[tduncklee]

I’m wondering if anyone has determined how long of a warm-up is needed before flipping the switch to WVO. I’ve been waiting until the needle is at the first mark on the gauge (96 PSD). This is about 6 minutes at 35-35 MPD in 70deg weather. I’m not sure if I’m waiting long enough. However, I’m sure temps are much higher at the injector then at the temp sensor. Of course I’d like to switch to oil ASAP.

Another question... In 20-30deg weather my engine will never get up to full temp. Anyone else experience this? I was thinking about making a snap on canvas radiator cover for next winter.

TD

 

[angst]

TD
Your q has been unanswered for a day. Im a fellow TNer and im not the powerstroke expert but Ill give it a shot.
1. I learned from the PS 94-97 forum that you need to forget about the in dash gauge. Its not meant to be accurate and apparently very much isn't. Add an aftermarket water temp gauge. Ill be adding an el cheapo $15 one from Harbor freight. It threads right into an available port in the front of the water heater. A high quality one will still probably only be $40. Harbor freight also has $50 non contact thermometer that are an awesome tool that you will use much more often than you would have thought.

Wall Mart sells indoor/outdoor thermomemeters for your house for $9ea. They have digital temp displays and also record your highest and lowest temp and have a 10 foot wires on them to a probe. Put two on your fuel lines to tell system performance in different areas. Wrap the probe for extra instulation. The display of the thermometer actually looks great inside the cab.
Take out the stock fan and clutch in the winter. Many apparantly do every winter.
I took mine out to change water pump and found that the fan clutch is what screwed up the wate rpump. Im now replacing it with an electric fan from a Windstar van. You can get kits at autozone that control the on temp of the fan to come on at your chosen temp anywhere from 160 to 240. Im probably gonna set mine at 200. Search the 94-97 and 94-97 aftermarket forum and your find some info on going electric.

Since my truck is about half taken apart since im doing my conversion and my fan mods at the same time I can tell you that from short trips with less tham my full cooling system in place that long warm up times just seem to be the nature of the stroke.
I understand that cardboard over the radiator is effective (when due care is taken) and will help get your operating temps in their intended range in winter. I understand that the prob. with blocking off the radiator is that it is very imprecise and you will have to keep a good eye on an AFTERMARKET water temp gauge and adjust your cardboard all the time for different temps and driving conditions.

I have a q for you. How did you get a 110 gal tank UNDER the car? Im guessing you ditched the spare tire and added a ford bronco tank?
Eric Z
Chattanooga TN

 

[tduncklee]

Angst,

Thanks for the ideas!

Re: 110gal; I’ve only once in my life needed a spare (except for trailers) so I decided I needed the fuel more than the tire. Since then I’ve been stranded with a flat twice. Figures... I cut the tire support frame out so I could use all the space for a tank. Also put smaller tanks next to running boards on sides. I built the tanks out of aluminum and added a couple marine type fill necks in the side of the body. Works fantastic. Now just wish I had room for a good heated filter. My brother managed to get one of those huge fattywagon.com filters under the hood of his chevy van. Tight fit but sure is nice not having to crawl under van to change filter.

TD

 

[BlueMule]

[ QUOTE ]
I’m wondering if anyone has determined how long of a warm-up is needed before flipping the switch to WVO. I’ve been waiting until the needle is at the first mark on the gauge (96 PSD). This is about 6 minutes at 35-35 MPD in 70deg weather. I’m not sure if I’m waiting long enough. However, I’m sure temps are much higher at the injector then at the temp sensor. Of course I’d like to switch to oil ASAP.

[/ QUOTE ]

I saw this post Friday morning before I left for work so I payed close attention to my temperature guages and distances. Im not sure if your van has the same guage as the F series trucks but ours are just marked with N-O-R-M-A-L. I also have a Westach dual guage that reads H2O and WVO temps. I left here at 3:30 AM and the temp was 64º I live just under a mile from the freeway ramp so the 1st few minutes are on surface streets then its on the freeway with the cruise set at 70. By the time I reach the 3 mile mark the water temp is up to 160º or just below the N on the OEM guage and then I switch over to veggie. Another 2 miles and the water is up to 180º and the oil is 140º

For the afternoon commute I do things a little different. I went home at 3:00 and the temp was 98º I drive the work truck over to the pickup and start it and turn on the a/c, park the mixer and drive the pickup over to the office to punch out. Before going in to the timeclock I flip the chip to the hi idle position (1000 rpm) By the time I'm ready to leave the truck has been running for 8 minutes and the water is up to 180º and the oil is 120º. Zero miles traveled and Im on the oil. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif By the time I hit the freeway on the way home (4.5 miles) the oil is 170º and the water is 195º-200º With my guages the "N" is equal to 170º and each addition letter is good for a 10º increase. I have a 203º thermostat and a set of windstar electric fans so both of them help me get the oil up to temperature and then keep it there. One of Bob Rileys 203º thermostats might work for you to bring you up to temp in the cold months. You can buy it HERE

 

[tduncklee]

Rodney,

Sounds like I have the same OEM gauge. I have the 203º thermostat also. However, your system sounds like it warms up faster than mine. I’ll get a digital gauge and see what it’s doing.

Thanks,
TD