Topic: Q: Looking for advice on longer term Lemons car storage
Normally, we only race in Lemons once a year but I'm planning to take another year off so I have a while before I need to use my tbird again. I MIGHT use it in 6 months for a track day but there's no guarantee there. Therefore, I'd like to solicit advice on how you guys store your cars for the long term.
Physical:
- My car is on my one car garage in SF and I have no reason to move it until I'm ready to race again. I know some of you store your cars outside so being able to move it is a plus. SF doesn't get really hot or cold either. If necessary, I have a winch setup in the basement so I can always roll the car back and winch it in place if need be. Also, if we want fritos, we'll just buy them at the store (like eveyrone else) instead of relying on the tbird to make them.
- Battery itself is on a tender. It might die in the next year or so and I can always switch it out under auto shop warranty (will probably only feel a little guilty about this).
- Tires: I don't necessarily care about the tires. They are super worn out (Nitto NT05s) so I'm not sure I'll get much selling them. I won't buy a new set until 2020 when we race again. I COULD keep my car on jacks but since i live in SF, I probably don't want to worry about them falling off in the event of an earthquake.
Gasoline
- My last driver ran it practically empty (to nearly fuel cut). I went ahead and dumped a bottle of HEET into the tank (good for 1 yr) just to be safe. Q: Should I fill the tank full (knowing I won't use it for 2 years and the gas treatment is "guaranteed" for 1yr), worry about rust on the fuel pump since it'll be "dry", or drain it even further by popping the fuel line off and letting the pump pump itself dry.
Water & Oil
- I'm going to have to drain the water & oil to fix some hydraulic lifters anyway.
Q: Do I leave the engine dry or replace the oil?
Q: Do I leave the cooling system dry or replace it with antifreeze?
- I will be sure to put notes on the starter button and the oil/water to remind me to not start the car without oil/water.
- I do have a sacrificial anode in the radiator but considering there are like 3-4 metals (iron, bronze, aluminum), i'm sure there's going to be some electrolysis in the system that wouldn't happen. Then again, would the various gaskets deteriorate without any fluid? I dunno.
Q: Is there anything else I missed here?
Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
-g
2017 Sears Pointless Organizer’s Choice
Frito Making Tbird from 2018 Sears Pointless Engine Heat BBQ - http://goo.gl/csaet4