I have my 74 roadster stored in an unheated garage. Prior to parking it for the Winter I washed the car, changed the oil, filled the fuel tank and added oil and gas storage additives. My question is this,is it best to start it every two weeks or so and move it in and out of the garage or should I let it sit there until the salt is off the roads? Also, is there anything else I should have done or should do now? I have been getting conflicting views on this and being from California I haven't had to deal with this issue before.
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Re: Winter storage of 1974 Roadster in New England
Bill, Please see recent post regarding this very same situation. I think it was around the 3rd or 4th of this month (Feb). In a nutshell, "LEAVE IT BE", as most of the wear comes from starting a cold engine. So, why put wear on the engine three or four times when you can do it only once in the spring? I owned a '74 roadster for years in Massachusetts and stored it without starting it all winter.
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Re: Winter storage of 1974 Roadster in New England
I live in Boston. Have stored my Corvette in an unheated garage for 30 years. Also stored boats outside for around the same time. Don't start it. Only does harm. There's lots in the archives on this subject. It's a pretty well settled issue.
Change the oil before you put it away. Change the brake fluid and coolant before you put it away if their expiration dates will be up while in storage. Fill the tank to minimize condensation in there. Probably don't need a fuel stabilizer, but it won't hurt. I've got a fuel shut-off petcock plumbed into my main fuel line that I leave shutoff. It's an anti-theft device, but it does double duty in storage to prevent the tank from draining if there's a leak downstream. Wash the car and cover it with a cover that breathes (for indoor storage). You might want to inflate the tires to the maximum indicated on the sidewalls to minimize flat spotting. But this isn't much of a problem nowadays with modern radials. Any flat spotting will go away in the first few miles. Don't put the car on jackstands as it exposes the shock absorber piston rods to moisture and distorts the bushings in the suspension. And the only reason you'd put it on jackstands was for the tires. If your battery is good shape, it should be fine. A battery disconnect is always a good idea in any climate. I put mine on a slow charger once a month. Some people like a device called the "Battery Tender." Hook it up and leave it. But I'm afraid to leave something electrical hooked up for months on end. My battery's on it's last legs. When I get a new one, I'll buy the Tender. It's supposed to be the safest of them all. The battery disconnect is a very good idea.
Biggest problem is critters. I use mothballs, Irish Spring, fox piss, and one of those devices you can't hear but drives the critters nuts. Still get some. Working on that.Comment
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Re: Winter storage of 1974 Roadster in New England
I'd like to add the following based on my experience. If you plan to leave it in this unheated garage past the spring thaw, put a plastic tarp under it. When the ground thaws and the moisture comes up, it will settle on the entire underside and accelerate rust of frame, etc. The plastic will cut down on this happening tremendously.78 white L82 M21Comment
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Re: Winter storage of 1974 Roadster in New England
Thanks to all for the advice. The Vet (Lic. KULKAR) will have a winter rest. The one thing that worries me a little is the critter issue. I hadn't thought about that. We have a constant battle with squirrels and mice around here.
I assume the engine compartment is a favorite nesting area. Any other places I should check on a regular basis? BillComment
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Re: Winter storage of 1974 Roadster in New England
Yes, they love the engine compartment. If you have a snorkel type air cleaner, make sure you look in there for a nest before you start the car. They also love enclosed spaces. Probably trying to keep warm. They liked getting up into the gas tank compartment of my C1. Somehow they also got into the interior. They love carpet padding, firewall padding and seat padding for nests. One of the reasons I have a battery shut-off switch is that they love knawing on wiring.
I've got mothballs in the engine compartment, interior, trunk, and convertible top compartments. Plastic bags with mothballs covering the exhaust pipes. Steel wool would be good there too. Probably the best thing is that I go out to the garage, about once a week, and putter around. Lets them know that it's my place, not their's. A cat would be the best solution. New this year is fox urine. I've got great hopes for that.
Mothballs will stink a bit in the Spring. But I mostly drive the car with the top down, so it's not a problem.Comment
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Re: Winter storage of 1974 Roadster in New England
Thanks Chris. Tomorrow I buy mothballs. BillComment
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Re: Winter storage of 1974 Roadster in New England
Bill, I.ve had a lot of success with blood root and cloves. Seems to work as good as moth balls with less of a left-over smell.
Regards, JonComment
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Re: Winter storage of 1974 Roadster in New England
Jon, I know that bloodroot is a poison but I didn't know it would deter rodents. How do you utilize the bloodroot /cloves mixture, in a dish or hung in a bag? BillComment
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Re: Winter storage of 1974 Roadster in New England
Bill,
Up to a couple years ago I didn't either. It was first mentioned to me as an alternative by a professional garden center owner. I really didn't buy into it at that time. Then a local corvette guru brought it up. This guy has several very original cars that he never shows("for his eyes only")but babies to highest degree. Well, he also suggested it to me. Knowing the quality of the cars this guy owns and how he cares for them finally sold me. I use several applesause cups filled to the brim and placed in several locations in the engine compartment, interior, soft top compartment and trunk. I've never mixed them. Guess you could. Each is in its own container. Gets a little expensive with the whole cloves. I also collect and dry wild mint leaves and place them in my wifes old panty hose. Works great for stuffing in openings like exhaust, bottom of engine compartment, etc.. But I've had just as much sucess with these three as moth balls without the smell that lingers for mounths. It seems to me that I've also read on this site about lime crystals but I've never used them.
Regards, JonComment
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Re: Winter storage of 1974 Roadster in New England
Jon, thanks for the info, I'll give it a try. BillComment
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