Storage Question....
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,609
Likes: 1
From: Behind the wheel of a large automobile
Storage Question....
I've found a place to store my baby this winter but I have a question for you. Normally I fog the engine, remove the battery, lift her off the ground, cover her up and other than a few other details, leave her to sleep till spring. This new place I'll be using doesn't want the car jacked up (fire regs, has to be able to move / roll vehicle out in case of fire) I've heard of some guys "over inflating" the tires and others that just roll the vehicle occassionally to avoid flat spots. Any advice here?? :confused:
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 2
From: St. Louis, Missouri
Re: Storage Question.... (75Rag)
I've read that modern tires don't flat spot (don't know if that's true). Also, during the storage period, could you get to the car in mid-season and maybe move the car forward or backward about a foot? I think that a car has to be in one place for a long time for the tires to get flat spots.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 10
From: Sault Ste Marie Ontario
Re: Storage Question.... (75Rag)
New tires do not have the same problems as older tires. If you are woried just put 4 small pieces of plywood down and then roll the car up on these. The car will still be moveable in case of fire but not sitting on the concrete. Good luck my 0.02$ :cheers:
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Re: Storage Question.... (Sleper)
New tires do not have the same problems as older tires. If you are woried just put 4 small pieces of plywood down and then roll the car up on these. The car will still be moveable in case of fire but not sitting on the concrete. Good luck my 0.02$ :cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,103
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
Re: Storage Question.... (Sleper)
I like the idea of putting a set of cheap tires (rims optioal) on the car.
If my memory serves me, they make a dolly system that consist sof 4 dollies (one per tire) that are mounted on casters. Lift the car, shove em under a tire and repeat. The tire should be cradled in these so they don't place all of the car's weight on the bottom of the tire. They also allow the car to be wheeled around as necessary.
If my memory serves me, they make a dolly system that consist sof 4 dollies (one per tire) that are mounted on casters. Lift the car, shove em under a tire and repeat. The tire should be cradled in these so they don't place all of the car's weight on the bottom of the tire. They also allow the car to be wheeled around as necessary.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 2
From: St. Louis, Missouri
Re: Storage Question.... (Mike Ward)
New tires do not have the same problems as older tires. If you are woried just put 4 small pieces of plywood down and then roll the car up on these. The car will still be moveable in case of fire but not sitting on the concrete. Good luck my 0.02$ :cheers:
What's the problem with tires sitting on concrete? (please don't claim that they'll 'rot', that's an old wives tale.)
What's the problem with tires sitting on concrete? (please don't claim that they'll 'rot', that's an old wives tale.)
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Re: Storage Question.... (Neo Fender)
I don't believe the issue is the actual surface that the tire is on. Supposedly, with the weight concentrated on one area of the tire for an extended period, the tire(s) will develop a flat spot. This is suposedly the case regardless of whether the surface is concrete, plywood or whatever.
Modern radials couldn't care less.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,161
Likes: 0
From: Easton PA
Re: Storage Question.... (RoyArms)
Modern tires do not flat spot. That was a problem before radials with the fibergalss belted tires. You should be OK. Mine sat in my garage for about a year on the tires and I had no probelms. And I didn't move it at all
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,062
Likes: 1,360
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Re: Storage Question.... (75Rag)
If it is an unheated area with a concrete floor, I would be very worried about frame rust.
Why, you ask!!!
Well, picture a cold night (sounds like a twilight zone story), the concrete floor cools well below freezing. The next day, a sunny one, the air heats up in the storage area. The floor is still very, very cold.
This will cause much condensation to form on the metal parts under the car.
It will keep those metal parts wet until the concrete reaches near the temperature of the air.
Repete this several times during the winter and you have a wet frame for much of the time.
Put plywood, or even better, styrofoam between the car and the floor.
This will prevent the condensation.
In a drier climate, this is not an issue.
As for tires, not a problem with today's tires. As mentioned, they don't flatspot.
Why, you ask!!!
Well, picture a cold night (sounds like a twilight zone story), the concrete floor cools well below freezing. The next day, a sunny one, the air heats up in the storage area. The floor is still very, very cold.
This will cause much condensation to form on the metal parts under the car.
It will keep those metal parts wet until the concrete reaches near the temperature of the air.
Repete this several times during the winter and you have a wet frame for much of the time.
Put plywood, or even better, styrofoam between the car and the floor.
This will prevent the condensation.
In a drier climate, this is not an issue.
As for tires, not a problem with today's tires. As mentioned, they don't flatspot.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: Storage Question.... (Barry's70LT1)
When I stored my corvette on a concrete floor I worried also about condensation and would put a couple of old rugs down first then park on top of them. I think it is a good idea if they let you cover the floor under the vet or at least added the styrofoam as mentioned.
As for the tires I never noticed any flat spotting over a winter.
As for the tires I never noticed any flat spotting over a winter.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,720
Likes: 106
From: Canada
Re: Storage Question.... (Barry's70LT1)
I agree with Barry, have stored the vette in my garage at home for 4 years now, just had some plywood and tar paper(indoor house wrap for bsmt) underneath to keep moisture levels down, no frame rust. Once a month I go out and start her for about 20 - 25 minutes. Come spring change the oil and good to go. Previous owner did the same thing for 20 some odd years.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 334
Likes: 1
From: Averill Park N.Y.
Re: Storage Question.... (75Rag)
In your post you mention that you "fog the engine". Please explain.
I have been looking for the proper way to store my new engine for the winter.
I've heard the term before, but I don't know what is required or where to get it from. Thanks
:confused:
I have been looking for the proper way to store my new engine for the winter.
I've heard the term before, but I don't know what is required or where to get it from. Thanks
:confused:
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,609
Likes: 1
From: Behind the wheel of a large automobile
Re: Storage Question.... (Ken74Conv)
With someone keeping the engine running about 1500 - 2000 rpm, I spray storage oil into the carb barrel. (It'l try to stall out on you... keep it running until you have spayed enough in as per directions on the can) It's a very lightweight oil and it is intended to coat all your combustion chamber and valve head parts. Helps prevent any damage from condensation. I also cover the carb opening and stuff rags in the tail pipes. It's a good idea to change out your oil prior to storage as well, and make certain you fill the fuel tank and add stabilizer. Any auto parts store should carry the stuff (stabilizer and storage oil)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,062
Likes: 1,360
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Re: Storage Question.... (Ken74Conv)
I use fogging oil. In Canada it's available at the Canadian Tire Store under their own label. They call it "Engine Storage Spray".
This is a common practice for marine engines. Any marine supply store should know what you are talking about and have the product.
You can always use a can of light oil and pour that down the carb.
HOWEVER, I have seen this cause a disaster in the past.
If you pour a bit too much, then you hydraulic the engine and bend a connecting rod.
With the spray, you cannot spray too much into the engine. (As long as the engine is still running)
This is a common practice for marine engines. Any marine supply store should know what you are talking about and have the product.
You can always use a can of light oil and pour that down the carb.
HOWEVER, I have seen this cause a disaster in the past.
If you pour a bit too much, then you hydraulic the engine and bend a connecting rod.
With the spray, you cannot spray too much into the engine. (As long as the engine is still running)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,720
Likes: 106
From: Canada
Re: Storage Question.... (Ken74Conv)
Ken that is one beautiful vert. that you have, what paint code is it? Will be stripping and painting mine this winter, also put a canvas top w/glass window in.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,245
Likes: 4
Re: Storage Question.... (gdh)
Ken,
Nice shine!!!
gdh,
My painter came by on Monday to discuss the body/paint portion of the project. He convinced me to forget about manually stripping the car. It's going into his shop for soda blasting.
Nice shine!!!
gdh,
My painter came by on Monday to discuss the body/paint portion of the project. He convinced me to forget about manually stripping the car. It's going into his shop for soda blasting.