What should be done to crawler for winter storage?

[splam]

I know you warm weather guys will probable say move south but some of us actually like the cold and snow. That being said I don't know that the old 350 likes it as much as I do so I was wondering if anyone has a recommendation on what to do going into winter. Last year I had a rusted out muffler and I got water in the engine so I pulled it and did a complete overhaul. The old girl is running great and I want to do whatever I can to keep her in good running condition but she will have to sit out side. I have never started it in the winter and don't even know if she would start in the cold snowy conditions in Northern Michigan or if that is a good idea in below freezing conditions. If you live in the cold climate do you start yours every so often or do you do something when you put it away for the winter?

Thanks

[Scottyb]

I use my 350 down to about -25. After that it is too cold for me. In line heater on weather colder than -10 is a must.. Two batteries helps also however, if it is plugged in for a couple hours one battery would work fine. I use 0-30 engine oil in the winter. I use a magnetic attached electric heater on the winch to get it warm when it is real cold, and it makes a big difference when pulling out cable. As well, when working in snow I use hard 5/16 bolts in the street pads for traction. about 24 sticking out of each side, two to a pad, on every third pad or so. a good inch out.
Scott

[splam]

Scott

Thanks for the reply. It would be nice to be able to use my crawler some through the winter. Do you have the inline heater in the lower radiator hose? I may buy one and give it a try this winter. Do you need starting fluid to get it started when cold?

[Scottyb]

The heater mounts on the left side of the engine. There are places to plumb it in. I will find a photo. Either for sure when it is below freezing if not plugged in,


.

[Scottyb]

check out this post on heaters
http://www.jdcrawlers.com/messageboard/ ... ank+heater

[Stan Disbrow]

Hi,

When I lived in the upper Hudson valley in NY, I used a heater that slipped down the oil dipstick tube. 150 watts to heat the oil. Worked pretty well, but that isn't the coldest spot of course. Down to -10 F about as bad as it usually got.

Stan