ADVISE ON STORING VET FOR WINTER
 

Since I don't have anymore garage space and I don't want to leave my 74 outside covered for the winter I will be keeping it in someones barn for the winter.
I was think about buying one of those car bags they claim are mouse and moisture proof.
Besides putting stablizer in the tank is there anything else I need to do.
It will be stored for approx 6 months
Schoon

RE: ADVISE ON STORING VET FOR WINTER
 

Car bags are good, but don't forget to put in one of those little buckets of dehumidifier... the ones they make for boats work great. Personally, I just use a decent (flannel lined) cover with bungees on the corners to keep it snug. Definitely throw some protecting wax/polish/etc. on the body and chrome. Definitely throw some good leather conditioner on the seats (if you have leather). Definitely use a good treatment on the dash and plastic pieces as well. Temperature and humidity changes (swelling/shrinking of pieces and joints) can make wierd things appear over the winter, like bubbles of rust on chrome, oxidation on plastic, etc.. Moisture around stress cracks can make them grow and split as the moisture seeps in and freezes...

bill.

RE: ADVISE ON STORING VET FOR WINTER
 

Bill,
Do you keep yours outside or inside.

RE: ADVISE ON STORING VET FOR WINTER
 

Hi Schoon, if you go to the top of the main page and hit "Search" and type in storage, you'll get lots of help, PG

RE: ADVISE ON STORING VET FOR WINTER
 

Drive it down here to New Mexico.Can just leave it outside-no problem!:D Tellyou something though, Iwas back in July visiting my family. MY mom bough a Subaru Outback new in 2002. had not seen it since then. Most cars back in that kind of weather go to crap after a few years.

Darn thing looked as if it came off the show room 5 years later and no garage!. I recall growing up, cars did not last 4-5 years before all the rust showed up. new undercoating i guess does wonders.

RE: ADVISE ON STORING VET FOR WINTER
 

Points I'd like to add. Some mouse or rat bait under the hood, jack stands to get the tires off the ground, and rags in the exhaust pipes to stop moisture creep.
And change your oil, oil and air filters, and cover it to keep the dust off. If ya use a cover, crack the windows a little so the car can breath. It'll smell better next spring. ;)

RE: ADVISE ON STORING VET FOR WINTER
 

Rub some clear brake fluid on the side walls of the tires, inside and out, to keep them from drying out, once you have it on blocks and let some of the air out as well.

How long will it be stored?

RE: ADVISE ON STORING VET FOR WINTER
 

It will be stored for 6 months.
What about pulling the plugs etc. ?
I was thinking if there was a nice day or 2 during the winter and no salt on the roads I might fire it up and cruise a little. I would think this would help the car stay in better shape.

RE: ADVISE ON STORING VET FOR WINTER
 

Don't pull the plugs, ya want to keep the engine sealed. Ya might want to at least start 'er once in a while to keep fluidscoating the internals, also helps with keeping gaskets and seals from dryin' out. ;)Oh ya, disconnect the bat., you can alwasy hook it back up for a little run time. :)

RE: ADVISE ON STORING VET FOR WINTER
 

I also put a trickle charger on my battery. It keeps it from going dead.

RE: ADVISE ON STORING VET FOR WINTER
 

Keep an eye on the battery if you use a float charger, they claim not to overcharge but I've had to add water in the batteries that were maintained with a Battery Tender.

RE: ADVISE ON STORING VET FOR WINTER
 

If you put the car in the air, do not let the rear wheels completely leave the ground as it will ruin shocks if they have completely support the weight of the wheels, tires, trailing arms, etc for that long. I ruined a couple of Koni adjustables by having the rear in the air for a long time. [:@]

RE: ADVISE ON STORING VET FOR WINTER
 

Thanks, this is good to know!

RE: ADVISE ON STORING VET FOR WINTER
 

Yes, make sure that you buy a good charger. Some will overcharge and damage the battery. The first one that I used was a cheap unit that I got at a discount store. It boiled my $100 motorcycle battery dry . It had to be replaced. I've been using the brand name Battery Tender made by Deltran for both my bike and my vette without any problems.

I leave the batteries in the vehicle, connected. In fact, on my bike I ran the quick connect that they supply with the charger out to a spot by the rear fender. Now, no matter what time of year, I connect the charger whenever I put the bike back in the garage after a ride.

RE: ADVISE ON STORING VET FOR WINTER
 

As for pulling the plugs... I agree "no", but... You can pick up some "fogging oil" at your local marine store. With the car running (let it heat up a bit), spray fogging oil into the carb until you get some white smoke starting from the exhaust. Then either turn it off, or if you are single handing the job, either cover the carb with a rag to starve it or yank the coil wire. The fogging oil will coat the inside of the cylinder walls and tops of the pistons and dry a little tacky. When you fire it up in the spring, the gas will dissolve it on the top end and it will burn off right away in the bottom end, and (rumor has it) even help with the piston rings. This is standard procedure on boats, and mine is now on year number 20 of fogging as part of winterization... Oh yeah, that would be a pair of 454ci big blocks that sit between 3000 and 3200 RPM under a pretty heaby load for hours and hours at a time pushing 26,000 lbs of boat down the river. :)

bill.

RE: ADVISE ON STORING VET FOR WINTER
 

Never heard of "Fogging oil", thanks bill. :)

RE: ADVISE ON STORING VET FOR WINTER
 

Yup, fogging oil is good stuff. Another is CorrsionX. A spray on protect-ant for the exterior of the engine. Keeps everything fresh and in working order if applied once a month and before storing for the season. Keeps oxidation and corrosion out and keeps hoses and seals pliable. It was designed for salt water outboard engines. works great.

RE: ADVISE ON STORING VET FOR WINTER
 

How good is this Corrsion X stuff, sounds like it is not flamable?
This might reaaly be good for a car stored outside under a cover.
Does it build up after using it a few times.

RE: ADVISE ON STORING VET FOR WINTER
 

It dissipates after awhile so depending on frequency of application itshould not build up. Perhaps you could apply it the first time and then check and apply as needed. Outboard engines see a lot more abuse from elements and salt water then an auto engine does so it may not need to be applied as often. I don't recall it being flammable as most people that use it on their boats will apply it all year 'round, after each outing, but you would need to read the can. It works great. Cheers

http://www.corrosionx.com/

RE: ADVISE ON STORING VET FOR WINTER
 

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