F head Cold weather starting????

I've yet to see temp's below +40F Since I got the Jeep, I'm used to automatic chokes.
How well do these F heads start in... say 10 degree weather??
Obviously I'll have to experiment with the choke to learn what she need's
But I was considering a lower radiator hose heater, plugs into 120v cord and keeps the engine at running temperature all the time.
I'm thinking the heater will help me extend the engine life and have easier starting. I had one on my Diplomat and rigged a setup that 1 plug supplied power to the heater as well as a trickle charger for the battery. Also changed the wiring for the car's heater fan to be on low speed below 35F outside temp. with a thermostat.
I had this setup for the last 2 years and never had to scrape my windows, plus the car was nice and toasty warm inside.
I'd just like your opinion as well as suggest this modification if you think it's a good idea.:hurrican:

 

Sounds like a great idea to me. If you remember I picked mine up right around the same time you got yours. I haven't messed with a manual choke on a vehicle for quite sometime either. It didn't want to start to well today but sure enough I pulled the choke out and up she fired. I pushed it back in and it darn near died before I pulled it out a bit and left it there for awhile. I also am up in the cold north and want to run her in the snow- but not the salt! I just cleaned the oil bath air filter and used SAE 20 weight which I hope lets it breath on our crisp 10 degree days- I have my doubts though. If you do use the rad hose heater please post your results as I will probably be right behind you. I also like the idea of the trickle charge combo- keep the good ideas coming.

 

I drove exclusively (six volt) F-heads daily for about 20 years, through NH winters, including one memorable winter with no top or cab.... The battery would only crank for about ten seconds total, so I got a routine for "first-time" starts. Here's what worked for me..

New points, cap, and rotor each Fall, properly adjusted. Clean all battery connections. This is important.

Set full choke, "pump" just once on the accelerator, then hold the pedal one third down.

Crank engine. After no more than (!) two rotations, or if it tries to fire, immediately push choke in halfway, and crank again. Crank in three second bursts. When it fires for real, pump the gas pedal and manipulate the choke until it warms up a little, but only if it's actually trying to run. Don't keep the choke full out or it will flood.

When I got the "Fonzie Touch" I could start at minus 35º F, when no other vehicle in the neighborhood was able to.

On real bad days add a whiff of Starting Fluid down the carb throat before cranking. If all else fails, remember to park at the top of a hill, pointing downslope...

Good Luck!

 

Sounds good to me I just printed it out and taped it to my dash.R)

 

-35F? HOLY CRAP! or are you talkin Celcius? I thought the tires crack at that temp.?
Anyway, I figure if I insulate the hood during thhe winter then I shouldn't even have to touch the choke with the heater. But I will definitley experiment with cold weather starting to get the feel for it.
And don't worry I'll post pic's and a worklog installing the heater.

 

yep, Farenheit. Not often; but we usually see Minus 20ºF each winter here in NH.

When it's that cold you can flick off the light switch, run across the room and jump into bed before it gets dark... The outside thermometer went so low it pulled the porch off the house.

This global warming deal sounds like a good idea but it just hasn't panned out yet...



Pete

 

Amazing what mother nature can do! I bill out at $73 an hour so restaurants can store their frozen food at 0F to -10F and once worked on a unit that stores blood plasma at -35F I once took a cup of hot coffee and poured it out at shoulder height and it landed frozen on the floor! HOW do you survive at those temps??????