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Re: whats the coldest temp you'd start your car at? [Re: Triple Threat] #189850 01/12/09 09:19 PM 01/12/09 09:19 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 9,436 Blair County,PA 62maxwgn master
62maxwgn master Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 9,436 Blair County,PA	Boy,there must be something wrong with the motor in my bird.Can start it in 20 degree weather,have oil pressure immediatly and "never" goes below 65psi at idle in any temp.Just might tear into it and see whats wrong.

Re: whats the coldest temp you'd start your car at? [Re: RapidRobert] #189851 01/12/09 09:29 PM 01/12/09 09:29 PM
Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska R RapidRobert Circle Track
RapidRobert Circle Track R Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska	Quote: it doesn't get that cold here but I like to pamper the baby(me not the car). Does that sound like a sissy to you live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth

Re: whats the coldest temp you'd start your car at? [Re: Dart 340] #189852 01/12/09 10:31 PM 01/12/09 10:31 PM
Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 247 DuPont, Washington D DZJim enthusiast
DZJim enthusiast D Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 247 DuPont, Washington	Quote: Quote: wind chill only affects warm blooded people/animals. It can drop the temp of an object faster than it would drop if there was no wind but it doesn't drop it below the ambient temp. Right on RR Also guys keep in mind the clearances between things are a lot different at cold temps vs hot temps. I'd freak out more trying to run a hot engine with no oil pressure at start up vs a cold one. Hmmm; I'm no expert, but seem to me like there is zero clearance until an oil film is established; and the lesser viscosity lubricant will be pumped to the surfaces sooner than the thicker stuff. Just my $0.02

Re: whats the coldest temp you'd start your car at? [Re: DZJim] #189853 01/12/09 10:56 PM 01/12/09 10:56 PM
Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska R RapidRobert Circle Track
RapidRobert Circle Track R Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska	That's why I use my accusump religiously, a quarter turn flip of the handle, in 6 seconds the psi is up. It's not reaching all of the rods due to the crank position/oiling holes with my half groove main bearings but it's much better than not using one. live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth

Re: whats the coldest temp you'd start your car at? [Re: DZJim] #189854 01/13/09 09:32 AM 01/13/09 09:32 AM
Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,195 Snowing in the north! D Dart 340 moparts member
Dart 340 moparts member D Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,195 Snowing in the north!	Quote: Quote: Quote: wind chill only affects warm blooded people/animals. It can drop the temp of an object faster than it would drop if there was no wind but it doesn't drop it below the ambient temp. Right on RR Also guys keep in mind the clearances between things are a lot different at cold temps vs hot temps. I'd freak out more trying to run a hot engine with no oil pressure at start up vs a cold one. Hmmm; I'm no expert, but seem to me like there is zero clearance until an oil film is established; and the lesser viscosity lubricant will be pumped to the surfaces sooner than the thicker stuff. Just my $0.02

Re: whats the coldest temp you'd start your car at? [Re: aarcuda] #189855 01/13/09 09:36 AM 01/13/09 09:36 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 24,562 Brookeville, Md Mr.Yuck Not enough dumb comments...yet
Mr.Yuck Not enough dumb comments...yet Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 24,562 Brookeville, Md	teens??? I drove a 69 383 Charger as a daily for a while I used 10/40 and it'd start right up in teens w/ ease... I usually just let the car idle for 30-40 seconds in N before I try and drive it, reguardless of vehicle.

Re: whats the coldest temp you'd start your car at? [Re: Mr.Yuck] #189856 01/13/09 10:11 AM 01/13/09 10:11 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 9,436 Blair County,PA 62maxwgn master
62maxwgn master Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 9,436 Blair County,PA	So I guess my last question would be,how many engines (properly maintained) have been ruined by starting in cold weather? My best guess of those that have replied so far would be none.

Re: whats the coldest temp you'd start your car at? [Re: Dart 340] #189857 01/13/09 10:30 AM 01/13/09 10:30 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 25,200 Upper Midwest M MoparforLife Too Many Posts
MoparforLife Too Many Posts M Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 25,200 Upper Midwest	Quote: Quote: Quote: Quote: wind chill only affects warm blooded people/animals. It can drop the temp of an object faster than it would drop if there was no wind but it doesn't drop it below the ambient temp. Right on RR Also guys keep in mind the clearances between things are a lot different at cold temps vs hot temps. I'd freak out more trying to run a hot engine with no oil pressure at start up vs a cold one. Hmmm; I'm no expert, but seem to me like there is zero clearance until an oil film is established; and the lesser viscosity lubricant will be pumped to the surfaces sooner than the thicker stuff. Just my $0.02 There is a residual oil film maintained and the mains and rod bearings will receive oil before slightly before the gauge shows pressure. Off topic but ever when a lifter pops out of the bore and the oil pressure drops to 0 because of a large flowage at the lifter bore the mains and rod bearings should still be oiling as they are first in line for oiling and the oil flows from them to the cam and lifters and the pressure line is in teh line above the bottom end bearings.

Re: whats the coldest temp you'd start your car at? [Re: MoparforLife] #189858 01/13/09 10:49 AM 01/13/09 10:49 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,931 P Paul_Fancsali master
Paul_Fancsali master P Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,931	Better to ask can you start your car right up with no choke and at 0 degree's and using point ignition to boot 10w 40w oil. Never had a problem since using the newer style starters. I highly also recommend 5-20wt semi synthetic for any daily drivers use it and it works !

Re: whats the coldest temp you'd start your car at? [Re: Paul_Fancsali] #189859 01/13/09 11:04 AM 01/13/09 11:04 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 827 twin cities D dart_sportsatellite super stock
dart_sportsatellite super stock D Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 827 twin cities	I was looking in my rear view mirror today, and would swear that I sold a 70s Challenger on the road. -17 F. here now.

Re: whats the coldest temp you'd start your car at? [Re: dart_sportsatellite] #189860 01/13/09 11:35 AM 01/13/09 11:35 AM
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 15,489 the boonies aarcuda OP I Live Here
aarcuda OP I Live Here Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 15,489 the boonies	well i glanced at my service manual over the weekend and saw the oil vicosity/temperature page. basically, it said to used 10w40 where temps are consistantly above 32 degrees. the chart went down to say running straight 10w at temps below -10 degrees. thats sounds crazy. I didnt see 20w50 listed but f i take all the oil and temps they did list, it sounded like 20w50 might be best if its not used at temps too low. ie, if 10w40 was not recommended for under 32 degrees, I would venture to guess that 20w50 would not be recommended for use around 36-38 degrees or below

Re: whats the coldest temp you'd start your car at? [Re: aarcuda] #189861 01/13/09 01:01 PM 01/13/09 01:01 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 25,200 Upper Midwest M MoparforLife Too Many Posts
MoparforLife Too Many Posts M Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 25,200 Upper Midwest	Quote: well i glanced at my service manual over the weekend and saw the oil vicosity/temperature page. basically, it said to used 10w40 where temps are consistantly above 32 degrees. the chart went down to say running straight 10w at temps below -10 degrees. thats sounds crazy. I didnt see 20w50 listed but f i take all the oil and temps they did list, it sounded like 20w50 might be best if its not used at temps too low. ie, if 10w40 was not recommended for under 32 degrees, I would venture to guess that 20w50 would not be recommended for use around 36-38 degrees or below I agree with the 20/50 other than I wouldn't use it below 40 if I could help it. It pour factor is slow at best at that temp and any lower it gets real thick. Clean it, if it's Dirty. Oil it, if it Squeaks. But: Don't fix it, if it Works!

Re: whats the coldest temp you'd start your car at? [Re: MoparforLife] #189862 01/14/09 05:53 PM 01/14/09 05:53 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 4,588 St. John's Newfoundland 440newport master
440newport master Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 4,588 St. John's Newfoundland	I drove my Mirada with a built up 360 through the winter a few years ago because it was my only running car at the time. I ran 15w40 in it with a high volume oil pump and I was always worried I might shear the oil pump drive starting it in the winter. Temps would usually be 0-15* F. For the first few minutes the 80psi pressure gauge would be pretty much pegged

Re: whats the coldest temp you'd start your car at? [Re: aarcuda] #189863 01/14/09 07:02 PM 01/14/09 07:02 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 31,023 Oregon A AndyF I Win
AndyF I Win A Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 31,023 Oregon	My last Mopar daily driver vehicle was a 1976 D200 pickup truck with a 440 and that rig would not start if the temp was below freezing. I installed a factory block heater in it and that solved that problem. If I didn't plug the heater in though the motor would just turn over really slow and never fire. I think it was a combination of thick oil, cold battery and poor fuel atomization.

Re: whats the coldest temp you'd start your car at? [Re: AndyF] #189864 01/14/09 08:06 PM 01/14/09 08:06 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 25,200 Upper Midwest M MoparforLife Too Many Posts
MoparforLife Too Many Posts M Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 25,200 Upper Midwest	early this morning we hit 30 below again and both vehicles were run today. My truck was plugged in all morning but the wife's van sat in a unheated garage and she left for 'Curves' and then work at 5:30AM. Supposed to be colder tonight. Not supposed to get above 0 before sometime Friday. Then possibly int the plus 30's next week. Bikini weather. My hay is under there someplace. 4948327-Hay2009.jpg (18 downloads)

Re: whats the coldest temp you'd start your car at? [Re: aarcuda] #189865 01/14/09 10:09 PM 01/14/09 10:09 PM
Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 59 Tampa, Fl. T tampacuda69 member
tampacuda69 member T Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 59 Tampa, Fl.	Back in mid '80's I had a '72 Toyota Celica. Parked outside during very cold winters. I had to spray starter fluid into the carb to get it to start. It would with a bang, till that one -13 deg. morning when it went bag, started and ran for 3 seconds. Broke the cam timing gear, and cam shaft.

Re: whats the coldest temp you'd start your car at? [Re: buildanother] #189866 01/14/09 10:28 PM 01/14/09 10:28 PM
Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,179 California mickm master
mickm master Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,179 California	back in the day my hemi gtx was my daily driver. lived in colorado, and used to fire it up almost every day. i'm sure there were a few times when it wouldn't start, but i don't specifically remember. one time, driving down a snow packed road, i thought hmmmm.... put it in 4th gear, dumped the clutch, and buried the 150mph speedometer, all while doing about 5 mph

Re: whats the coldest temp you'd start your car at? [Re: mickm] #189867 01/14/09 10:44 PM 01/14/09 10:44 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 25,200 Upper Midwest M MoparforLife Too Many Posts
MoparforLife Too Many Posts M Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 25,200 Upper Midwest	8:30PM now and -26 and dropping. Vehicles will be going in the morning.

Re: whats the coldest temp you'd start your car at? [Re: MoparforLife] #189868 01/14/09 11:48 PM 01/14/09 11:48 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 9,436 Blair County,PA 62maxwgn master
62maxwgn master Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 9,436 Blair County,PA	Quote: 8:30PM now and -26 and dropping. Vehicles will be going in the morning. I guess that answers the original question!

Re: whats the coldest temp you'd start your car at? [Re: 62maxwgn] #189869 01/15/09 09:07 AM 01/15/09 09:07 AM
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 15,489 the boonies aarcuda OP I Live Here
aarcuda OP I Live Here Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 15,489 the boonies	ya, well i hope he has a block heater or some 0w30 weight oil in it

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