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cold weather starting/oil viscosity 200 1983

Well, it might start. I'd go ahead and try before I assume problems.

The oil will be stiff. But, if the engine will turn over, I think it will probably start.

Battery is a little old. Die Hards, even old ones, have done right by me.

Easiest block/oil heater is the 'dipstick' variety that can be had from most auto parts places for a few bucks. Probably less than $10. Used one for years in Minnesota on old pickup trucks. It replaces the oil dipstick and warms the oil when plugged in. It works on 110V from a wall socket. They come in various lengths, so pick one that is approximately the same length as the dipstick in your car.

If you have a 'trouble light' or a light bulb on a cord that can be put inside the engine compartment, near the battery, it will warm the battery. If the light bulb is in the engine compartment long enough (hours) it might warm the engine block enough to help. Use the biggest bulb you have, 60W or larger, and perhaps even cover the engine and battery with a blanket with the light bulb under the blanket.

There is a possibility of fire any time you put something hot, like a light bulb, inside the engine compartment. But the use of a little common sense and a little space, like a couple of inches, between the bulb and anything else should be safe enough. Be wise, and be careful if you do this.

Jumping the battery, even with thick cables, from another car is a sort of last ditch effort. If you need to do this, connect the cables and let the running donor car charge the battery in your car through the cables for a while. 10 minutes would not be too long. That will warm your battery and give it a good charge. In reality, most of the starting current will come from your battery anyway. The jumper cable clamps do not make a connection good enough to provide much of the 100 amps or so the battery will have to source while the starter is turning.

Be certain the jumper cables are connected correctly. Reversed connections between the cars will almost certainly destroy at least one of the batteries and perhaps the charging system in one of the cars. Be wise, and be careful.

It may also be wise to clean the battery cables and battery posts before you try the jumping thing. Sometimes, just making sure the cables, clamps and posts are all clean and tight will be enough to get a start on a cold day.

If your car is a manual, put it in neutral first and keep the clutch depressed while starting. If it is automatic, it won't make much difference whether it is in park or neutral.

Good luck.

91-240, no longer in Minnesota.







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