winter storage

[lloyd3]

What is the standard fare for you folks to get a car ready for it's long winter nap? Colorado winters aren't bad, but I really won't be getting it out again until early next May.  I normally just clean it off, throw some Stabil in the gas tank, run it for a bit to get some in the carb, and then shut it off and cover it.  Am I missing anything?

[War wagon]

I like to test the strength of the antifreeze and make sure it's strong enough to survive the cold here.
Put a trickle charger on the battery after disconnecting battery from cars wiring. ( forty plus yr old wires make me nervous lol)
Then I put her on jack stands to take the weight off the tires and suspension components. Flat spots suck 
Only other thing I do you already mentioned is put some stabil and run it for a few minutes

[Grm2159]

 Make sure you use the good stabilizer that's takes care of ethanol. Marine grade stabil or others out there. Today's gas sucks.

[Speedfreak]

As long as there is no snow, mine comes out.  These cars run better in the cold weather anyway, especially the Daytona with it's messed up cooling system ventilation.

Like was said, utmost importance is integrity of antifreeze coolant, those freeze out plugs rarely do their job as the name implies.

[Pete in NH]

As I understand it, what people often refer to as "freeze out plugs" are really core plugs as a result of casting the engine block or heads. They might pop out if the block freezes but that is not their real purpose.

I do think it's a good idea to keep a 50 /50 mix of antifreeze and water in the cooling system year round and change it every two or three years to keep its anti-corrosion properties fresh. It is a good idea to remove the battery and keep it in a warm place, charging it occasionally over the winter. Batteries left uncharged over the winter in a cold place may slowly self discharge and freeze. If they do freeze up it can buckle the plates internally. Also, you don't want the battery to sulfate from being discharged.

[1974dodgecharger]

move out to AZ no winter storage out there...problem solved. 

[VegasCharger]

move out to AZ no winter storage out there...problem solved. 

Or Las Vegas, NV for all that matter. Dry dry dry. LOL

[Rosco]

move out to AZ no winter storage out there...problem solved. 

Or Las Vegas, NV for all that matter. Dry dry dry. LOL

Or Australia...
An average winter week down here in Victoria is Cold - Very Cold - Cold - Cold - Warm - Hot - Cold.
So there's still 2 nice days every week, even in the middle of Winter! Works both ways though, there'll be freakin' sideways rain and lightning storms 1 or 2 days a week in the middle of Summer as well...

[74bluecharger440]

Last year I put the charger in a local barn, as I was really late and had little choice. I placed Bounce dryer sheets everywhere to keep mice out except the engine compartment. ( found mouse shit on inner fenders when I picked her up). This year  heated storage is happening , and the yearly, fuel stabilizer, battery charged and disconnected , on jack stands to get weight off tires and suspension , bounce sheets everywhere, and the car cover in place. Then I give her a big hug and tell her I will miss her for 3 or 4 months.

[Challenger340]

Fill the Gas Tank...less "Airspace" in the Tank = less "air" for the upper-end aeromatic hydrocarbons to crack off into before saturation.
Anti-Freeze up to strength
Battery charge & then dis-connect.
Bounce, feels so soft sheets, or similar Dryer sheets to ward off the critters

Guys with wumpum Camshafts and high valve spring loads....may wish to consider backing off the Rockers.....or at the very least...... rotating the Engine by hand about a half a turn every couple of weeks..... so as to change what Valve Springs are left compressed over time.

[4cruzin]

All good info but the only thing I do as well as what is mentioned is fog out the engine with proper fogging oil.  I use it on all my marine applications and also the 2 hot rods.  Like to coat the interior of the engine for the long winter months as I dont do much with it once it hits the storage place.