Author Topic: Advice on long term storage  (Read 791 times)

Offline Cdnchallenger

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 313
Advice on long term storage
« on: April 03, 2012 - 08:56:23 AM »
I will be storing my car away in a corner of my garage for at least a few years. The engine is out of the car. Any advice as to things that I should be doing to the car while it is in hibernation?

Thanks in advance. :cheers:

Steve




Offline ViperMan

  • Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 3989
  • 2017 Carlisle or BUST...
    • JS Custom Cars
Re: Advice on long term storage
« Reply #1 on: April 03, 2012 - 09:16:04 AM »
Kinda depends on what you want to spend and how preventative you want to be.

You could go all out and get one of these - http://www.autosportcatalog.com/index.cfm?fa=p&pid=3962&sc=58446&adpos=1t1&creative=11114173878&pc=TERKHFHY&gclid=COK_nOHfmK8CFeYRNAodOlZ2ww

That'll prevent pretty much any rusting from moisture/condensation, and should also keep out rodents/bugs/pests...

At the least though you should probably remove the wheels so that the tires don't flat-spot - granted if the car is going to be sitting for a while, it'll probably need new tires before you get her out again anyways.  Put jack stands or blocks beneath each lower control arm - I seem to recall that you DON'T want to leave a car's suspension unloaded for extended periods of time.  I'd also remove the battery as A) you don't need it there and B) they can leak corrosive acid in rare-but-plausible scenarios.  Lastly I'd at least attempt to blow out all the coolant from the heater core, as it can deteriorate into sortuva sludge which could plug up and essentially ruin the core.

And of course you can cover it, but be careful what you cover it with, as covers can trap moisture, dirt, and other unwanted materials against the paint.  It can also cause scratching as it gets bumped/nudged/blown over the years, depending on what the cover is made of.  I typically don't cover my car during winter storage because it's no-big-deal to hose it off in the spring and she's good-as-new.

That's my  :2cents:...
2000 Dodge Viper GTS Coupe - 8.0L V10, 6-Speed Tremec
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited - Trail Rated - 4.7L V8, Auto
2010 Dodge Challenger SE Rallye - 3.5L V6, Auto (Wife's!)

Offline ted

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1043
  • 74 cuda, 70 challenger r/t
Re: Advice on long term storage
« Reply #2 on: April 03, 2012 - 01:15:57 PM »
WWW.carbag.com
74 cuda, 70 challenger r/t

Offline brads70

  • C-C.com Expert
  • ********
  • Posts: 18747
Re: Advice on long term storage
« Reply #3 on: April 03, 2012 - 02:19:28 PM »
Maybe remove the fuel and blow out the lines as well?  :sadwavey:
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline JayBee

  • Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 2477
Re: Advice on long term storage
« Reply #4 on: April 03, 2012 - 05:42:40 PM »
Do whatever you can to keep mice out of the interior and trunk. Some ideas are Bounce fabric softener sheets, Irish Spring soap shavings, charcoal under the car, and mouse traps.
John

1970 Barracuda convertible
2014 Toyota Avalon

Offline brads70

  • C-C.com Expert
  • ********
  • Posts: 18747
Re: Advice on long term storage
« Reply #5 on: April 03, 2012 - 06:27:52 PM »
Do whatever you can to keep mice out of the interior and trunk. Some ideas are Bounce fabric softener sheets, Irish Spring soap shavings, charcoal under the car, and mouse traps.
That didn't work in my other car. The mice ate the Irish Spring soap, then capped all over the place! :roflsmiley:
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline 72cudamaan

  • Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 3248
Re: Advice on long term storage
« Reply #6 on: April 03, 2012 - 06:36:36 PM »
That didn't work in my other car. The mice ate the Irish Spring soap, then capped all over the place! :roflsmiley:
But at least they can say " their sh%t dont stink  :clapping:
If I cant fix it, it's broke
 
Andy  (phukker whither)

Offline brads70

  • C-C.com Expert
  • ********
  • Posts: 18747
Re: Advice on long term storage
« Reply #7 on: April 03, 2012 - 09:19:24 PM »
But at least they can say " their sh%t dont stink  :clapping:

HAHA true! :roflsmiley: :2thumbs:   looks like it made them "regular" as well!
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0