How long to allow a car to sit?

[Timothy B.]

Re: How long to allow a car to sit?

Randy, I love it!!

One thing to keep in mind for long term storage is pumping the brake pedal several times to keep the piston seals round and prevent them from seepage. I have had this happen to my 67 twice from sitting. Do I go out and pump my brake pedal, NO, but I thought I would mention it anyway..

[Alger R.]

Re: How long to allow a car to sit?

Since I restored my 65, I have the small battery charger going all the time and start it every other month at a minimum. Before it was restored, it sat for 23 years waiting for my kids to grow up and leave.

[Terry M.]

Re: How long to allow a car to sit?

I doubt if any repro bias plys are constructed from nylon, but most H and above speed-rated radials have a spiral wound nylon cap belt above the steel belts.
Duke

Actually the F70 x 15 Goodyear Speedway Wide Treads for the early C3s that are made by John Kelsey are made with Nylon. The side of the tire says "Nylon Cord" and John told me that if it says "Nylon Cord" that is what it has to be made of. They ride, handle and flat spot just like the original tires do.

[Stephen B.]

Re: How long to allow a car to sit?

I can't believe no one has mentioned a stuck clutch, that is stuck to the flywheel. I first garage I built, the clutch would stick within 3 months of sitting. My second garage, I covered the gravel with plastic before pouring concrete (recommended by an NCRS member) and never a problem with the clutch with the same car.

I have an 71 LT-1 that hasn't been driven in years. The clutch has stuck to the flywheel twice . I had to pull the whole thing apart the last time just to move it.That car is parked in a dry garage on concrete.The longer they sit the more that goes wrong,so fellas we need to drive those bad boys. You never know when your next drive will be your last drive .
Stephen Barrett (21558) 59,66,71,73

[Jim T.]

Re: How long to allow a car to sit?

Don't know the answer of how long to allow a car to sit. I have let one sit for a year, filled the Holley with fresh fuel through the vent and dribbled some in the carb and it started right up, no cranking of engine more than a couple revolutions. Old fuel was not a problem.
Have had the clutch stick twice in the last 30 years.

How do they take care of cars in musuems?

[Ralph S.]

Re: How long to allow a car to sit?

I have a 1970 LT-1 that has been sitting for 16 years. Green/Green convertible.

[Bill M.]

Re: How long to allow a car to sit?

I dont know but i start all of my cars every few weeks and have had no problems over the last 25 years

[Mike M.]

Re: How long to allow a car to sit?

I have been using the car jacket for 6 years now for winter storage. I put the battery on a tender then I put the car car cover on and zip the bag shut and do nothing until its spring and when I'm ready to drive it. I take it out the rotors are rust free. No signs of moisture anywhere. My garage is not heated and temps go anywhere from -25C to +10C. I'm in southern Ont. so humidity is high.
www.carbag.com

[Pat M.]

Re: How long to allow a car to sit?

I dont know but i start all of my cars every few weeks and have had no problems over the last 25 years

Yup. I also feel an irresistable urge to drive them about that often anyway.

[Patrick B.]

Re: How long to allow a car to sit?

There's no need to take anything apart for a stuck clutch. Just start it in neutral and warm the engine so it will start easily the next time. Maneuver the car to where you are pointed toward a long driveway or clear street. Start the car in first gear with the clutch depressed and hold the clutch pedal down. The car will move during starting and drive in gear with the clutch down. Floor it to 5000 rpm then back off the gas quickly. If the clutch doesn't free up on acceleration,it will let go on engine braking. It's fun and easy.

[Steven B.]

Re: How long to allow a car to sit?

I have a 1970 LT-1 that has been sitting for 16 years. Green/Green convertible.

It doesn't happen to have gold pin stripes along the fender lines, does it?

Steve

[Dan D.]

Re: How long to allow a car to sit?

There's no need to take anything apart for a stuck clutch. Just start it in neutral and warm the engine so it will start easily the next time. Maneuver the car to where you are pointed toward a long driveway or clear street. Start the car in first gear with the clutch depressed and hold the clutch pedal down. The car will move during starting and drive in gear with the clutch down. Floor it to 5000 rpm then back off the gas quickly. If the clutch doesn't free up on acceleration,it will let go on engine braking. It's fun and easy.

The hot set-up is to wedge a block of wood in front of the clutch pedal before you put it to sleep, so the pedal is partially depressed. This keeps the clutch plate off the flywheel. Tractors use this as they often set for long periods of time. Often if you buy a new tractor a block of wood will be included, along with instructions in the operators manual. -Dan-

[Ralph S.]

Re: How long to allow a car to sit?

no gold pin stripes

[Robert K.]

Re: How long to allow a car to sit?

There's no need to take anything apart for a stuck clutch. Just start it in neutral and warm the engine so it will start easily the next time. Maneuver the car to where you are pointed toward a long driveway or clear street. Start the car in first gear with the clutch depressed and hold the clutch pedal down. The car will move during starting and drive in gear with the clutch down. Floor it to 5000 rpm then back off the gas quickly. If the clutch doesn't free up on acceleration,it will let go on engine braking. It's fun and easy.

Well I had one that was more stubborn then that. So I finally drove it up the road in 2nd gear at about 5000 rpms, pushed in the clutch and locked the brakes. Bang! and it was fixed. Not for the faint at heart.

[Harry S.]

Re: How long to allow a car to sit?

I park my 63 in November, disconnect the battery with a quick disconnect and cover it. I also over-fill the tires with air to avoid flat spots. I bought the battery in 1999.

In April I take the cover off, connect the battery, set the choke and fire her up. Has worked that way for years.

I check and fill the tires before the first run to get rid of the flat spots, if any.