I have just moved here from San Diego, where I used my '59 all year. What do I do to store the car in the winter? I treated the gasoline, do I still need to drain it? Do I store it on jack stands? It is in a heated garage, and I'd like to be able to do some minor repairs on the interior and guages, but don't expect to take it out on the road here.
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Re: Winter storage in Michigan
If in a heated garage, change the oil and disconnect the battery. You will be fine.Bill Clupper #618 -
Re: Winter storage in Michigan
Bill, Another option to disconnecting the battery is to use a "battery tender". It is a small charger that puts a small float charge on the battery when the car is not driven. It simply clips to the battery posts. All of the Corvette parts suppliers have them. I got mine from California Car Cover.Comment
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Re: I would still disconnect the battery
Seems the strangest darned things seem to happen regarding cars and fires while in storage.
I'd disconnect the battery, remove it AND place the battery on the tender in a safe non flammable location with potected outlet.
ChuckComment
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Re: Winter storage in Michigan
DON'T PUT IT ON JACKSTANDS! Pump the tires up to the maximum cold inflation pressure listed on the tire sidewall or at least 35 psi.
Change the oil and filter and coolant and brake fluid if the two year expiration will be reached before the end of storage. The clock does not run on fresh oil in the crankcase, so you can use it for the next driving season and change it again prior to winter storage.
Fill the tank with fresh fuel as you apparently have done. I don't use commercial stabilizers and have never had any problems storing cars up to a year in mild temperatures. Colder storage temps slow any fuel reactions. Bottom line is that a few months of winter storage is no problem for gasoline. The tank should be full to minimize the potential moisture condensation problem.
Disconnect and charge the battery once a month. It's a hassle to remove the battery from most C2s since the heater hoses must be removed, but if it's easy to pull out on a C1 go ahead and remove it.
The most common damage to stored cars and the preparation procedure that is most often overlooked is protection from rodents, so be sure the area around the car, engine compartment, interior and truck are equipped with traps and poison.
DukeComment
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Re: I would still disconnect the battery
Chuck, I agree that it is safer to remove the battery for long term storage, but I like to be able to start and move my car, weather permitting, during the long, cold NY winters.
JimComment
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Re: I would still disconnect the battery *NM*
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Re: Let's try this again
Ya don't hafta tell me about the long N.Y. winters, as I live in the Saratoga Springs area north of Albany.
Cold soaking is a way of life around these parts and I'm just talking about HUMAN body parts
Un attended electrical devices in cars like these tenders, block heaters and such worry me. I've seen two fire wrecks as a result of malfunctioning block heaters in 427s, plus I almost lost a car due to a malfunctioning trickle charger that shorted out internally.
Just the "Nervous Nellie" in me I guess
ChuckComment
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Re: Winter storage in Michigan
The best way to store a Michigan car in the winter is to take to Disneyworld!!Comment
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Re: Winter storage in Michigan
I kept mine in a Coney Island. Have yet to get all the grease off the interior.Comment
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Re: Let's try this again
I agree 100% with Chuck. I don't believe in battery tenders at all for cold weather storage. Batteries don't self discharge because they're cold. They self discharge when they're hot. The become less efficient when cold but the charge is not lost. When that same cold battery is warmed to room temp in the spring, it will have nearly the same charge it did when stored in the fall. I've parked cars outside and not driven them all winter in Illinois but in the spring when the battery is warm again, it will be nearly fully charged. Same with the battery in a lawn mower. If fully charged in the fall when stored for the winter, it will still be nearly fully charged in the spring. Batteries discharge rapidly here in hot Florida. A fully charged battery will be nearly dead in just a month of non use here. Disconnect it and forget it till spring.
MichaelComment
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Re: Yep, and dead batteries freeze solid
Don't they Mike
ChucksterComment
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Re: Winter storage in Michigan
what about fogging the cylinders ? should we be fogging at the carb and drowning the car out or a shot in the cylinders at the plugs, and are we using fog oil or wd40? or just plain engine oil? , . and what about fuel injection? do you fog at the intake or just pull plugs and give a shot. For years i have listened to some people who state they like to start the car a few times while stored i personally believe put it away and forget it , till spring , but lets discuss on how to do it right. Starting the vehicle just introduces moisture into the engine and exhaust. I did read a couople posts on these car bags , are they all that good?Comment
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Re: Yep, and dead batteries freeze solid
Yea, they kinda get all puffy and round, like they've been inflated. They don't seem as willing to take a charge in the spring when they thaw out again.Comment
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Re: Yeah, if they could bounce
Mr. Jordan could be pulling slam dunks with em
I agree, back to productive conversationsComment
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