Hi all,

 I am looking for some pointers for winter storage as this year the vette will need to be stored in a barn and my biggest concern is the chipmunks & mice.

I have a Covercraft Ultra tect car cover and plan on buying a Rhino car bag. I also made some custom aluminum plugs for the tailpipes.

This is the first year I will be storing it and really dont want to open it up in the spring to a nightmare.

Thanks,
Bill


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I keep mothballs in the engine compartment and interior. 4 season car cover, fill with premium, pump tires up to 40psi, fuel stabilizer, fog the engine till she stalls and put battery on my workbench in the basement on a tender. The car is parked in my driveway year round....last winter was fairly mild and I was on the road again by the end of March, but normally she sits from Halloween to Easter.....never had any rodent issues, and I just keep the heavy snow off of her.

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Heh I stayed in Norwood when we went to Kenney Chesney huricane concert last Aug.....

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LIFETIME MEMBER 151

Hi Bill,

I can only relate what I did for five years while I lived on Cape Cod.  The first couple of years I had a metal tubing canvas
covered structure.  I also used two car covers bungied under the car.  I also had a large tarp on the ground.  That set up
turned out to be a real pain in the ass.  I also kept my lawn tractor - snow plow in there briefly.  I had to work the snow off
the top of the thing and the little buggers liked the inlet to the air cleaner on my '82.  I also used moth balls in socks but,
stopped that and went with a box of dryer sheets inside.  The whole structure failed just after I pulled baby out the second
year.  It came down in a big wind storm mixed with freezing rain/snow.

I gave up on that and did the big wrap.  I used a large tarp and drove the car on to it.  Then I put the one of car covers on and
tied it under the car.  I then pulled the bottom tarp up and tied that off tight. Then I put the car cover on top and tied under
the car. 

I only did this from mid to late Dec  'till the heavy snows/weather broke in late Feb early March.  I'd then open the car up and charge the battery and get her started.  I still would not drive it until we had a few good rains and the street sweepers
made their rounds.  I got caught in the snow a couple of times but, not a big deal with a driver level car.

I think I removed the battery one year but, that was no fun.  It had a good charge on it when it got covered up.  Cape Cod
winters are not the coldest around but, it does snow and freeze and thaw and refreeze.  I do not miss that at all!

The pipe plugs are a good idea.  I wrapped them with a plastic bag and rubber bands.  That worked too.

Good luck

Keith


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Nobody ever waves when I'm driving the Explorer.
K Woody

Hi Bill - welcome, looks like a sweet ride!

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Looks like all the issues have been covered but just a word to the wise.  Definitely install the moth balls / dryer sheets.  I did not do that one winter and had stored the car in my father-in-law's barn.  Bad move.  Mice got in and ate-up the carpet in the front part of the car and had made nests with it in the engine compartment. Mostly, everything is common sense stuff.

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Chuck

Thanks to all for your responses... Greatly appreciated...

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Pretty much what these guys said.

I start my end of season procedure with:

 1: Change oil/filter & lube, check and fill all fluids including the gas tank.
 2: Over inflate the tires by a few pounds. 
 3: Wash and dry car/coat of wax.
 4: Vacuum/Clean interior/glass.
 5: Place a sheet of thick plastic over the floor of the garage.
 6: Elevate my car a few inches off the ground by means of some old Trex decking boards I drive up on.
 7: Disconnect the battery in the vette. I don't trust old cars and their electrical systems. The GTO gets a trickle charger.
 8: Loosened up the T-tops and leave the hood popped (not opened).
 9: Place drier sheets through out the interior and engine compartment.
10: Place a container of Damp-Rid on the center armrest.
11: Put the car cover and forget about it until spring.


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