winter storage

[jeff72]

Hello out there,

I've been reseaching high and low and read so many tips that I'm not 100% sure what is right when it comes to winter storage.

This is my first year with storing a classic for 3-4 months starting in November and I want to do it right. (1972 4-sp, 350)

So any tried and true tips from the more experienced is greatly appreciated.

I live in Wisconsin, my garage is detatched and not insulated so it gets pretty cold out there.

Based on what I've researched for the duration of anticipated storage (Nov-March), it seems that I can leave it sit with a full tank of high octane Amoco, a fresh oil change, some desiccant, and rags around the tail pipes.

Hope to start her up again in April when we get to the 40s. Course, if we get a weird day here and there say above 35 or so, I would start her up.

Looking forward to your inputs.

THanks -jeff

 

[PJay]

Hi Jeff,

Greetings from a fellow Milwaukeean!

I've done pretty much the same with my Vettes in the wintertime. From what I've read, starting the car occasionally is not recommended as it won't charge the battery, and can actually increase condensation. Instead, I've purchased a Battery Tender Plus float charger to keep the battery in shape. Also, I've read that wood blocks under each tire help reduce the chance of flat spots.

Good luck!

 

[jeff72]

Thanks for your input!

 

[KOPBET]

You probably are aware of the basics but I'll start with a few and others will add their opinions as well.

Change the oil and filter. Drive the car for 20-25 miles.
Check and double check the anti-freeze. Make sure it is sufficient for your area.
Check remaining fluid levels.
Clean the car.
Disconnect the battery.
Get a car cover.
Some folks recommend dessicant or charcoal briquettes inside the car to ward off excessive moisture.
Inflate tires to maximum or remove wheels from car all together and put on stands.
Silicone grease on rubber weatherstrip might be a good idea. Keep it off the paint.

There probably are others, I just can't think of them right now.

 

[Fishman]

There probably are others, I just can't think of them right now.

Hey Jeff... just do like I did, move from Sheboygan to Texas!

But boy... I sure miss the indoor winter pastime

 

[cruzer99]

All of the above and then move to Califorina where we drive our Vettes year round........

On a serious note.....Boaters have a little trick to keep moisture out of the closed up cabin of a boat during the winter months. They have a light bulb turned on, like 40 watts, on the inside of the cabin. This will keep the moisture level down.
Just a thought........

 

[jeff72]

Excellent advise Kopbet, i forgot about the silicone on the seals -didn't do that last Dec on my truck after a winter wash (I'm a Floridian, we are used to washing all year) and pulled the darn weatherstriping loose -thanks for the reminder.

Fishman, the local breweries here in WI are a beer lovers dream -believe it or not, we relocated from Florida (not for the beer though, that was an unexpected bonus). Needless to say, the winters here have been a learning experience, which is one of the reasons I'm seeking advise from folks who have already done this.

 

[jeff72]

Thanks Cruzer82,

I owned an 82 silvergreen/silvergreen in Florida (sold it when we moved here). Wish I had kept it....but doesn't every guy say that.

As for the light, excellent suggestion. I have a light weight car cover I keep on it, so not sure how to implement a light. But, interestingly and completely out of this forum, I do that in my dark, dank basement....it works !!

 

[Yoda]

Jeff,

Here are 2 articles that the "Boss" wrote last year or the year before (Boss being "Rob" )

1. Corvette Winter Storage
2. Tire Storage

Bud

 

[jeff72]

THanks Bud

 

[jeff72]

oil grade change

One other item on the subject of winter storage. The previous owner used 10W-30 but he had an insulated garage and started the car monthly. Temp inside around 40 deg all winter.

I thought that since my garage will be colder and i may or may not start it depending on if we see any warm days that i would switch over to 5W-30.

any thoughts on this?

 

[cruisin-davey-g]

Hello out there,

I've been reseaching high and low and read so many tips that I'm not 100% sure what is right when it comes to winter storage.....................

Hi Jeff: I live in Michigan & the winters are the same here as yours. I've been cold storaging vettes for the past 30 years & I can tell you that 4 months is not a very long time in terms of storage. A couple of things that I do that were not mentioned are to leave the tires on the car & take the weight off of them by putting the car on jack stands. Steel belted radials will get flat spots in them from sitting in one position for long periods of time. Also, do not let the suspension sag. place jack stands on suspension on all four corners. I spray something like WD 40 on alot of the moving parts to keep them lightly coated. Seems to work better than silicone for me. I also "fog" the cylinders & reinsert the plugs. Like the one post said & Unless your going to drive the vehicle, do not start it up & let it run to warm it up. This is hard on the engine parts, especially the bearings, not to mention getting condensation build up as the car cools down. A full gas tank is also recommended & using a product such as Stabul could be used. When I go to start up the vehicle in spring, I will "fog" the cylinders again & prime the motor & oil pump using a homemade primer out of an old distrubitor shaft & hooking it up to a good 1/2" drill spin the pump & pump oil to the motor before starting. This insures that the motor has oil on all of the internal parts. I have also done this oil procedure on motors that have been sitting for years & it really helps in reviving 'em & bringing them back to life. If you've got chrome on your vette, you can wax it just before storing or coat the chromed parts with a lightweight oil & clean it off just before starting the motor in spring. Hope this helps you out. Do the little things mentioned in this thread & your Vette should look & perform well year after year. Good luck.


Peace: Dave