Keeping the engine warm in winter

[neb_scot]

Im pretty sure my choke needs cleaned as it never engages no matter the temperature, which means the car can easily stall at stop lights. Thankfully the electrics were all replaced recently and as a result, turns just fine, so as long as the engine is hot, the Bronco runs sweet.

However - since I filled the antifreeze in the engine, is seems as though it cannot get hot enough any more. After about 30mins there is some heat that comes out the blower, but I really would like to make that happen earlier if possible. I freeze easily.

An uncle of mine used to swear by blocking part of his radiator with a piece of board, stopping the cold air getting to all of it. Given its getting to the time of year when its regularly just above or below 0, I figure it wouldn't do any harm to try out - however Im still apprehensive. So I was wondering if anyone had any other tried and tested methods....

[Ruffinit]

Let me start by saying that the BII has a heater that will raise the temp in Alaska by 2 degrees if you leave the doors open and the heater on high...

Sounds to me like you have a thermostat that's stuck open. It'll take about 20 minutes to change.

What happens is that because the water is allowed to flow freely through the engine, it stays cool and with cold air running through the radiator gets itself too cold. That means that the engine won't run that well (they're designed to run at a specific temp which is around 160 to 180 degrees), it will not run warm enough to keep up the fuel economy nor nor keep the emissions down.

Let us know how it turns out.

[Nobody]

Let me start by saying that the BII has a heater that will raise the temp in Alaska by 2 degrees if you leave the doors open and the heater on high...

I agree. My BII heater would melt your face off.

I suspect there is air trapped in the cooling system from when it was changes. It can be a really pita to get out. Try pulling a heater hose at the firewall and letting the air out.

[bronco_II]

i had the same problem replaced thermostat flushed the rad system still not heating up...i bought a winter front put it on.....havnt had a problem since and its nice a nd toasty warm

[neb_scot]

Can I ask where you got your winter front? And how much it was?

Also - what terms would you recommend searching with online to find one? Ive tried "winter front" and a number of derivatives and it mostly returns replacement grills.

Sorry for the newbie questions -

[djadjective]

I found a winter front from what I think is one of the only companies making one for a bronco II, Fia. An auto parts or a 4x4 store should be able to special order one, but I think you can get one through Fia online. They use stickon tabs so you can remove the front but still have the tabs mounted to your grill, or you can pop the back plate off of the tabs and use self tappers to hook them to your grill. I did that cause I dont trust glue at freezing temps. It raised my temps a lot in my truck and I think it was like $75-80 before shipping. You get a winter front and a mesh bug screen in the kit, and when I ordered mine through a truck accessory place he had to call to see if it was available for a bronco II, so Im not sure its in their catalog.

[Ruffinit]

Well, even though I definately don't need one, I thought I'd do a look-see and I found that this company has the BII custom ones (I only looked up the '84) for $64.95. Here's the link:

http://www.realtruck.com/fia_winter_fro ... P1C1T.html