I know this is mainly an engine forum, but I feel this query is somewhat related...

This will be my first Northeast Ohio winter storing my 55 Ford Country Sedan wagon. (272 engine) Other than Sta-Bil in the gas tank and a "float" charger what else can you recommend? I'm getting conflicting opinions from people. Just want to do it right.

By the way,in regards to my earlier post, it was a bent pushrod.Rocker arm retaining nut worked loose.

"You can lead a horse to water...but a pencil must be lead."

 

Cleveland, Ohio

Drive it all winter then you don't have to worry about that stuff!


Lawrenceville, GA

Says the man from Atlanta!

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

I use Stabill and bring the battery home to charge. Should work ok. I don't think the stuck valve problem shows up after one winter storage very often. Chuck in NH

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

I top off the tank fully , and I don't add stabil. I remove the battery and keep it charged on a work bench.( the vapor emitted from a charging battery will cause corrosion . I wipe down the chrome with white vinegar dampened on a towel and rewipe with a dry one . Cover it and pretend it doesnt exist until the roads are swept clean late spring

Come on, you can't tell me they had to put the cars up during the winter in the 50s. If they could do it then they can do it now!



People even put them up around here. I don't get it. Not my cup of tea.


Lawrenceville, GA

you tell 'em Charlie. I drive my bird all the time in winter . When weather is bad I keep it inside. Other wise its on the road. I didnt spend all that money restoring it to leave it in the garage. my .02.

55Birdman  Hickory NC

Good thinking on the full tank. I forgot to mention that one. I charge my battery on the bench too. Never heard about the white vinegar thing before. I stored the car last year in a large old concrete block chicken house. Unheated! The chrome was in really sad shape in the spring. Especially the parts with flat tops, like the parking light housings. Looked like corrosive moisture sat on them for a while. The, supposed to be, stainless tube grill was also pretty badly rusted! Chuck in NH

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

I think Sta-bil is a crock. It completely screwed up the carb on my son's car. I've had old cars for over 30 years and never used the stuff or another brand. I never had gas go bad on me, including the newer 10% ethanol. Just remove the ground cable and your all set. Once every two weeks or so, start it up and run it so it gets up to full operating temperature. Better yet, do it on a clear day and just take it out and exercise it - the tires will love you.



Never store it over dirt. Put down one of these cheap blue tarps if you have to, cover the entire floor.

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Chuck, unfortunately not all stainless is the same. There are different grades of stainless (not stain proof). The different alloys that make up the stainless steel make it more resistant to corrosion and stains (like the good brightwork on your '56 compared to the crap they obviously used on your custom grill.

BOB