Storing the stang...

[WashburnGT]

Ok guys...here's my deal. Going to Iraq in January(I could say next month, but if I
keep calling it January it seems farther away). Im going to have to store my GT while
Im gone. I decided to store it at a friend's house instead of putting it in a gov't
storage lot. I've heard too many horror stories to trust my car to them.

I was wondering if there is anything special I should do to it while its being stored. I
bought a cover for it. should I put any fuel stabilizer in it? Or do anything to the oil?
One guy from my unit said I shouldnt put the cover on it, because it could rub the
paint off on some of the edges. Having never stored a car before Im pretty clueless.

Also, to get it to the lower driveway area its getting stored at, I had to take the back
section of my LM2s off. I was too lazy to put them back on when I drove home so I
just threw them in my trunk. I found that I kind of liked the difference in the sound
of it dumping out right after the axle. After thinking about how it must look to
have cutouts with no exhaust sticking out, and actually considering leaving it like
that...how close does that put me to growing a mullet and parking a rusted out
pick-up in my front yard?


Thanks

 

[DRKSD]

not quite on topic... but which deployment base are you going through for your pre-deployment training?

 

[007]

I just put mine away. I do the following.

Wash it.

Blow the tires up really hard to minimize flat spotting. I go to 40PSI and then roll the car a foot every 2 weeks. If you can have someone roll it a little then go for it.

Disconnect the battery.

Add teh SeaFoam to the gas to stabilize it and clean your engine when you next fire it up.

Stick dryer sheets (the fragranced kind) all over the place. Inside, outside, engine bay, up your pipes. Critters hate them. I use them on my car and boat.

Use a cover if its not somewhere windy. If its not windy it wont harm your car.



Best of luck in Iraq.
Dave

 

[WashburnGT]

not quite on topic... but which deployment base are you going through for your pre-deployment training?

Im currently at Ft. Riley. Im deploying with the 1st Infantry Div.

Add teh SeaFoam to the gas to stabilize it and clean your engine when you next fire it up.

I should have known seafoam would come into play somehow...

 

[Gearbanger 101]

Blow the tires up really hard to minimize flat spotting. I go to 40PSI and then roll the car a foot every 2 weeks. If you can have someone roll it a little then go for it.

I can't say that I'd recommend that. Excessively over inflating your tires for long periods of time will cause stress cracks on your side walls and between your tread, especially if it's going to be exposed to cold weather. You want to minimize flat spots, put the car up on blocks under the rear axle and front control arms. This way you're still keeping the weight on the suspension and you're getting the tires off the ground.

 

[GeorgiaTech]

Yes, definitely disconnect the battery. I left my car in the dorm parking garage for a 3 week winter break, came back and it wouldn't turn over. =/

 

[hotrodredneck]

yup, put her up on blocks or jack stands, plug up the exhaust and intake Both. unhook the batt, cover it up and put the dryer sheets inside it too. fuel stab and the seafoam will do you good, but dont get scared if it smokes a lot when you get back. If you change teh oil before you store it then you can just go with it when you get back.

 

[FivePointStang]

OT: Do you know what base you will be at in Iraq yet? Lemme know... Ive been to pretty much every one and can tell you about them if youd like.

 

[Skidawg]

If the car is going to be stored in a garage, you can use a cover if you want. You don't really need it, but if it makes you feel better, go for it.

You'll need to add fuel stabilizer to a full tank if you plan on it sitting more than a month or so. Also try to avoid ethanol mixed fuel as the ethanol breaks down faster than the fuel does (even with the stabilizer). Be sure to add the stabilizer and drive it for a bit to get it into all the fuel system.

Disconnect the battery.

There's debate as to when to change the oil. I think you should change it when you get back and just before it's first startup.

Good luck!!

 

[myponyrocks]

first deployment 4 months...

HEET in the gas and an oil change. Nothing else. Sat outside uncovered (Thanks Dad!) no issues other than rodents, she fired on the first turn 4 months later. Mind you she sat outside all winter long never fired up 1x.

last deployment,
6+ months

Bottle of HEET, changed oil, to my knowledge she was sitting on the ground whole time (no flat spots).... she was in a climate controlled garage the whole time and on a trickle charger. Car ran perfect when I got home.

Good luck man.

*EDIT* Oh and if rodents are possible... dryer static sheets work wonders. put a few in the trunk, under the seats, etc..

 

[WashburnGT]

We are prepared for this deployment to exceed 16mos. So I guess I'll have to choose all of the above. Is there any benefit from putting a heavier weight oil in it while its stored? Or should I just stick with the 5w20? I'll definetly have to do the drier sheets, I dont know if there is a rodent problem but it will a t least keep it from getting musty.

 

[hotrodredneck]

no need for heavier oil....what good would it do anyway?...it isnt running. Dont forget to plug the exhaust and intake...leave a note inside to remind you to pull out whatever you plug it with too.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Take precautions against mice or you will be making a thread like this:
http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=674603

 

[myponyrocks]

Take precautions against mice or you will be making a thread like this:
http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=674603

I made a few of those until I found out about the dryer sheets. Luckily for me they only ate under my seats and nested with the spare tire (and all my dress uniforms I left in it)... Unfortunately most insurance companies don't cover rodent dammage