<VV> Oil Warmers/Block Heaters

[Bill Kronen]

Folks in most parts of Canada and the northern states are most familiar 
with the need for some kind of engine preheaters or at least warmers.  
We tend to forget that  those in the lower, lower 48 don't have much 
need for them but when temps drop down to -30Celsius or Fahrenheit or 
more, you better have some kind of  engine heater. They do vary from the 
normal block heater mentioned that were placed in a freze plug location 
to older percolaytor types placed in a water line.  These were my 
personal favorite as they gave you warm circulating water from the get 
go.  The picture shared is of an oil pan attachment that gave the 
Corvair warmer oil to start with on cold, cold mornings.  Obvious 
advantages for all friction surfaces.  You can add to all the engine 
types, electric battery blankets to keep your 12V battery up to snuff, 
In Car warmers to keep the seats and dash instruments toasty, and 
probably a few others.  Trannys could have benefited from some form of 
heater as well.  Had a Ford Fairmont with a 4 speed once and one cold 
morning that shifter felt like it was set in concrete. Just one of the 
challanges of living in Canada.   A Cessna 185 that I once had the 
privilege of flying in far northern Canada year round even had 
individual probes in each cylinder as well as an oil pan warmer for its 
300hp Continental, air cooled , of course.   Air Conditioning is not 
usually one of our concerns.  Ah, but when summer comes, it's beautiful 
up here.Unfortunately, the standard joke is that we have 9 months of 
winter and 3 months of hard sledding.  Not true, of course, but we love 
it just the same.
Bill Kronen
Rocky Mountain House, Alberta
63 Spyder vert, 66 Monza Coupe (Summer Only)