Hey Dawgs,

Winter is coming . Looking for storage advice.
Last spring I got a lot of flak for spraying starter fluid down the carb and starting it up after sitting for 5 months. Cranking it up once a month and letting it run for 15 minutes is what I remember the most. I know a lot of guys up here that do the starter fluid method(porshe,GMC) but this year I m gonna listen to the FTE dawgs.

thanks, C & R

 

The reason for the flack over the starter fluid is becasue it relates to an instant start. It is better to let the system pressurize a little before you want it running. Pull the coil wire and crank it over till the oil pressure come up, then it will probably start on it's own. As for storage, run the current tank of gas down as low as possible and toss a little gas stabilizer in there. Put blocks under the front and axle if you do not plan to drive it, taking the load off the tires. I always unhook the battery, just for grins.

Just a few $.01's worth... --Mike

 

Me I go down to the boat shop and get a spray can of "FOGGING OIL" warm the motor up pull the air cleaner and spray the oil in the carb until it stalls. It keeps everything coated over the winter.
Yes use Sta-bill gas stabilizer but fill the tank so you get less condensation in the tank.
If the truck is sitting in a barn or outside i like to place a plastic bowl over the carb to keep mice from nesting in the carb. Why do they like it in there?
Change the oil too.

44

 

I was speaking with my neighbor, a heavy duty mechanic...and his advice was to tarp under and over the truck, remove battery, keep it up on blocks with the back a little lower for drainage and add some fuel stabilizer to the (full) tank and run it a bit. What he also told me is not to run the truck while it's parked in the winter. His opinion was that it would be too hard on the truck after sitting for weeks at our winter temps (which are well within the 40 below celcius range) to just 'try' to start her up and let her run. As well, you'd have to leave the old girl plugged in for days before JUST to be able to turn it over.

Of course, not everyone here on this board lives THIS far north!

 

Wow you guys in the Cold places have it rough. One thing I might add ( I work in one of thoes boat shops ) is to make absolutily sure you Antifreeze is up to par. otherwise drain all the hoses and the block, Freezing you motor is no fun.