Storage Problem
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 233
Likes: 1
From: Parkersburg WV
Storage Problem
I have my 1984 Corvette in storage at a place without electric and one of the tires is getting low. The car is not running right now and the last time I hooked my battery up I couldn't get any juice. I'm probably going to get it towed soon to take it to a friend to get the head gaskets replaced. I'm wondering how to pump up this tire, can you do it with a hand pump (like an old bicycle pump)? Any suggestions?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,464
Likes: 3,288
From: Hartford WI
I have my 1984 Corvette in storage at a place without electric and one of the tires is getting low. The car is not running right now and the last time I hooked my battery up I couldn't get any juice. I'm probably going to get it towed soon to take it to a friend to get the head gaskets replaced. I'm wondering how to pump up this tire, can you do it with a hand pump (like an old bicycle pump)? Any suggestions?
Battery is probably dead if you hooked it up and can't get juice so get a new battery.
Hand pump is possible but more difficult. Get a portable inflator if you must but you are still going to need the battery.
An alternative is to Ghetto Engineer a battery to start it, pump the rear up with an air tank full of compressed air and move it up the trailer, remove battery and tow.
Racer
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 265
Likes: 21
From: Grand Rapids MI
Advance auto and probably most other part stores sell used and "shelf-expired" batteries at a significant discount. You can gage the condition of these visually (don't buy one covered in crud); they may not last as long as brand new, but I ran an aged Optima in my Colorado for four years of MI winters with no problems. Was probably 18 months past its sell-by date when I bought it, and the ride only ended when a collision totaled the truck 
A standard lead acid battery won't age as well as that AGM, but it should be cheap and more than adequate to get your car moved, and back on the road post-repairs. If you don't have a compressor you can borrow, pick up a cigar-lighter inflator while you're at the store--I'm pretty sure I've seen them for ~$20.
A standard lead acid battery won't age as well as that AGM, but it should be cheap and more than adequate to get your car moved, and back on the road post-repairs. If you don't have a compressor you can borrow, pick up a cigar-lighter inflator while you're at the store--I'm pretty sure I've seen them for ~$20.
Last edited by 84Z51J; Feb 4, 2016 at 09:27 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,183
Likes: 4,178
From: Kannapolis NC
Borrow or buy a cheap air tank. Pump up the tank and take it to the car. If you can't find friend with one, here are some at Harbor Freight:
http://www.harborfreight.com/catalog...ult?q=air+tank
http://www.harborfreight.com/catalog...ult?q=air+tank
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,771
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From: Rolla Missouri
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Borrow or buy a cheap air tank. Pump up the tank and take it to the car. If you can't find friend with one, here are some at Harbor Freight:
http://www.harborfreight.com/catalog...ult?q=air+tank
http://www.harborfreight.com/catalog...ult?q=air+tank
You will never get that tire up to pressure with a bicycle pump.
If you don't have electric at the unit, you need one of these.
Fill at your garage or service station before going to the storage unit.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 233
Likes: 1
From: Parkersburg WV
Thanks a lot. I will try to get electric back, I have recharged my battery, there is a real slow drain somewhere. It was weird, I had not been driving the car because of the cylinder head leak and I moved and had to put it into storage. I had the negative cable disconnected because of the drain and right before the tow truck came I hooked it back up to pop my hatch to put my car cover away. When I got to the storage unit I unhooked it again and the next time I tried it I had no electric. I will probably get a low profile jack and learn to jack this thing up. Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,692
Likes: 349
From: Sacramento California
I use a bike pump to adjust all my pressures, but I'm only adding 3-5 pounds at the most. If you are inflating a near-flat tire, a bike pump will still work but it's going to take a while. At least your arms and core will get a good workout Hahaheheeheha
Otherwise:
remove wheels with low tires, take to service station and air them, then reinstall.
OR
Small compressors are cheap -- check Harbor Freight.
Otherwise:
remove wheels with low tires, take to service station and air them, then reinstall.
OR
Small compressors are cheap -- check Harbor Freight.
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 243
Likes: 23
From: Vancouver WA
A good quality bike pump will most certainly pump up your tire. Bicycle tires run between 40 and 90 psi. Note that I said a quality bike pump, not one of those Walmart specials that will break easily. Good luck.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 243
Likes: 23
From: Vancouver WA
Bicyclists use quality pumps, some small enough to fit in a large pocket. Granted, it will take a while to pump up a car tire due to the volume, but it can be done in a pinch. Another option for the OP is a can of fix a flat, especially if the tire is to be replaced. I also believe there may be a CO2 cartridge device used by bicycle riders.