Well, it has come upon me that I need to do some repairs (on a 1983 240), and I can't really wait for summer. I'll be replacing all the front seals (camshaft, crank, and auxiliary shaft), the valve cover gasket, and the (original equipment) water pump while I am at it. Some of these involve rubber seals (water pump, front seals), or involve RTV silicone sealant (water pump, valve cover). All this will be done, as usual, in my driveway.

And it is cold out. Today it got up to -11F. Tomorrow we are hoping for 20F, but then back down to -5F in two or three days.

Aside from frostbite, are there any reasons these types of jobs cannot be done in the cold? Any issues to watch for, or tips for coping?

I will have to drain the coolant to do the water pump, which normally would ask for a cold engine. But at these temperatures, I wouldn't want to flush with hose water -- it would freeze inside the engine block and radiator. Also I don't know if RTV sets up properly at these temperatures (yes, I know what "RTV" stands for). And the cold oil is like applesauce, so it won't really drain right.

I was thinking of doing this with a warm engine instead, and just being real carefull not to burn myself on hot coolant. Then again, maybe the cold hose water (coming from a well, so it is about 34F these days -- my household cuts things close, I guess -- less some due to a 100foot hose run through snow) on a hot engine would do serious damage. Maybe I have to lug tubs of warm water out from the bath...

Thanks for all the help!
-Kev