Please help me "winterize" my car

L316 · 10-28-2007, 09:47 AM

What should I do to prepare my car/engine/drivetrain etc. for the 5 month layoff during the offseason? It will be stored in a heated shop, so I guess that is a good start.

G Schenck · 10-28-2007, 12:16 PM

Bring it down to New Orleans and I'll race it the five months.

Greg

Jason Oldfield · 10-28-2007, 05:48 PM

Boy...in a heated shop? Let's see:

1. Back off the valves so that some of the valve springs don't sit compressed in the same position for 5 months straight
2. In addition to covering the carb, I guess you could stick a couple of rags in the end of the collectors as well to keep any critters out of there.
3. Put the car on jack stands so that the tires aren't sitting in the same spot (if the shop weren't heated and the slicks were still pretty new, you're probably want to remove them and bring them inside)
4. Maybe disconnect the ground to the battery too, though if you shut the master cutoff switch off, I'm not sure that's even necessary
5. Drain the fuel out of the bowls of the carb, and fog it (though I just drain the fuel out of the bowls)
6. Drain the fuel out of the fuel cell, lines, pump(s), and filter(s)...though I know this is the RIGHT thing to do, I can't say that I ever do this...
7. Drain the oil - I can't confirm this but I've read that it's not good to let the crank sit in stationary oil for a long period of time

Um....I'm out of ideas...anybody else have any?

dak · 10-29-2007, 07:49 PM

I do all the above except the heated garage...Also, before we close everything up we get the car hot @ 190 let it sit there for a bit to get rid of any moisture and pour Marvel Mystery Lube down the carb. after a minute of so pour it faster until the motor stalls.. I got it from a S/Stock racer.. I have also seen guys use tranny fluid....makes everything pink.

nshivgator · 10-31-2007, 05:05 PM

Best advice! Take the engine out! Take it apart freshen it up for next year or buy one of those 732ci, $30,000 Big block Chevy. Don't forget to take trans apart. This way you will be ready to race next year! Oh I forgot. Buy a diaper for the engine and box of Tissue for yourself. You'll need it after getting the bill! Have a good / safe off season from The Jersey Gator.

L316 · 10-31-2007, 09:10 PM

Thanks for the help guys! I got a bunch of ideas that I never thought of. As for the 732, I will probably have to go buy some lotto tickets first.

Mark Schmidt · 11-09-2007, 10:19 AM

Don't forget the battery tender and an additive for the water.

NORMAN BARNARD · 11-09-2007, 11:32 PM

Hey Mark, How You Doing??? To Answer The Mans Question Honestly, "move South" And Run Year Round And Not Worry........norm

Jeff Beckman · 11-10-2007, 11:28 AM

Stahl the carb out with WD40, it keeps all the rubber seals good and is the best corrosion protection. Jeff B

don R · 11-11-2007, 10:14 PM

I don't like to let the fuel pump sit dry, I have had the seal go out first thing in spring after letting it dry out. I get it nice and warm and drain the water. New tires go in bags and store in a cool dry place.

10-28-2007, 09:47 AM	#1
L316 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Columbia City, IN Posts: 16 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Please help me "winterize" my car What should I do to prepare my car/engine/drivetrain etc. for the 5 month layoff during the offseason? It will be stored in a heated shop, so I guess that is a good start.

10-28-2007, 12:16 PM	#2
G Schenck Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Harahan, La. Posts: 521 Likes: 41 Liked 81 Times in 35 Posts	Re: Please help me "winterize" my car Bring it down to New Orleans and I'll race it the five months. Greg

10-28-2007, 05:48 PM	#3
Jason Oldfield Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 619 Likes: 1 Liked 10 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Please help me "winterize" my car Boy...in a heated shop? Let's see: 1. Back off the valves so that some of the valve springs don't sit compressed in the same position for 5 months straight 2. In addition to covering the carb, I guess you could stick a couple of rags in the end of the collectors as well to keep any critters out of there. 3. Put the car on jack stands so that the tires aren't sitting in the same spot (if the shop weren't heated and the slicks were still pretty new, you're probably want to remove them and bring them inside) 4. Maybe disconnect the ground to the battery too, though if you shut the master cutoff switch off, I'm not sure that's even necessary 5. Drain the fuel out of the bowls of the carb, and fog it (though I just drain the fuel out of the bowls) 6. Drain the fuel out of the fuel cell, lines, pump(s), and filter(s)...though I know this is the RIGHT thing to do, I can't say that I ever do this... 7. Drain the oil - I can't confirm this but I've read that it's not good to let the crank sit in stationary oil for a long period of time Um....I'm out of ideas...anybody else have any? __________________ Jason Oldfield S/G & S/St 1838

10-29-2007, 07:49 PM	#4
dak Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: west coast Posts: 26 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Please help me "winterize" my car I do all the above except the heated garage...Also, before we close everything up we get the car hot @ 190 let it sit there for a bit to get rid of any moisture and pour Marvel Mystery Lube down the carb. after a minute of so pour it faster until the motor stalls.. I got it from a S/Stock racer.. I have also seen guys use tranny fluid....makes everything pink.

10-31-2007, 05:05 PM	#5
nshivgator Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 34 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Please help me "winterize" my car Best advice! Take the engine out! Take it apart freshen it up for next year or buy one of those 732ci, $30,000 Big block Chevy. Don't forget to take trans apart. This way you will be ready to race next year! Oh I forgot. Buy a diaper for the engine and box of Tissue for yourself. You'll need it after getting the bill! Have a good / safe off season from The Jersey Gator.

10-31-2007, 09:10 PM	#6
L316 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Columbia City, IN Posts: 16 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Please help me "winterize" my car Thanks for the help guys! I got a bunch of ideas that I never thought of. As for the 732, I will probably have to go buy some lotto tickets first.

11-09-2007, 10:19 AM	#7
Mark Schmidt Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 273 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Please help me "winterize" my car Don't forget the battery tender and an additive for the water. __________________ MDS Motorsports

11-09-2007, 11:32 PM	#8
NORMAN BARNARD Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: EL PASO, TEXAS Posts: 156 Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Please help me "winterize" my car Hey Mark, How You Doing??? To Answer The Mans Question Honestly, "move South" And Run Year Round And Not Worry........norm

11-10-2007, 11:28 AM	#9
Jeff Beckman Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 308 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Please help me "winterize" my car Stahl the carb out with WD40, it keeps all the rubber seals good and is the best corrosion protection. Jeff B

11-11-2007, 10:14 PM	#10
don R Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 109 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Please help me "winterize" my car I don't like to let the fuel pump sit dry, I have had the seal go out first thing in spring after letting it dry out. I get it nice and warm and drain the water. New tires go in bags and store in a cool dry place.