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Cold Garage

  • Thread starter Thread starter JD1964
  • Start date Start date Nov 21, 2016

JD1964

there is enough sticking out to grab on to
15 Year Member
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Nov 21, 2016
#1
  • Nov 21, 2016
  • #1
I get a day when I can work on the engine and it's cold in the garage. 45 will be the high today so I'll fire up the jet heater. I'll probably be able to get the garage air up to 60 maybe. But I'm sure the block and heads are not gonna be that warm. Any problems installing and torquing heads down in these conditions?

At minimum today I plan to fabricate a positive stop so I can mark true TDC on balancer and install timing tape. I'll also install lifters and head studs.

My garage is pole barn unheated and uninsulated.
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
Mod Dude
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#2
  • Nov 21, 2016
  • #2
I feel ya, no wait this is FL. I'm go'n water ski'n. Crap, boat won't start! Take the bike for a ride, no buried in the back of the garage. I know, I'll drive the ugly gt to the liquor store and then watch opra. Decisions, decisions.
 
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RangerJoe

I leave the horn on while driving
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Nov 21, 2016
#3
  • Nov 21, 2016
  • #3
I have had the same thoughts in the past. I try to set the heater near my parts and give them an hour or so to acclimate. same with my tools. I found that my digital calipers do not work well when cold.

Joe
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
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Nov 21, 2016
#4
  • Nov 21, 2016
  • #4
Thermal expansion of metal from 45 to 60 is not that much.


Now if we were talking 40 to 1500 degrees...
 
Last edited: Nov 21, 2016
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General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
Mod Dude
Aug 25, 2016
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polk county florida
Nov 21, 2016
#5
  • Nov 21, 2016
  • #5
I do not work well when its cold.
 

old_blue

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Nov 3, 2003
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Nov 21, 2016
#6
  • Nov 21, 2016
  • #6
We're having a cold one today too. High of 66 but we'll be back up to 72 mid week. It's brisk out there. Might have to put some pants on versus shorts
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,169
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Nov 21, 2016
#7
  • Nov 21, 2016
  • #7
Did some calc on a typical 2" long steel bolt based on a 15 degree difference.

The bolt would be 0.000216" longer at 60 degrees vs 45 degrees. Like I said before, I wouldn't worry about it
 
Reactions: A5literMan, 95BlueStallion, Davedacarpainter and 1 other person

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
Mod Dude
Aug 25, 2016
27,829
10,509
203
polk county florida
Nov 21, 2016
#8
  • Nov 21, 2016
  • #8
Mustang5L5 said:
Thermal expansion of metal from 45 to 60 is not that much.


Now if we were talking 40 to 500 degrees, then you might notice that.
Click to expand...
Yea, burn your little pinkies
 
T

Triple white fox

Member
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Nov 21, 2016
#9
  • Nov 21, 2016
  • #9
My 3rd mustang I had. I left it in my parents garage did all thr work in the winter on school vacation heads and rockers torqued ever thing and the car ran fine no priblems. No heat just beers to keep warm
 
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Davedacarpainter

Chicks can make things hard if they’re inspired...
SN Certified Technician
Nov 28, 2015
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Discordia
Nov 21, 2016
#10
  • Nov 21, 2016
  • #10
So, no John, you won't have any problems.
 

90sickfox

Wasn't a pretty sight...and I've got big hands
SN Certified Technician
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Nov 21, 2016
#11
  • Nov 21, 2016
  • #11
You're lucky... All I've got is a set of halogen lights and one of those is blown...darn 500 watt stick bulbs.

Oh....and I only have a driveway...and a big ol'shed. Don't see me complainin'

You aren't either- it'll be fine [emoji106]
 

JD1964

there is enough sticking out to grab on to
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Nov 21, 2016
#12
  • Nov 21, 2016
  • #12
but im old, and my knees, and shoulders, and feet, and ....well, everything hurts. Especially when it gets cold.
 
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JD1964

there is enough sticking out to grab on to
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Nov 21, 2016
#13
  • Nov 21, 2016
  • #13
....but I admit, beer helps. And I got quad speakers with a sub woofer at each end of the garage. So good tunes is always in the mix
 
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90sickfox

Wasn't a pretty sight...and I've got big hands
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#14
  • Nov 21, 2016
  • #14
That's what my sheds for....beer and heat in the winter.
 

95BlueStallion

My assy trans to myself
15 Year Member
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Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Nov 21, 2016
#15
  • Nov 21, 2016
  • #15
I feel your pain John. Its in the 20's waking up, low 40's during the day here in Iowa at the moment. I have a 5 lug conversion to do with new wheels waiting to go on this weekend. I'll take that over replacing heads any day though. My back hurts for you, unless you have the engine out of the car, but I still hate replacing heads.
 

JD1964

there is enough sticking out to grab on to
15 Year Member
Jun 28, 2013
3,427
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Maryland
Nov 21, 2016
#16
  • Nov 21, 2016
  • #16
95BlueStallion said:
I feel your pain John. Its in the 20's waking up, low 40's during the day here in Iowa at the moment. I have a 5 lug conversion to do with new wheels waiting to go on this weekend. I'll take that over replacing heads any day though. My back hurts for you, unless you have the engine out of the car, but I still hate replacing heads.
Click to expand...

The engine is out. I'm just so friggin busy with work and everything. Hard to believe I even have time for hobbys like this. Blown head gasket = 18 months downtime?!?! Something aint right!!! Ya feel me?
 

JD1964

there is enough sticking out to grab on to
15 Year Member
Jun 28, 2013
3,427
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Maryland
Nov 21, 2016
#17
  • Nov 21, 2016
  • #17
I got some stuff done.

Balancer on with true TDC marked and timing tape on


Lifters in !!!


Oil sender and Crank pulley !!!




Motor mounts !!! Whooo Hooo !!!
 

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95BlueStallion

My assy trans to myself
15 Year Member
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Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Nov 22, 2016
#18
  • Nov 22, 2016
  • #18
There you go, get it done before it gets colder.
 

stang89bidges

Advanced Member
Mar 14, 2014
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Fort Worth Texas
Nov 24, 2016
#19
  • Nov 24, 2016
  • #19
Rebuilt my engine through the winter in a pole barn. Ported heads days on end with a dye grinder that kept freezing up as it produced moisture from the air tank. It would freeze and I would have to wait for it with a propane heater. What a fun winter that was.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk
 
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