Preheating schemes?

On Tue, 11 Nov 2003 04:44:14 -0500, Michael Horowitz
wrote:

I'd be interested in any schemes you may have developed for
pre-heating your engine.

One idea I heard was to use flex ducting to direct car exhaust into
the cowling; that does present CO concerns, but on could leave the a/c
doors open. - Mike

When I had my rebel tied down outside I used a " Mr. heater" It's a
radiant heater that screws onto a BBQ tank. I built a box around just
the heater part out of aluminum and 2 galvanized furnace pipes coming
out of the top. wrapped it all up in reflective bubble pack
insulation. Just light it up stick a tube in each cowl inlet throw a
blanket over the cowl and wait 20-30 min. and the cylinders would be
warm to touch. Now that I have a hangar I can just plug in an electric
heater. I even have it on a timer so if I know when I'm going to fly I
can have the plane ready.
Drew

"Michael Horowitz" wrote in message
...
I'd be interested in any schemes you may have developed for
pre-heating your engine.

One idea I heard was to use flex ducting to direct car exhaust into
the cowling; that does present CO concerns, but on could leave the a/c
doors open. - Mike

Try starting your car, and feeling the temp at the end of the exhaust pipe.
Not too warm. Add to that, the volume is very low, compared to commercial
rapid pre-heaters.

Good attempt, but try again, IMHO.
--
Jim in NC

Morgans wrote:
"Michael Horowitz" wrote in message
...

I'd be interested in any schemes you may have developed for
pre-heating your engine.

One idea I heard was to use flex ducting to direct car exhaust into
the cowling; that does present CO concerns, but on could leave the a/c
doors open. - Mike


Try starting your car, and feeling the temp at the end of the exhaust pipe.
Not too warm. Add to that, the volume is very low, compared to commercial
rapid pre-heaters.

Good attempt, but try again, IMHO.

I would say this is one area where water cooled engines have an
advantage. When I drove a truck, we would have a heater that stuck into
the radiator. Plug that sucker in and the big diesel would kick right
over in the morning. Forget to plug it in, and you could spend a good
45min heating the oil pan and head with a propane torch and then
shooting ether in the intake.

--
http://www.ernest.isa-geek.org/
"Ignorance is mankinds normal state,
alleviated by information and experience."
Veeduber

A long time back Alaska Flyer magazine had an article about
overnighting on frozen lakes. The authors used a old fashion plumbers
blow torch and a length of cheap stove pipe to duct the heat to the
engine cowling. The torch could be refueled from the wing tank drain
so no extra fuel needed to be carried.

Although I have one of those old timey torches I have never attempted
to fire it up. Too chicken I guess.

Errol Groff
EAA 60159



On Tue, 11 Nov 2003 04:44:14 -0500, Michael Horowitz
wrote:

I'd be interested in any schemes you may have developed for
pre-heating your engine.

One idea I heard was to use flex ducting to direct car exhaust into
the cowling; that does present CO concerns, but on could leave the a/c
doors open. - Mike

"Big John" wrote in message
...
Michael

Lots of suggestions. Here are more.

1. If I had to RON in cold country, paid for a hanger.

2. If parked outside, pulled engine through a dozen or so times.
Then
gave the intake a shot or two of ether and cranked. When ether
fired
engine would start running and you could then warm up normally
prior
to take off.


Friend of mine knew a chap who administered an excess of 'easy
start', (ether), blew the manifold and battery out the side of his
car. Something simmilar may happen with your favorite aircraft if
given too much.
--
Cheers,
don't bother me with insigniciciant nonsence such as spelling,
I don't care if it spelt properly



Still have one or two of the little cans of ether on my msc. shelf
in
shop. Can be bought at any auto parts store.

Small and light weight so can be thrown in baggage compartment and
forgotten until needed.

Big John


On Tue, 11 Nov 2003 04:44:14 -0500, Michael Horowitz
wrote:

I'd be interested in any schemes you may have developed for
pre-heating your engine.

One idea I heard was to use flex ducting to direct car exhaust
into
the cowling; that does present CO concerns, but on could leave the
a/c
doors open. - Mike

A long time back Alaska Flyer magazine had an article about
overnighting on frozen lakes. The authors used a old fashion plumbers
blow torch and a length of cheap stove pipe to duct the heat to the
engine cowling. The torch could be refueled from the wing tank drain
so no extra fuel needed to be carried.

Although I have one of those old timey torches I have never attempted
to fire it up. Too chicken I guess.

Errol Groff
EAA 60159
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Can I have it?

My Dad use to use one.
Of course, he's gone now.....


Barnyard BOb - accepting donations for S&H

"Michael Horowitz" wrote in message
...
BJ - Here is an article you may find interesting concerning cold
starts:
http://www.reiffpreheat.com/Article-Busch.htm

- Mike

Interesting article. Then if I didn't have electricity and was out in the
boonies and the temp were below 30 I'd rig up a camper stove or catalytic
heater. If a 912 I'd remove the h2o and heat it, and the oil. If a
Taylorcraft I'd heat the oil to 200 degrees F.

For a cont. eng. with the oil tank,I have used a small 12 volt bev.
warmer and put it into the oil tank with an extention for the cig.
ligter plug to my car.It heats up the oil in about 6 mins.

Years ago,we would put some gas into the oil right after shutdown and
that would keep it loose for quite a while and then just burn off when
running again.Jim

James

That was called "dilution". There was a schedule for different
temperatures and it told you how much gas to put in oil prior to shut
down. It took about 30 minutes at cruise power to boil the gas out of
the oil next day. You could take off with diluted oil if you had oil
pressure in the green.

Oh the good ole days. Haven't thought about 'dilution' in years. Tnx
for bringing up )

Big John

On Wed, 12 Nov 2003 21:29:40 -0500 (EST), (James
Lloyd) wrote:

Years ago,we would put some gas into the oil right after shutdown and
that would keep it loose for quite a while and then just burn off when
running again.Jim