Incomplete Winterization - Ideas?

[Christopher R.]

Went to put the Corvette away yesterday for the Winter. Started her up, and backed out of the garage. Was going to take the long way to the gas station to warm up the engine and exhaust pipes to burn off the condensation and to fill the tank to cut down on condensation in there. Change the oil when I get back with the full tank. Darn! Gas is gushing out in the neighborhood of the fuel pump. Better quickly get it back into the garage. (So when the car burns, I can get the garage too. Smart thinking.) The engine ran long enough to produce lots of condensation but not long enough to burn it off. I won't get a chance to fix the fuel pump for a while. With my schedule, there's a good chance the car will sit in its unheated garage until next April. Now what'll I do?

Well, I can make about 5 trips to the gas station with the lawn mower can in my civilian car. But what about the oil? I've been changing my own oil for years. It was ingrained in me to warm it before draining it. I've never done it any other way, and now I don't know what to think when I can't do it that way. I guess I can drain it cold. I can leave the drain open with a pan underneath for weeks. But after I put in the new oil, how do I distribute it throughout the engine without starting the car?

Maybe I'm obsessing. Gas spewing all over the place unsettles me. It's an article of faith with me that I should do something before I put the car away for the Winter. Any ideas?

[Clem Z.]

Re: Incomplete Winterization - Ideas?

i would change the oil/filter and either use a oil pump primer in the distributor hole or disconnect the + wire from the coil and crank the engine over till you see oil pressure on the gauge and then crank for 15/20 more seconds. make sure you do not crank for more that 10/15 seconds at one time to prevent the starter from over heating. the oil pump primer is the best way IMHO

[Clem Z.]

better idea

if the carb float bowl is full of gas just change the oil and filter,remove and plug the line from the tank to the pump,start the engine and run it till the float bowl goes empty and the engine shuts off.

[Christopher R.]

Re: better idea

Bingo! Clem, you're a genius.

[Clem Z.]

would you be

so kind as to tell mrs clem that!!

[Chas Kingston]

Clem, you're a genius

We've all known that about Motorman for years!!!!!!!

Ol'Geezr