Winter Storage Prep Advice

[LuvMyScamper]

Hi folks:

I live on the east coast of Canada and our winters are cold and snowy. Our '71 F-350 Scamper has been stored indoors every winter by the previous owner, and we want to continue to do this. The safety inspection runs out September 30, so we're going to put it away before then (it needs tail pipes for inspection and they're looooooooog!). I've got instructions on how to winterize the camper, but I'm wondering if anything special should be done with the truck before just parking it and leaving it for 8 months.

It's going to be stored in an roof-tight, unheated barn with concrete floor. Our neighbor said when he stores his antique car he always puts tarps down on the concrete then drives the car on top of them to block moisture from the concrete.

We're going to be bringing the batteries home so we can put them on a trickle charger when they need it.

Is there anything that should be done with the engine/tranny to prepare it for 8 months of inactivity? And what about starting it up for the first time when it comes out of storage?

Thanks for any advice.

Cindy

[Ranchero50]

My only real concern anymore is the Ethanol in fuel. Make sure you stabil it or drain it.

Naturally make sure you antifreeze is up to spec

If you have a tire that's leaking down, get it fixed so it doesn't go flat and dryrot.

A couple boxes of mouse poison under the truck should keep them from making a home in it too.

Jamie

[forrestbump]

Cindy, your neighbor's advice is great and all your other plans are great as well. Is it also possible for you to start your truck at least once a month? That helps a lot. If not, remove your spark plugs and squirt some motor oil in each cylinder, turn the motor over, without firing it up, pull the coil wire so it won't start, and your motor will be lubricated for storage.

I'd also remove the battery, store on a sheet of wood while it's attached to a trickle charger. Add a cup of denatured alcohol to each fuel tank as this will absorb moisture. You could also remove the carb, install it in a poly bag and set it upside down, but that's a little more than is necessary...kinda up to you.

[LuvMyScamper]

Thanks guys. So if we were able to start it each month and run it for a bit (maybe 15-20 mins?) the engine should stay lubed enough? It's not going to be far from home - 15 mins away probably. If we leave one battery in the truck (but disconnect it until we come to start it) would running the truck for 15-20-minutes be sufficient to keep the battery charged? It's a new battery too.

[70_F100]

Running it for only 15-20 minutes would probably do more harm than good, especially in your cold climate.

That would allow the engine to get warm, then when you turn it off, condensation will form inside. Next time you run it, you don't get it warm enough to evaporate the condensation, and when you turn it off, well, you guessed it. More condensation.

You're better off just storing it for the winter, as has already been discussed (oil in cylinders, etc). Only other thing I would recommend is to run it out of gas or drain the tank if it's going to be sitting for 8 months.

Just my

[LuvMyScamper]

Running it for only 15-20 minutes would probably do more harm than good, especially in your cold climate.

That would allow the engine to get warm, then when you turn it off, condensation will form inside. Next time you run it, you don't get it warm enough to evaporate the condensation, and when you turn it off, well, you guessed it. More condensation.

You're better off just storing it for the winter, as has already been discussed (oil in cylinders, etc). Only other thing I would recommend is to run it out of gas or drain the tank if it's going to be sitting for 8 months.

Just my

OK - glad I asked!

Now about the gas tank - it's got less than 1/4 tank in it right now. Couldn't we just use gas stabilizer, or is it better for the fuel system to run it completely dry?

[flyboy71]

Hi folks:

I live on the east coast of Canada and our winters are cold and snowy. Our '71 F-350 Scamper has been stored indoors every winter by the previous owner, and we want to continue to do this. The safety inspection runs out September 30, so we're going to put it away before then (it needs tail pipes for inspection and they're looooooooog!). I've got instructions on how to winterize the camper, but I'm wondering if anything special should be done with the truck before just parking it and leaving it for 8 months.

It's going to be stored in an roof-tight, unheated barn with concrete floor. Our neighbor said when he stores his antique car he always puts tarps down on the concrete then drives the car on top of them to block moisture from the concrete.

We're going to be bringing the batteries home so we can put them on a trickle charger when they need it.

Is there anything that should be done with the engine/tranny to prepare it for 8 months of inactivity? And what about starting it up for the first time when it comes out of storage?

Thanks for any advice.

Cindy

Cindy,

The bigger question I would have is what did the previous owner do? Did they give any info or can you contact them? I wouldnt do anything different than they did unless you fear the truck is starting to fade and you want to preserve it or do a better job of storing it. Indoor storage would be far less harsh than outdoor even with the 11 months of winter in Canada.

[hazelnut]

All good advice above. When i store my boat ill pull off the air cleaner and start it, rev up the engine to around 2,000 RPMs and start slowly pouring transmission fluid down the carb and slowly increasing the flow until the engine shuts off. Been doing this for 20 years.Takes about 15 seconds and smokes like crazy. I was told about this from a friend years ago, He worked for his dad that owned a marina and they had over a 100 boats that they stored for the winter. Some of the boats were well over 100k and he said they have never had any problems. Its been working good for me, When i start my boat in the spring it fires right up and only smokes for a few seconds burning off the excess.

[LuvMyScamper]

Cindy,

The bigger question I would have is what did the previous owner do? Did they give any info or can you contact them? I wouldnt do anything different than they did unless you fear the truck is starting to fade and you want to preserve it or do a better job of storing it. Indoor storage would be far less harsh than outdoor even with the 11 months of winter in Canada.

The man who owned it since 2000 passed away four years ago. I can contact his wife though (whom we bought the truck from) and ask her what he/she normally did for winter storage.

11 months of winter in Canada?? Come on now, we have four nice months of the year!

[michael69]

My only real concern anymore is the Ethanol in fuel. Make sure you stabil it or drain it.

Naturally make sure you antifreeze is up to spec

If you have a tire that's leaking down, get it fixed so it doesn't go flat and dryrot.

A couple boxes of mouse poison under the truck should keep them from making a home in it too.

Jamie

,but I would suggest using the green stabil for marine use. It is made just for ethanol fuel and has more cleaners in it. I use it in everything from truck, Harleys and lawn mowers and weed eaters.

[LuvMyScamper]

Thanks for all the tips everyone!

[jzjames]

Since this topic is up, here is an article for your review:
http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/winter.htm

[LuvMyScamper]

Since this topic is up, here is an article for your review:
http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/winter.htm

Great article! Thanks for posting that.

Cindy

[jzjames]

Great, hows the weather in Nova Scotia about now? Did you get some hurricane rains last month? My great grampy was born in Digby, I hope to visit some day.

[LuvMyScamper]

Great, hows the weather in Nova Scotia about now? Did you get some hurricane rains last month? My great grampy was born in Digby, I hope to visit some day.

The weather is actually beautiful right now - sunny and 27 degrees Celsius. Digby is a beautiful town, I've been there many times. Nothing better than a good feed of Digby scallops!

Cheers,
Cindy