Winterizing your mopar

[plowman]

You guys that put your mopars up for the winter what do you guys do far as oil change and storage . I put mine in a car bag in cold storage in my pole barn. I check the antifreeze, change the oil and filter, put celiac bags throughout, put Irish spring inside the car and trunk, take the truck mat out. This is what works for me but I wonder about the oil change. I leave it till the next winter.

 

[soundhd]

More and more classic owners (with the ethanol in today's automotive fuels) are either draining their tanks and run the motor till all the fuel is gone from the carb or just fill the tank up with aviation fuel (no ethanol) and run the engine till the aviation fuel is in the carb (more and more owners use aviation fuel all the time now...I am thinking of going that way, or at least 50/50.....cheaper then racing fuel)
As for "winterizing" the vehicle......that pretty much depends what the storage area is like...heated, not heated, insulated or not insulated, floor coated or not coated.....what your winter climate is like......some places are colder/warmer and dryer then others.......
The two main things I think that are important for long tern storage is to keep moisture from getting to the under carriage...a sealed/coated floor will do that just fine.....if bare concrete then you will need to place moisture barrier under the car......the bag thing is best in that case........
Keep a battery charger on the battery (I keep a battery tender on all my classics when parked year around) that will keep the battery from freezing or you can take the battery out and keep it in a warm dry place for the winter.
Not sure about the oil change thing....some say yes and some say no.......I change at the end of the season so I won't have to deal with it in the spring......to much other "stuph" going on in the spring to have to deal with fluid changes also.
I start all my classics once a month during the winter months, let them get up to normal operating temp.
If the area where you live does not use salt on the roads in the winter months I would take the vehicle out for short drive (I don't have that option.....I live in SE Michigan and they use lots of salt around here.....can't take the cars out till after it rains at least twice in the spring)....keeps all the seals, etc....lubed up and prevents them from getting dry.
I know there will be those who think different about the above but this is just my way of doing it......not better not worse just different.......

 

[Gpuller]

I put in my shed unhook the battery. Spray the motor with a light oil like WD-40 to keep the surface rust away. Some Cab Fresh in the car and call it good. Once it starts to warm in the spring I try to fire it up once a month or so.

http://www.amazon.com/Fresh-Cab-Rodent-Repellent-Pouch/dp/B0021LWPPY

 

[ODZKing]

I like the WD40 idea. For the first time since I've owned it, my 67 was not at home in my semi-heated garage last year. Anything bare metal not "cleared" got pitted or at least spotty looking.
Other wise, fuel treatment in the tank, battery tender and put her to bed for a long winter's nap.

 

[64BEL]

I keep mine in my buddy's building about 25 miles away. I change the oil and filter, Check the coolant, make sure the tires are aired up, and fill the tank with premuim (no ethanol) and Stabil before driving it over there. I park it on a big piece of plastic for a vapor barrier. The building has a concrete floor and isn't heated. Then I fog it - pour some ATF down the carb while it runs before shutting it down for about 4 -5 months. I pull the battery and put it in my basement. This has worked out fine for the past several winters. It always fires right up in the spring. It hibernates in good company in my buddy's building - along with several other Mopars.

 

[themechanic]

I saw an episode of Motorweek/Goss' Garage about storage in general.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=7FEuBkQYRq8

 

[70Fish]

In addition to the tips above, I'd second filling up the tank or close to it to prevent condensation from forming on the bare steel inside, and then rusting. Stabill then added to the tank of course, and I've never had a problem in the spring. I've also heard, and maybe this is bogus, but try turning your sun visors down to prevent mice from building a nest in the head liner above them.

 

[Gpuller]

In addition to the tips above, I'd second filling up the tank or close to it to prevent condensation from forming on the bare steel inside, and then rusting. Stabill then added to the tank of course, and I've never had a problem in the spring. I've also heard, and maybe this is bogus, but try turning your sun visors down to prevent mice from building a nest in the head liner above them.

YES flipping your sun visors down is a good idea! I had one of the little bastards build a nest up there once. Dryer sheets, Cab Fresh, moth balls, Irish Spring. Done it all but seems the critters still come in and make themselves at home. Cats aren't doing their job!
Nervous about this winter, I fixed up the interior and would like to keep it nice.