C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
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Old Oct 26, 2004 | 04:56 PM
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My first winter is upcoming. Plans are in the works for indoor storage - unfortunately not the heated variety. Anything necessary beyond pulling the battery, fogging engine, fresh anti-freeze, and full gas tank? Is it a good or bad idea to crank it up every so often during the 'dark' months? Or, does fogging make this unnecessary? I know all of this has been asked many times before - so maybe someone can point me to a thread - Thanx!!!

Last edited by Spirit76; Oct 27, 2004 at 10:48 PM.
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Old Oct 26, 2004 | 05:05 PM
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I think starting it up every now and then leaves a lot of moisture setting in your exhaust which can cause damage. Mine starts right up in the spring after enduring some pretty harsh winters.
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Old Oct 26, 2004 | 05:21 PM
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fuel stabilizer and how are you keeping rodents away?????
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Old Oct 26, 2004 | 08:16 PM
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I have been told to place laundry dryer sheets in there....that it repels rodents who do not like the smell and leaves a nice fresh smell for spring. Any other suggestions? Being a rookie, I am open to all advice.
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Old Oct 26, 2004 | 09:18 PM
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You can do what I plan on doing to protect the interior....

..remove it and reinstall before spring with new stuff
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Old Oct 26, 2004 | 11:14 PM
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Cmon dude. You live in southern TN. You don't have to hibernate your car.

Brett
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Old Oct 26, 2004 | 11:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Brettmc
Cmon dude. You live in southern TN. You don't have to hibernate your car.

Brett

Took the words out of my mouth!

Come to Maine this January and you'll see why!

Last edited by 45ACP; Oct 26, 2004 at 11:29 PM.
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Old Oct 27, 2004 | 01:29 AM
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Originally Posted by Brettmc
Cmon dude. You live in southern TN. You don't have to hibernate your car.

Brett
True, most of the time. If left out, what do you suggest, just cover it? I got a lot of older trees around me. All I need is one slight coat of ice and limbs fall everywhere. Don't need one turning my coupes into convertibles.
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Old Oct 27, 2004 | 09:24 AM
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I keep mine in my garage and drive it year-round. Just do that. If ya gotta leave it outside, I'd cover it up good before one of those infrequent snow/ice storms. And for darn sure don't park under any trees. I've got many large oak trees on my acreage and they are ALWAYS dropping limbs. Where were you talking about storing it?

Brett
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Old Oct 27, 2004 | 10:19 AM
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Here in PA, it gets to about 30 degrees during the day, so I start the car every three weeks and warm it up for close to 3/4 of an hour. I'm not sure what's best.
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Old Oct 27, 2004 | 11:49 AM
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Originally Posted by Brettmc
I keep mine in my garage and drive it year-round. Just do that. If ya gotta leave it outside, I'd cover it up good before one of those infrequent snow/ice storms. And for darn sure don't park under any trees. I've got many large oak trees on my acreage and they are ALWAYS dropping limbs. Where were you talking about storing it?

Brett
I have a garage and that is where it has been all the warm season. However, wifee-poo says it cannot stay in there during the winter because of reasons too numerous and ponderous to mention here. Now, I have gone and bought a second C3 that she is not wholly aware of as yet. It is possible to keep the lesser condition Vette beside the garage & covered up - and not directly under a tree in that spot. But, the better of the two C3s really needs to be indoors. So, I have been looking into 10x20 storage units in secure storage spots near my home. When I get the '77 in here from CA, I want to take it directly to the unit for the winter...and, 'surprise' my wife in the spring. Well, at least it will provide me with more time to find another home if she changes the locks! Anyhow, you can now see my multi-fold purpose for storage: first, for the preservation of at least one if not both of my Vettes - and second, for preservation of my hide.
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Old Oct 27, 2004 | 12:54 PM
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Sounds like you need to keep the nice C3 in the garage and put the wife outside!!

Brett
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Old Oct 27, 2004 | 02:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Brettmc
Sounds like you need to keep the nice C3 in the garage and put the wife outside!!

Brett
I think you make an excellent point and one in which I will give serious consideration. The only problem is that I am so outnumbered gender-wise in my home. The wife has more friends & stronger alliances that myself within the castle walls. It would be difficult to put her outside without using cold blue steel force to push the allies out there as well. I have 2 daughters, 2 female cats, 1 female dog.....all are noisy, high maintenance, and demanding. If all were placed outside, the police would soon be at my door for disturbing the peace! Also, I have one male cat - thus leaving the males outnumbered 6-2 in the friendly confines. We don't stand much of a chance. That's why I bought the Vettes....to get away from it all! I hope we don't have much winter or I will be practically insane by spring not being able to take get away rides.
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Old Oct 27, 2004 | 03:11 PM
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You should cover exhaust pipes with plastic bags, Put a bag over carb and crank breather if you have one. I put moth ***** inside as well as desicant to keep out moisture. Spray down all exposed chrome with WD-40 including rims. This will stop any pitting or corosion. I do not start my car till spring. My $0.02
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Old Oct 27, 2004 | 04:12 PM
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Originally Posted by killain
Here in PA, it gets to about 30 degrees during the day, so I start the car every three weeks and warm it up for close to 3/4 of an hour. I'm not sure what's best.
Our NW Ohio weather is about the same. I also start the car every 3-4 weeks and let warm up. I also use gas stabilizer.
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Old Oct 27, 2004 | 05:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Spirit76
...I have 2 daughters, 2 female cats, 1 female dog.....all are noisy, high maintenance, and demanding...
You must be very wealthy to have any cash left over for the 'vettes.

Here in Minnesota it gets cold. The kind of cold that hurts any exposed skin. I would never consider leaving anything outside. Though thinking about it, the cryogenic nap every winter saves on wear and tear.

I forgot, I also throw several pouches of mice poison in the car, in the engine bay and around the garage. I don't have mice in the house but in the spring I have found chewed open pouches.
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Old Oct 27, 2004 | 05:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Spirit76
I have been told to place laundry dryer sheets in there....that it repels rodents who do not like the smell and leaves a nice fresh smell for spring. Any other suggestions? Being a rookie, I am open to all advice.
Better put some DCON in the passenger compartment and under the hood. Those critters get into everything.

Covering the exhaust tips isn't a bad idea either. I fired up my Harley one Spring and a huge cloud of sunflower seeds came shooting out of one of the pipes.

Get a trickle charger with an auto shutoff for the battery too. If you leave the battery for a few months the cells tend to deteriorate and the battery might quit at random time.

Rick B.
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Old Oct 27, 2004 | 09:44 PM
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It gets pretty darn cold in Columbus, Ohio also!!!!
I'm no stranger to winter!!!!
Clear Silicon spray on door weatherstrip keeps doors from freezing shut.
Fill-up with Quality fuel it will be ok for a few months.
Irish spring soap keeps the rodents away.... Cut a bar up & put it under the hood and inside the car.
put a Battery Tender on your car & remove the Clock fuse or remove it & store it in a warm place (not around the water heater or furnace)
An old friend of mine showed me a trick he uses on cars he stores for YEARS.... Air cleaner removed he has someone rev the engine to 3-4K & shut the Ignition off... While the engine is reving down he opens the throttle & spray's WD40 ito the carb. then he coats the engine with the rest of the can. Then he removes the valve covers & loosens the rocker lock nuts & removes the battery then he apply's past wax to the paint & leaves it on. This is in a climate controlled 12 car garage with mouse traps and cats everywhere!!!
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Old Oct 27, 2004 | 10:45 PM
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Originally Posted by 70_Shark
You must be very wealthy to have any cash left over for the 'vettes.

Here in Minnesota it gets cold. The kind of cold that hurts any exposed skin. I would never consider leaving anything outside. Though thinking about it, the cryogenic nap every winter saves on wear and tear.

I forgot, I also throw several pouches of mice poison in the car, in the engine bay and around the garage. I don't have mice in the house but in the spring I have found chewed open pouches.
OH No, not at all...just got a couple of mid-70s C3s which are about the lowest priced around right now. Had no intention of getting the second one but a sweet one crossed my path at right price so I got emotional and impulsive...a bad habit especially in the world of Vettes. I am trying to sell the first one locally but a little late in the year for that now. I am sure when my wife is made aware of the second, one is going to have to go quick come spring. That's OK though, one is hard enough to care for properly with my budget...two would be nearly impossible. I am lucky in that the second one needs virtually nothing right now except a door panel and that is purely cosmetic. I am sure glad I asked the questions, never thought about the rodent problems....and the way it now looks, I will have to get 2 Vettes winterized instead of one. I do get myself into some corners, that's for sure. But, I reckon it could be worse....women on the side instead of cars though my wife feels like the Vette is a mistress!
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Old Oct 28, 2004 | 07:05 PM
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I will be useing "Sta-Dri Moisture Protection Kit" you can buy the kit through Mid-America. They are bags that have some kind of moisture sucking stuff in them and it keeps your car dry.
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