Tips for winter car storage?

I've always kept the GT6 in our main garage (attached) over the winter, but this year I dont' plan on driving it and want to have my 2nd bay for use in household projects (woodworking, etc).

So I moved the GT6 to the "shed" around back. I say "shed" because it's really a 1-car garage built on pilings (sloped yard) with a good double-plywood floor. It isn't climate controlled/insulated but is dry.

I moved the car in there and parked it over a huge plastic tarp (to keep any moisture from coming through the wood floor below). I closed it all up, unhooked the battery, put fuel stabilizer in the tank (about 1/4 full or so), and have a cover over it (breatheable). Car is up on 4 jackstands at frame points so off the tires.

I do plan to periodically go out there and run the engine every week or two.

Anything else I should be doing? Anything I'm doing sound wrong?

It would be better if the gas tank was full (less air space = less chance of condensation inside) but otherwise it should be okay. I would crack open a window to let air circulate inside. I wouldn't bother with running it every week or two, just let it sit until spring - it's hard to get the engine really warmed up if it's just idling in the garage, and it may cause more condensation issues in the exhaust system. Also, it won't do anything for the gearbox/differential/wheel bearings anyway, since the car isn't moving. I've been storing cars in the winter for more than 30 years now, with no issues letting them sit until spring.

Mechanically, it will be fine. The biggest potential danger is critters.

Stick some steel wool in the exhaust and air intakes and vent system intakes...keeps the critters out as a physical barrier, and they won't chew through the steel wool. Put some dryer sheets and mothballs in the interior to keep them out of there, too. Perhaps some mouse traps checked regularly around the car, as well, or search on the board and there have been a few good threads about how to trap/kill critters with some humanity (i.e. not glue traps).

Make sure the coolant has enough actual coolant V water so that it won't freeze. Perhaps change the oil to get all the dirty junk out of the sump where it will sit and corrode all winter.

stuart in mn wrote: It would be better if the gas tank was full (less air space = less chance of condensation inside) but otherwise it should be okay. I would crack open a window to let air circulate inside. I wouldn't bother with running it every week or two, just let it sit until spring - it's hard to get the engine really warmed up if it's just idling in the garage, and it may cause more condensation issues in the exhaust system. Also, it won't do anything for the gearbox/differential/wheel bearings anyway, since the car isn't moving. I've been storing cars in the winter for more than 30 years now, with no issues letting them sit until spring.

cool, well I'll take my 5-gallon tank to the gas station and fill up the tank more. My only worries about cracking the window is letting critters get inside, since we back up to woods and Alvin, Simon, and Theodore (and several buddies) live underneath the shed :)

Sonic wrote: Mechanically, it will be fine. The biggest potential danger is critters. Stick some steel wool in the exhaust and air intakes and vent system intakes...keeps the critters out as a physical barrier, and they won't chew through the steel wool. Put some dryer sheets and mothballs in the interior to keep them out of there, too. Perhaps some mouse traps checked regularly around the car, as well, or search on the board and there have been a few good threads about how to trap/kill critters with some humanity (i.e. not glue traps). Make sure the coolant has enough actual coolant V water so that it won't freeze. Perhaps change the oil to get all the dirty junk out of the sump where it will sit and corrode all winter.

forgot to mention that I have four cut-in-half soda bottles over the quad exhaust tips.

Trying to kill the critters would be a lost cause anyways. They have 40 acres of woodland to come from starting 10 feet from the shed!

I have K&N filters on the carbs so they shouldn't be able to chew through the metal mesh that holds the element in.

Well, if critters are a concern then it's probably best to leave the windows closed (plus any vents or dampers for the ventilation system and heater.) I stored a car one winter in a friends garage on a farm, and mice made a nest in the heater...that was fun to clean out. It would be a good idea to try to seal up any cracks or holes in the garage as well, as you can to minimize their infiltration.

stuart in mn wrote: Well, if critters are a concern then it's probably best to leave the windows closed (plus any vents or dampers for the ventilation system and heater.) I stored a car one winter in a friends garage on a farm, and mice made a nest in the heater...that was fun to clean out. It would be a good idea to try to seal up any cracks or holes in the garage as well, as you can to minimize their infiltration.

guess it's a good thing I removed the heater

Yeah, the garage is pretty well-sealed, but I can't be 100% sure since field mice can get in through some freakin tiiiiiiny holes. If anything, one of the old GT6 seats (ragged as hell) is just sitting on the floor in there, so if the critters need stuffing/insulation, they can take wht they want from it, lol.

I usually change the oil, add more anti-freeze so your pipes don't freeze then crack your lines. It is also a good idea to fill the car up with fuel then add your fuel stabilizer (Lucas, STP, GumOut) so that the fuel doesn't get water in it. Make sure to run the car after doing all this so the new fluids run through the car. If it snows, I would check for unpainted spots and put some primer on there just as a temporary fix so that spot doesn't rust. Keep your tires inside in a cool dry place that is away from a heat source. As said above, plug the exhaust with something (tennis ball, spray paint cap, etc.) Not only does this protect from critters, but also keeps water from creeping in the engine and causing some rust. If you do this your car should be good as long as you run it a few times a month like you said.

Steven

also put the trailer up

I'm going to leave the tires on the car - would it be a good idea to bag them in some trash bags while they're on there? I don't want to make space in the main garage for them. Already have 3 sets of wheels/tires in there

Nah, just leave them on the car, and check them every so often to make sure they aren't going flat. In a dark garage they won't suffer any deterioration, and with modern tires flatspotting really isn't a problem.

stuart in mn wrote: Nah, just leave them on the car, and check them every so often to make sure they aren't going flat. In a dark garage they won't suffer any deterioration, and with modern tires flatspotting really isn't a problem.

plus the car is up on stands anyhow, so that's not an issue.

hardware store will sell rubber expansion plugs with wing nuts for the exhaust. Use a rag in the intake to the air cleaner. then put steel wool after the rag. Mice don't like steel wool and will not get to the rag. Under the hood and in the trunk wet cotton balls with REAL peppermint oil put in the corners and glove box. Mice don't like peppermint as well.

For long term fog the motor with boat motor fogging oil and then pull the spark plug and install desiccant plugs in there place. (guy in Hemming' sells them)

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what i do:

step one - park it in someone else's garage with whatever amount of gas is left when i get there.

step two - forget about it until april

step three - go back and get it when the weather gets nice.

took my 54 to the FIL's house today. had a nice fun ride there, passed some kids in a prius driving like they were hypermiling while their heads all snapped as i went by, parked it in his heated attached garage, and flipped my kill switch. i'll change the oil in the spring when i get it home. the chevelle is going to my cousin's house this week, and i need to get the vette inside my garage so i can work on it over the winter.