QuestionI will be storing my '67 chevelle for the winter and need to know how to prepare it. It will be in an enclosed storage building, probably for 4 months. Not sure whether to start it every so often, jack it up to get tires off cement?.... I appreciate your help. Thanks
AnswerThere will be as many answers to this question as people you ask - everyone has a different idea.
The best thing for the car is to drive it for at least 5 miles every two weeks - if you do that, all you need to do is to be sure the gas tank is full each time you park it so as to minimize the air above the gas in the tank, which will help prevent the gas deteriorating and also prevent water condensing in the tank which will cause rust and corrosion in the fuel system.
If you cannot drive it for 4 months, there are a number of things you should do. Jacking it up is good for the tires, but you have to jack it in such a way that the springs are still compressed - this takes 4 jack stands, one under each end of the rear axle, and one under each side of the front suspension, as close to the inside of each front tire as you can place it. Release the parking brake once it is in the air.
It would be almost as good as driving it if you can start it every two weeks or so, and let it warm up thoroughly (run it for at least 15 minutes every time you start it) and since your wheels are off the ground, you can put it in gear and spin the rear tires - this circulates the lubricant in the transmission and the rear axle. Be sure the tank is full before you park it, for the reason given above. While the wheels are turning, step on the brake pedal a few times to exercise the brake hardware and keep the hydraulic system active.
If the car is going to be kept above freezing temperature, you don't have to remove the battery, but do disconnect one of the battery cables while it is parked to prevent the battery from discharging. You don't have to tighten the cable back up to start the engine, just push it down onto the battery post and as long as the battery and the cable end is clean, it will be OK to start and run the car that way.
If the car is going to be below freezing temperature, remove the battery and store it in a warm dry place - but bring the same battery back to the car when you are going to start it, so the battery is kept fully charged by running the engine.
You should change the oil and oil filter before you park it, and also change the coolant if that has not been done in the last 2 years. Use a 50-50 mixture of tap water and ethlyene glycol anti-freeze (Prestone or equivalent) in the cooling system. The chassis should be lubricated before you park it, also.
Be sure you open the building doors when you run the car!
Dick
