Corvette Winter Storage ?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
You mentioned moisture; many years ago I purchased a "Bag It". It's a non-breathable envelope style cover. It has zippers on three side. I do most of the things described above, unzip the bag, open it up and drive the car on it. It instructs you to put desiccant under the car and inside. I put a light cloth cover on first and zip it up. It come out as clean as it went in
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,453
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From: Midland Ontario
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
If it will get really cold for prolonged periods, you would do better to make sure the battery is fully charged, then remove it and place it somewhere in a warmer area. If you place it on a floor, make sure there is a non-conductive vapor barrier under the battery. If you want, you can put a battery tender on it there. Being unused in very cold weather is not good for the battery. Keep it above freezing (if you can) and charged up.
3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Tire Pressure
Lot's of great advice. What do you do about tire pressure - overinflate, underinflate, no change? Should I make semi-circle bloscks to nestle the tire during the Winters? At almost $500 a piece, the tires are precious. Getting cold in Michigan.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
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From: Ontario
Leave the pressures as per normal. Flatspotting goes back to the days of nylon cord, bias-ply tires. Long gone. You don't have to block them.
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From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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I top the gas tanks off, change the oil and wait for the first opportunity to drive if the roads are clear and dry. I've usually been able to sneak them out at least a couple of times a winter.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,112
From: Crossville TN
If you are able to drive it some during the winter, that would make a case for keeping the battery in the car and putting a battery tender on it....maybe even a battery warmer.
Driving the car to minimize 'dead' time is always good for the car--as long as you drive it far/long enough to get it up to normal operating temps and get all condensation out of the crankcase & pipes/mufflers. Keeping gas tank full will keep condensation minimized in the tank.
Driving the car to minimize 'dead' time is always good for the car--as long as you drive it far/long enough to get it up to normal operating temps and get all condensation out of the crankcase & pipes/mufflers. Keeping gas tank full will keep condensation minimized in the tank.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Innisfil Ontario
You mentioned moisture; many years ago I purchased a "Bag It". It's a non-breathable envelope style cover. It has zippers on three side. I do most of the things described above, unzip the bag, open it up and drive the car on it. It instructs you to put desiccant under the car and inside. I put a light cloth cover on first and zip it up. It come out as clean as it went in
Where do you get a large enough quantity of desiccant, all I can find are retail for small packs.
Thanks,
David
Last edited by adsvette; Sep 14, 2014 at 01:47 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Innisfil Ontario
I agree about the bag idea, I think the car has to be able to breath. I have a cheap CT dust cover that covers the Corvette right down to the wheels.
My garage is a temporary one, so called portable 12x24 ft. I have new tarps on the ground to reduce moisture as an added measure. We're on 12 feet deep sand here which gets very dry at the surface. My concerns for moisture may be overkill, but I would rather be on the safe side until I get through my first winter. After what we had last year who knows what it will be this year, it's unpredictable.
A lot of good points to consider.
Thanks,
David
Pro
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 535
Likes: 8
From: London Ontario
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Innisfil Ontario
Hi Guys;
Since we are on moisture related concerns, do any of you have electronic rust protection installed ?
We had one installed by our GM Dealer on our 2009 Buick Allure and it has worked very well.
Five years isn't a long enough bench mark, but is promising so far.
Thanks,
David
Since we are on moisture related concerns, do any of you have electronic rust protection installed ?
We had one installed by our GM Dealer on our 2009 Buick Allure and it has worked very well.
Five years isn't a long enough bench mark, but is promising so far.
Thanks,
David
Racer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 362
Likes: 11
From: MARSHALLVILLE OHIO
Here's my list
lube, oil, filter
wash & vacuum
Park on old carpet (my p/u tarp and carpet samples)
Fresh Cab in places you don't want critters. (available at JD dealers, maybe others)
winterize camper
bowl on league
square and round dance
that's my winter
lube, oil, filter
wash & vacuum
Park on old carpet (my p/u tarp and carpet samples)
Fresh Cab in places you don't want critters. (available at JD dealers, maybe others)
winterize camper
bowl on league
square and round dance
that's my winter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 9,412
Likes: 237
From: Powassan ON
Anybody disconnect the fuel line and run the carb dry of fuel? Or is stabilizer sufficient?
This is my first year for cold storage, car is usually heated, but have different stuff that needs heated this winter.
Check the coolant mix. Make sure it's good for -40 or so. Nobody likes a cracked block.
( now I've jinxed myself
)
Dodosmike
(Frost here this morning)
This is my first year for cold storage, car is usually heated, but have different stuff that needs heated this winter.
Check the coolant mix. Make sure it's good for -40 or so. Nobody likes a cracked block.
( now I've jinxed myself)Dodosmike
(Frost here this morning)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,453
Likes: 67
From: Midland Ontario
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Racer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 362
Likes: 11
From: MARSHALLVILLE OHIO
Anybody disconnect the fuel line and run the carb dry of fuel? Or is stabilizer sufficient?
This is my first year for cold storage, car is usually heated, but have different stuff that needs heated this winter.
Check the coolant mix. Make sure it's good for -40 or so. Nobody likes a cracked block. ( now I've jinxed myself)
Dodosmike
(Frost here this morning)
This is my first year for cold storage, car is usually heated, but have different stuff that needs heated this winter.
Check the coolant mix. Make sure it's good for -40 or so. Nobody likes a cracked block.
( now I've jinxed myself)Dodosmike
(Frost here this morning)
Racer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 254
Likes: 3
From: Tampa Bay Florida
Hi Guys;
Re: 1979 Corvette
What do you do to store your corvette in winter in a unheated garage ?
I'm in Ontario, Canada. January and February get very cold at times.
My main goal is to keep it dry and avoid possible freezing damage.
I'll make sure anti-freeze, other fluids, etc. are good.
Do you plug in a block heater ?
What about dampness, do you use a drying agent ?
Do you drain the Gas tank (or is that unnecessary) ?
Appreciate your thoughts.
Thanks,
David
Re: 1979 Corvette
What do you do to store your corvette in winter in a unheated garage ?
I'm in Ontario, Canada. January and February get very cold at times.
My main goal is to keep it dry and avoid possible freezing damage.
I'll make sure anti-freeze, other fluids, etc. are good.
Do you plug in a block heater ?
What about dampness, do you use a drying agent ?
Do you drain the Gas tank (or is that unnecessary) ?
Appreciate your thoughts.
Thanks,
David
Full gas tank with a shot of Sta-Bil, disconnect the neg. battery terminal, check your anti-freeze, oil and filter change in the spring and you should be good to go. Forget fogging the cylinders and all that nonsense.
