I would like some member input on setting a car up for storage. I have a couple classics including a '67 corvette. About 2 1/2 years ago, I began working overseas. Not knowing exactly how long I would be gone, I added fuel stabilizer, disconnected the batteries and put on battery tenders, put cars on jack stand to take the weight off the suspension, and have under cover and inside a locked garage. I did not expect to be gone this long, and have added additional fuel stabilizer and marvel mystery oil about 7 months ago. It now looks like I will be overseas for potentially a very long time - many more years, but want to keep the cars. I will be in the states again in a couple months and need to set these up for "indefinite" storage. As a minimum I assume I should drain all the fuel (and hope there is no varnish already in the carbs), and probably the radiators. I know there is oil additives that should have been cycled through the motors, but since the motors have already been sitting so long, I don't want to have to prep and lube them for start up now if I don't have to. I will put some cloths in the ends of the tail pipes to discourage any creature invasions, and the cars are pretty closed up and should not have any mice issues. It does not get real cold, maybe below freezing 6 or 7 days a year, but again they are inside a locked garage. Beyond this, I am open to all recommendations (except selling !!). Any advise will be appreciated. Thank you

 

In addition to draining the fuel I would remove the batteries, put some Mystery Oil into each cylinder and spray WD40 on the engine and around the engine compartment. I recently saw a 53 chevy truck that had been stored for over 45 years after being covered in 30wt oil. The result was really outstanding except that the paint had changed colors. After seeing that truck I would consider covering the frame and suspension with oil. I would not drain the radiator. M2C

 

Thanks M2C. The mystery oil in the cylinders is an excellent idea. as for the radiator, yeah, maybe it would prevent corrosion to keep the antifreeze solution in . Thanks again.

 

Make sure the spark plugs are put back in place. Had two cars one of which was a 67 vette in storage for just over 4 years (2002-2006) while overseas. Since the company I was working for was paying storage, I was limited in jacking up, etc.... Put baking soda boxes inside cars! Amazing where you can put mystery oil when a bottle of it is placed in a 1 gal. pump sprayer with one of those nice long wands.

 

Again, excellent ideas. I will take this advice as well. I knew that I would find some good help and experience on this forum.

 

Instead of cloth in the tailpipes, use steel wool. Critters won't mess with it, or so I'm told.

 

The biggest threat in long term storage will be critters. Lots of poison & traps in the storage area as well as plugging up openings in the car. I have heard of people using Irish Spring soap in the interior of the car and engine compartment to discourage mouse infestation.

 

... also use the steel wool in your intake to prevent critters from nesting.

A few more tips that may help...

*Change the oil and filter, clean oil is the best thing while leaving your car set for a long period of time.

*Remove the spark plugs, and spray a small amount of oil into the cylinders to prevent rusting, then insert the plugs again. The use of a spark plug anti-seize lubricant on the threads is always advisable, this will help prevent the threads from sticking.

*Fill the fuel tank, and add a gasoline stabilizer.

*Make sure your coolant is up to it proper level.

*Clean and wax your car. Be sure to wash under the car to remove any dirt, clean the interior extensively, especially food scraps and particles; these can attract small animals.

*Place a sheet of vapor barrier plastic under the car on the floor if being stored indoors. This will help prevent water vapor buildup in an unheated garage, and also makes it easy to spot fluid leaks when the car is removed from storage.

*Use a battery maintainer, and remove the battery attaching to the maintainer outside the car.

*Open/crack the window in the car slightly if stored indoors, but not enough to allow a small animal inside your interior.

*Release the parking brake. If the parking brake is left on, the brake pads can stick to the drums/rotors.

*Jack the car up on jack stands to avoid flat spots on the tires.

 

Works everytime. Also the oil on the suspension and frame is a great idea. I use Lubriplate Auto/Marine Guard in the aerosol cans and spray the engine too. It is a formulation that displaces water. I spray my entire engine each time I use my boat ( ocean environment) and no rust anywhere.

 

I don't know if this would be of help or not, but places that sell boats have giant pieces of shrink wrap that you could use to seal up the car like they do when they transport and store them. Just an idea I had, might keep it preserved as you left it.

 

No benefit in doing that, could possibly cause all the bushings to split.

 

Storing on suspension or off has been a long and often argued point which I am in no position of experience to contest.

However, if the car is stored "down" and on concrete, I have read suggestions to drive the car up and onto a large panel of exterior grade styrofoam house insulation, then raise the car up and put one or two more layers of styrofoam under each tire before lowering it back down.

This apparently minimizes flat spotting - which in this case is probably a moot point as regardess of their condition, the tires will be too old to be reused once the years have passed and these cars roll again.

I do like the idea of spraying everything with a lubricant - maybe even the wheel hubs and brake rotors?

 

If he had said raising the tiers off the ground, I wouldn't have bother posting, it's letting the suspension droop that cannot have any possible benefit.

 

In addition to what youv'e done, I'd make sure they were on plastic, not concrete, and fog the bottom side with some kind of light oil. But most importantly I would hire or get a trusted friend to fire them up every 3 or 4 months on the stands, and put them in gear so they get well lubed for a few secs, then let them warm up for like 15 minutes. Running them is always the best protection. Won't you be back for Christmas and holidays?

 

Don't ever jack up the car and leave the suspension unloaded when storing. ALWAYS keep the suspension loaded and the TIRES off the ground.

 

Thanks to all. Good advice, and I will put it to use. As a new member, I really appreciate the response.

 

for each car, purchase 4 pieces of 4'x 8' greenboard drywall and place under car. it protects your car from moisture, can be driven on for years without breaking, and is much better on the tires than a hard floor. if you have items such as chrome wheels spray WD40 on them.

 

Something to soak up the moisture. Frame can rust easily sitting on concrete. Wood and cardboard works.

Spray the frame down with oil as much as you can use will prevent rust. Also, get some rust anti corrosion on the electical parts.

 

Good thread

 

Great advice. Only difference,i would also drain the fuel,and definatly the coolant. Antifreeze is corrosive! I had a friend who was a curiator of museum cars,if they sat more than 5 years ALL FLUIDS WERE DRAINED!! He said sooner or later the full gas tank would gum up,so its better to unload it before..also coolant is corrosive,just drain it and [Dont flush] put cap back on. Best advice is completely remove batterys away from car. Give them away as they will be shot in a few years anyway. I Have 2 cars in Long term storage. My first car a 1977 Ford parked in 1998,and a 1987 fiero with 79 actual miles on it[not started since 1987] So I have some experience with storage. I stored my 91 C4 this way for 2 years,then this year I had no trouble firing it back up..1000 trouble free miles since.