Working on the Z in winter - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

ghlkal · 01-17-2019

I’m blessed to have a 30x50 shop/garage which I love to work in 6 months out of the year. The other 6 months are called winter here in Wisconsin and it gets cold. The shop isn’t insulated and it’s really too big and expensive to heat normally. (Yup, first world problem to be sure)

I decided I would try this experiment. I purchased a 10x20' “tent” for 60 bucks and set it up inside the garage. The ZR-1 is inside the tent. I can now heat inside the tent without heating the rest of the shop. Yeah, I know the tent isn’t very efficient at holding in the heat, but it’s much better than nothing. I just set it up today and I won’t really have a chance to use it for a couple weeks due to some other issues, but my preliminary test seems to indicate this should work. I plan to run my torpedo heater for 15 minutes inside the tent, and then switch to one of my electric heaters. In the small space, the torpedo heater will really warm things up, but it’s so darn loud. I’m hoping the quiet electric heater will be able to sustain the warmth over a few hours.

I’ll report the results in a month or so.

In the meantime, I’ll don my nomex suit and you can flame away regarding my idea.

Gary

G-Sting · 01-17-2019

Looks like a creative solution to work in a heated space! Let us know how it goes!

XfireZ51 · 01-17-2019

Sounds like a great idea.

Mr.Yuck · 01-17-2019

I think that will make a big difference for you. Another idea for ya, I park my Z on a over sized rubber car storage mat it helps keep the cold cement away from the Z and my feet when working on it.... I hope you pulled the correct permit for that structure Lol [emoji23] ... The tent police are harsh.

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George Maz · 01-18-2019

Consider using a CO Detector inside the tent while torpedo heating, or running engine. Carbon monoxide is a silent killer.
A large ABC type extinguisher nearby in case tent material catches fire. Halon type for the cars makes no powdery mess.
I heat a 20x20 peaked roof garage with wood burning stove, gets warm enough for just a tee shirt.

Z51JEFF · 01-18-2019

Ain’t nothin wrong with that,lookin good!

efnfast · 01-18-2019

Clever.
I agree with the CO detector.

Paul Workman · 01-18-2019

Fantastic idea! I recon heat will be from and electric heater - (CO, CO2 = XXX)

However, being a WI "cheese-head", I recon you could heat it by keeping a couple dairy cows in there with ya. And you could periodically burn the methane they generate too!

I do place cardboard on top of 8x10 carpet remnants to 'kill the chill' on the ol body when working under the car, and reduce condensation (!).

Anyway...sometimes "simple and elegant" solutions trump the "complex and wonderful". Your idea is great!

(Why didn't I think of that!?)

ghlkal · 01-18-2019

Thanks Guys

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-Sting

Looks like a creative solution to work in a heated space! Let us know how it goes!

Thanks. I won't have a chance to really try it out for a few weeks, but I'll let you know.

Quote:

Originally Posted by XfireZ51

Sounds like a great idea.

Thanks. I want to try something so I don't freeze out there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Yuck

I think that will make a big difference for you. Another idea for ya, I park my Z on a over sized rubber car storage mat it helps keep the cold cement away from the Z and my feet when working on it.... I hope you pulled the correct permit for that structure Lol [emoji23] ... The tent police are harsh.

Sent from my Gt-p7510 using ZR-1 Net Registry mobile app

Good idea about the mat. I do have an outdoor carpet down under the Z, and I think that helps. If I lived in the "big city" I would probably need a permit

Quote:

Originally Posted by George Maz

Consider using a CO Detector inside the tent while torpedo heating, or running engine. Carbon monoxide is a silent killer.
A large ABC type extinguisher nearby in case tent material catches fire. Halon type for the cars makes no powdery mess.

Good idea about the CO detector. I have one on the ceiling, but I might just put it inside the tent. And, good idea about extinguishers. I do have a couple in the garage, and I think I'll place one in the tent.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z51JEFF

Ain’t nothin wrong with that,lookin good!

Thanks, I think the "windows" add class

Quote:

Originally Posted by efnfast

Clever.
I agree with the CO detector.

You guys convinced me

Karl · 01-18-2019

I use to use kerosene floor torch heaters. They would always burn out and fail.

Was thinking about an electric heater but never got around to buying one.

01-17-2019	#2
G-Sting Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Kentucky Posts: 363	Re: Working on the Z in winter Looks like a creative solution to work in a heated space! Let us know how it goes! __________________ '94 ZR1 LT5 - Dark Red Metallic '79 L82 4-speeds of fun '96 LT1 Borla, H-pipe, TB, CAI (Sold) "An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered." -- G.K. Chesterton

01-17-2019	#3
XfireZ51 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chicagoland, IL Posts: 9,678	Re: Working on the Z in winter Sounds like a great idea. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Former Membership Chairman Former ZR-1 Registry - BOD 1972 Corvette 4speed base Coupe SOLD long time ago 1984 Corvette Z-51/4+3 SOLD 1992 Corvette ZR-1 Aqua/Gray #474 SOLD 1992 Corvette ZR-1 Black Rose/Cognac #458 2014 Honda VFR Interceptor DX

01-17-2019	#4
Mr.Yuck Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: WI Posts: 120	Re: Working on the Z in winter I think that will make a big difference for you. Another idea for ya, I park my Z on a over sized rubber car storage mat it helps keep the cold cement away from the Z and my feet when working on it.... I hope you pulled the correct permit for that structure Lol [emoji23] ... The tent police are harsh. Sent from my Gt-p7510 using ZR-1 Net Registry mobile app

01-18-2019	#5
George Maz Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 295	Re: Working on the Z in winter Consider using a CO Detector inside the tent while torpedo heating, or running engine. Carbon monoxide is a silent killer. A large ABC type extinguisher nearby in case tent material catches fire. Halon type for the cars makes no powdery mess. I heat a 20x20 peaked roof garage with wood burning stove, gets warm enough for just a tee shirt. __________________ 1990 ZR-1 #1587 1990 ZR-1 #1727

01-18-2019	#6
Z51JEFF Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Fremont,Ca Posts: 3,049	Re: Working on the Z in winter Ain’t nothin wrong with that,lookin good!

01-18-2019	#7
efnfast Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Dunbarton NH Posts: 7,287	Re: Working on the Z in winter Clever. I agree with the CO detector.

01-18-2019	#8
Paul Workman Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Squires (near Ava MO in the Mark Twain N'tl Forest) - Missouri Posts: 6,493	Re: Working on the Z in winter Fantastic idea! I recon heat will be from and electric heater - (CO, CO2 = XXX) However, being a WI "cheese-head", I recon you could heat it by keeping a couple dairy cows in there with ya. And you could periodically burn the methane they generate too! I do place cardboard on top of 8x10 carpet remnants to 'kill the chill' on the ol body when working under the car, and reduce condensation (!). Anyway...sometimes "simple and elegant" solutions trump the "complex and wonderful". Your idea is great! (Why didn't I think of that!?) __________________ Good carz, good food, good friendz = the best of timez! 90 #1202 "FBI" top end ported & relieved Cam timing by "Pete the Greek" Sans secondaries Chip & dyno tuning by Haibeck Automotive SW headers, X-pipe, MF muffs Former Secretary, ZR-1 Net Registry

01-18-2019	#10
Karl Join Date: May 2013 Location: Chicago Posts: 977	Re: Working on the Z in winter I use to use kerosene floor torch heaters. They would always burn out and fail. Was thinking about an electric heater but never got around to buying one. __________________ 1993 ZR-1 #211 Yellow On Beige Beast #2 1992 ZR-1 #427 Black On Black Sold 1985 L98 Blue On Blue Sold