Storing in the winter (Page 1/1)
earlpote SEP 03, 07:42 PM
Hello,

I am the recent owner of an 88 formula with 13k miles in immaculate, like new condition. Its a california car originally and the previous owner was from north carolina. I live near chicago so it obviously gets very cold. My question is, since this car is in showroom condition with original rubber, moldings, etc (even the tires are the original gt+4’s and look new, i dont take it on the highway so dont worry) should i consider storing it in a heated garage? Im worried cause the car has never seen cold weather. Thanks
earlpote SEP 03, 07:43 PM
Also note that it is garage kept obviously but it is a detached garage.
Mike in Sydney SEP 03, 09:05 PM
EXTERIOR:
Keep it warm (above freezing) & dry. Use a breathable car cover with a fleece inner liner to keep dust off of the finish. Wash and wax before covering and think about using a rubber dressing on all rubber parts. If you have a rodent free garage I suggest that you open the sun roof and leave it up . This should keep the weather strips from compressing. Vacuum the carpets and interior really well and clean the windows with isopropyl alcohol. It's great for cutting through the haze that comes from plastics in the interior. Stay away from Armour-all or other similar products. I find they attract dust.

ENGINE:
Check your fluids and top up if needed. Replace the fluids when you take it out of storage next spring.

TIRES:
Keep your GT-4's from flat-spotting by putting the car up on jack stands. Inflate them to the proper pressure before storage and check the pressure before using it in the spring.

BATTERY:
Remove the battery and keep it on a battery tender across the winter. Make sue that you top up the cells with distilled water. (Even maintenance free lead-acid batteries have fill caps . They are usually hidden by a plastic cover.)

Good luck. I've spent time in Chicago in Lisle and Downer's Grove in the winter. Bloody cold for a boy raised in the south ;-D

------------------
Mike in Sydney

fierosound SEP 05, 09:56 AM
I keep both my cars in an clean/dry unheated garage through the winter.
All I do is connect a battery maintainer to each battery for the 4-5 months.
edit: I add Stabil to the fuel tank (thanks Dennis)

I schedule any needed oil and coolant changes in the fall before storage.
No point changing fluids again in the spring. (coolant is good for 5+ years anyway)
If I were putting the car into YEARS of storage that's another matter.

Calgary is fairly dry and can be very cold through the winter.
I bought my GT in 1990 and it's never been in a heated garage over winter.
The cars are not started at all until I intend to drive them out onto the street in spring.

------------------
My World of Wheels Winners (Click on links below)

3.4L Supercharged 87 GT and Super Duty 4 Indy #163

[This message has been edited by fierosound (edited 09-07-2020).]

Dennis LaGrua SEP 07, 10:31 AM
I'd recommend adding Stabil (a gas preservative) to fresh gas put in right before storage. That stuff works. I added it to the gas in the tank of a generator that I didn't use in 12 years. I just pulled the starter and the engine started right up. I later drained the tank before starting but I wanted to see what would happen. It looks like Stabil does the job.

------------------
" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

fierogt28 SEP 08, 02:38 AM
For that fiero nice like that, I'd want to store it in a heated garage.

Very nice 88 Formula.

------------------
fierogt28

88 GT, Loaded, 5-speed.
88 GT, 5-speed. Beechwood interior, All original.