are not yet back on. This amounts to about a 3 mile route along adjacent local roads.

I'll be repeating this routine a couple of times a week until I have repainted the back of my tudor and reinstalled the rear fenders. But I know short runs where the engine does not get fully warmed up is not good for the engine. So the question is how long should I let her run to fully warm her up before shutting her down for the day?

Tom Wesenberg · 04-16-2015, 08:08 AM

On a summer day I'd think the oil would be running at normal temperature after 30 minutes.

burner31 · 04-16-2015, 10:58 AM

Please explain why short runs are not good for the engine.
I do the same, that is, drive it around the area for 2-3 miles, no windshield, tags, or working lights yet.

Mikeinnj · 04-16-2015, 11:08 AM

An engine shut off before reaching operating temperature can cause the production of condensation. Look at the tail pipe of most vehicles when started up from "cold" and you will see water dripping from the exhaust. My father used to commute by car to work each day traveling a little under a mile each way. He was always running late and did not have time to warm up the engine. That car ate up rusty mufflers and tail pipes like nobody's business due to the condensation. The same thing happens in the crankcase; water can form and mix with the oil.

Brentwood Bob · 04-16-2015, 11:25 AM

condensation shows up as milky crankcase oil, and can accumulate as water in the bottom of the pan. Running the motor until the oil is hot enough to drive off the moisture from incomplete combustion and from a cold startup is what tom is referring to.
Show and tell startups, and short trips are not the engine's friend.
Babbit suffers.
Bob

burner31 · 04-16-2015, 11:37 AM

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Thank you all for the education, now I have an excuse/reason to drive farther/longer and more often.
Now I can truly say "But honey, I have too"... hee, hee, hee

CarlG · 04-16-2015, 12:09 PM

In the summer, I drive my Model A to work every day, about 3 miles (10-15 minutes max including warm-up). I then try to have at least a 30 minute session every couple weeks just to work the water out of the system.

mshmodela · 04-16-2015, 02:03 PM

My short, drives are 6 miles, but I to take ~20mile longer trip where it's much less stop and go (I live in the city).

40 Deluxe · 04-16-2015, 02:10 PM

Water condensing in the oil combines with combustion blow-by residue and forms acid which can (and has) eat holes in the bottom of the pan.

pgerhardt · 04-16-2015, 02:42 PM

Thanks for the info Tom. I guess I should extend my warm up session to three laps to run my tudor for 30 minutes. That is not a bad thing. More time in the A - more fun!

04-16-2015, 07:50 AM	#1
pgerhardt Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Danbury Ct Posts: 1,254	How long should I run it? Yesterday I got fresh gas/moonshine and put a gallon in the tank and checked for leaks. Not a one! Thanks to the Ford Barner for the tip of using Leak Lock Gold. After making sure the plugs were tight and putting back on the plug "wires" she fired right up. FIRST SPRING START UP YEA!! I only took her around the block (or what passes for around the block in CT) since the rear fenders, and hence tail lights are not yet back on. This amounts to about a 3 mile route along adjacent local roads. I'll be repeating this routine a couple of times a week until I have repainted the back of my tudor and reinstalled the rear fenders. But I know short runs where the engine does not get fully warmed up is not good for the engine. So the question is how long should I let her run to fully warm her up before shutting her down for the day? Last edited by pgerhardt; 04-16-2015 at 07:57 AM.

04-16-2015, 08:08 AM	#2
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: How long should I run it? On a summer day I'd think the oil would be running at normal temperature after 30 minutes.

04-16-2015, 10:58 AM	#3
burner31 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Shawnee, Ok Posts: 3,471	Re: How long should I run it? Please explain why short runs are not good for the engine. I do the same, that is, drive it around the area for 2-3 miles, no windshield, tags, or working lights yet. __________________ Keith Shawnee OK '31 SW 160-B

04-16-2015, 11:08 AM	#4
Mikeinnj Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northern New Jersey Posts: 1,262	Re: How long should I run it? An engine shut off before reaching operating temperature can cause the production of condensation. Look at the tail pipe of most vehicles when started up from "cold" and you will see water dripping from the exhaust. My father used to commute by car to work each day traveling a little under a mile each way. He was always running late and did not have time to warm up the engine. That car ate up rusty mufflers and tail pipes like nobody's business due to the condensation. The same thing happens in the crankcase; water can form and mix with the oil.

04-16-2015, 11:25 AM	#5
Brentwood Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: brentwood, ca Posts: 4,246	Re: How long should I run it? condensation shows up as milky crankcase oil, and can accumulate as water in the bottom of the pan. Running the motor until the oil is hot enough to drive off the moisture from incomplete combustion and from a cold startup is what tom is referring to. Show and tell startups, and short trips are not the engine's friend. Babbit suffers. Bob

04-16-2015, 11:37 AM	#6
burner31 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Shawnee, Ok Posts: 3,471	Re: How long should I run it? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thank you all for the education, now I have an excuse/reason to drive farther/longer and more often. Now I can truly say "But honey, I have too"... hee, hee, hee __________________ Keith Shawnee OK '31 SW 160-B

04-16-2015, 12:09 PM	#7
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,115	Re: How long should I run it? In the summer, I drive my Model A to work every day, about 3 miles (10-15 minutes max including warm-up). I then try to have at least a 30 minute session every couple weeks just to work the water out of the system. __________________ Alaskan A's Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Antique Automobile Club of America Mullins Owner's Club

04-16-2015, 02:03 PM	#8
mshmodela Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 2,763	Re: How long should I run it? My short, drives are 6 miles, but I to take ~20mile longer trip where it's much less stop and go (I live in the city). __________________ -Mike Late 31' Ford Model A Tudor, Miss Daisy I don't work on cars --I'm learning about my Model A. Cleveland, Ohio

04-16-2015, 02:10 PM	#9
40 Deluxe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: now Kuna, Idaho Posts: 3,779	Re: How long should I run it? Water condensing in the oil combines with combustion blow-by residue and forms acid which can (and has) eat holes in the bottom of the pan.

04-16-2015, 02:42 PM	#10
pgerhardt Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Danbury Ct Posts: 1,254	Re: How long should I run it? Thanks for the info Tom. I guess I should extend my warm up session to three laps to run my tudor for 30 minutes. That is not a bad thing. More time in the A - more fun!