Hi all, Well, it doesn't look like I'll be working on my mavericks any time soon and I'm worried about long term damage to the vehicles while they sit for the next three years or so. I realize prepping a car for long term storage is a lot different than just simple winter storage. Should I drain all fluids and completely remove the gas tanks (where possible)? Also should I pull the engines and take the heads off? None of my cars are remotely ready to rebuild yet and the engines will need to come out regardless. FYI, the cars are currently kept at 45 deg or higher in a garage and I live in Colorado (low humidity). However I've noticed the gas smell has become somewhat strong in the garage and I've taken to cracking the door and window to allow for ventilation. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Mike
If you drain the tanks,remove them and seal them or they will develope rust on the inside.(you will get condensation)Leave oil in the crank cases,dont drain it.(again condensation)Park the cars on top of a 10 mil tarp,this will keep moisture from attacking the chassis of your cars.Leave the windows open about 1/2 inch to allow ventilation.Partially hermetically sealing your cars for long term storage can be detrimental to their health.(dont cover them!!)They will get condensation on/in them,and trapping it is just as bad as leaving it out side for storage.Let em ventilate a bit from time to time.45 deg and mild to minimal humidity shouldnt hurt em as long as they can ventilate to dry out.Leave the trunk lids open too if you can.I have stored cars in garages that see buffalo winter temps/humidity for long periods and never had a problem.If you have good chrome on any of them,spray the chrome with Pledge furniture polish(dont wipe it)just spray it on and leave it,or coat the chrome with a good silicone wax(pledge is cheaper)As for engine internals/buy a bottle of lucas oil stabilizer and squirt some in the cyl bores and turn the engines a few times to coat the rings/bores,put the plugs back in and place a plastic bag over the top of the carb and cinch it tight with a rubber band to keep moisture/pests/bugs out this along with tires that are over filled about 10 psi should do you just fine.Good luck.Pete
on top of what mav man said you might want to get all 4 wheels off the ground with jack stands(not hydrolic) so the tires arent resting on the same spot.
