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Old 02-10-2021, 05:04 PM   #1
jg61hawk
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Default Cold Outside So Do I Run, Crank, Sit or Ignore?

So here in New Jersey it's now a classic winter. Sucks. I just charge the battery but I think I'll crank the A but not start her. If I do start her she'll have to run at least 25 minutes I think, but I can't move her because of snow in the driveway.. What do you do, what do you think?...I know a short start is horrible for attracting water, I'm thinking cranking is good....??
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Old 02-10-2021, 05:33 PM   #2
WHN
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Default Re: Cold Outside So Do I Run, Crank, Sit or Ignore?

40 plus years I have done this.

About November 1st, our 29 is put away. I check it about every two weeks for mice and put a charge on the battery. In mid April she comes out of her annual winter sleep.

I run the carburetor dry and drain the radiator, than cover the car. Nothing else.

This car lived most of its life in Up-State New York, so it knows what winter is.

Enjoy.
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Old 02-10-2021, 05:57 PM   #3
Kurt in NJ
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Default Re: Cold Outside So Do I Run, Crank, Sit or Ignore?

Why do you think you need to crank it?
Had mine out last weekend, I don't charge the battery except by driving, even it has sat for 6 months I expect it to start, I do run the carburetor dry before I shut it off
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Old 02-10-2021, 06:28 PM   #4
jg61hawk
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Default Re: Cold Outside So Do I Run, Crank, Sit or Ignore?

Things at rest tend to want to remain at rest....I don't want the engine valves, the alternator, the water pump to all decide let's enjoy sitting.... I don't know how long oil clings to a surface. I don't want the piston rings to rust to the walls.... I wonder as I don't wander!!!
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Old 02-10-2021, 06:45 PM   #5
Patrick L.
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Default Re: Cold Outside So Do I Run, Crank, Sit or Ignore?

It seems you feel the need to hear this monster run, so, run it. Stick a hose on the tailpipe and tuck it under the garage door and let her sit and run at a fast idle until it dries out.
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Old 02-10-2021, 06:53 PM   #6
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Default Re: Cold Outside So Do I Run, Crank, Sit or Ignore?

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I would run it until it gets up to operating temperature for 15-20 minutes or so every month.

Just my opinion.
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Old 02-10-2021, 08:18 PM   #7
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Default Re: Cold Outside So Do I Run, Crank, Sit or Ignore?

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Originally Posted by jg61hawk View Post
Things at rest tend to want to remain at rest....I don't want the .... engine valves, the alternator, the water pump to all decide let's enjoy sitting I don't know how long oil clings to a surface. I don't want the piston rings to rust to the walls.... I wonder as I don't wander!!!
Oil will cling quite well for the duration of its winter rest. You probably have a lot of things with internal combustion engines that sit for the winter. Lawn mowers, roto tillers, motor cycles etc... and not worry about them resting for that amount of time. Stick the hand crank into position, leave it there and give it a half a turn every month or so if you wish.
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Old 02-10-2021, 09:37 PM   #8
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Default Re: Cold Outside So Do I Run, Crank, Sit or Ignore?

MHO cranking it over and not starting will wipe off what little oil is on the clylinder walls. Start it up if you feel I need, place a piece of cardboard in front of the radiator for a faster warm up, a hose on the tail pipe under your overhead door sounds like a good ideal !
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Old 02-10-2021, 09:43 PM   #9
frank mcdaniels
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Default Re: Cold Outside So Do I Run, Crank, Sit or Ignore?

If you run a hose from the exhaust out under the garage door be aware that it gets really hot . I have melted more than one shop vac hose doing this. Just a warning. Frank
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Old 02-10-2021, 09:57 PM   #10
Doug Linden
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Default Re: Cold Outside So Do I Run, Crank, Sit or Ignore?

Let it hibernate for a few months, with proper storage no harm will come. Leave it alone.
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Old 02-10-2021, 10:47 PM   #11
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Default Re: Cold Outside So Do I Run, Crank, Sit or Ignore?

Put StaBil in your gas. Raise the car on jack stands to relieve the pressure on the tires. Drain your radiator or put a good antifreeze in. Put a trickle charger on the battery. Put mothballs in the cab if you have wool upholstery. Lay a car cover over it if you have one to keep moisture, cats, and dust off. Check on everything regularly. In the spring, pour a tablespoon of oil down each cylinder through the spark plug holes and crank the engine a few turns without firing. Check your points and plugs for corrosion and clearance.
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Old 02-11-2021, 12:29 AM   #12
Jack Shaft
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Default Re: Cold Outside So Do I Run, Crank, Sit or Ignore?

Your rod bearings get oil immediately from the dipper tray.Your main bearings and cam can take up to 30 seconds of operation to fill the 'pools' in the valve gallery then feed by gravity through tubes to bearings and cam.the rest is by splash,oil constantly is pumped into the valve chamber and overflow goes into the dipper tray where the rods passing through the oil makes a monsoon.

Oil will drain through the main bearings and cam draining the 'pools' over time.After a winter sleep before start up i would drain the engine oil,remove the distributor and pour 1 quart in there (to fill the pools) and the balance in the crankcase.
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Old 02-11-2021, 12:41 AM   #13
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Default Re: Cold Outside So Do I Run, Crank, Sit or Ignore?

Start that puppy up and take it for a drive...why let it sit around if the weather is decent...or not!

Pluck
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Old 02-11-2021, 01:17 AM   #14
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Default Re: Cold Outside So Do I Run, Crank, Sit or Ignore?

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Start that puppy up and take it for a drive...why let it sit around if the weather is decent...or not!

Pluck
That’s my routine too, Pluck. But our NW winters don’t present the same weather obstacles as the NE.
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Old 02-11-2021, 11:51 AM   #15
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Default Re: Cold Outside So Do I Run, Crank, Sit or Ignore?

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Originally Posted by Doug Linden View Post
Let it hibernate for a few months, with proper storage no harm will come. Leave it alone.
Ditto.

Ken in cold Alberta, -30°C (-22°F) here this morning, warmer than yesterday.
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Old 02-11-2021, 01:17 PM   #16
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Default Re: Cold Outside So Do I Run, Crank, Sit or Ignore?

Ditto on the anit-freeze. If you are running straight water, with the system drained, you can have rust forming because the inside that is now exposed to oxygen. Rust needs two things to form, moisture and oxygen. (sure rust will form with just water, but maybe not as fast)

I try and run my cars every so often up to temp. Keeps me happy hearing them and keeps them limber. Wonder how often I have read that a car sitting deteriorates faster then a driven car! Well it's a good excuse anyway. LOL
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