North American Turbocoupe Organization



winter storage
Safety Dude Offline
Member
#1
Hi all, been quite a while since I've posted anything. Busy doin business. Anyway here's the question. The time has come to tuck in the bird for the long cold winter. I have a good spot in my yard where the car will be out of the way and sitting on pavement far from any salt. I plan on letting it sit on it's own suspension and tires. I would really appreciate more storing tips if anyone has any. Thanx for any help.
1987 Turbo Coupe,Black with red cloth, 5spd, 70,000 miles. In the process of being dissasembled, detailed and reassembled using the best of the parts that I have from 6 past T-birds. 17" TSW Chrome rims with Wanli rubber, Sony disc player with Type "R" Alpine subs, K&N cone, Centerforce Clutch, MSD Ignition, Sequential tailights, B&M Short Shifter. Much more work to be done but lovin' every minute of it. Updates to come...
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turbot4 Offline
Member
#2
I would make sure that the antifreeze is up to the coldest night that you expect. Also, try and be sure that you have no water in the gas, gas tank and lines. There are additives for this.

Do you plan to cover the car? If you do, make sure the cover can not "flap" around in the wind. This can scratch the car.

If you can find a tire dealer that fills tires with Nitrogen, this will keep the full pressure during the winter and keep the tires from dry rotting.

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NATO Member
1984 Turbo Coupe
Rebuilt Engine
New T3/T4 Hybrid Turbo
Large Spearco Intercooler with Bypass valve.
Adjustable cam gear.
Kirban adjustable fuel pressure regulator
K&N fender mounted filter.
8.8 readend with Ford Motor Sport 4.10's
Replaced entire brake system
Replaced entire fuel system
Replaced entire suspension
87' or 88' TC hood
Completely redone leather interior.
Turbo boost adjuster from Tiny Avenger
3" Exhaust - DP, Cat and Ultra Flo Dyno Max.
and just about every thing else...
in the beauty shop for a make over.
NATO Member
1984 Turbo Coupe
Rebuilt Engine
New T3/T4 Hybrid Turbo
Large Spearco Intercooler with Bypass valve.
Adjustable cam gear.
Kirban adjustable fuel pressure regulator
K&N fender mounted filter.
8.8 readend with Ford Motor Sport 4.10's
Replaced entire brake system
Replaced entire fuel system
Replaced entire suspension
87' or 88' TC hood
Completely redone leather interior.
Turbo boost adjuster from Tiny Avenger
3" Exhaust - DP, Cat and Ultra Flo Dyno Max.
and just about every thing else...
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Pete D Offline
Administrator
#3
Put some gas "stabilizer" in the tank and fill the tank. Run the engine for a couple minutes so the stabilized gas get distributed through the entire fuel system. That shouldn't take long.

Remove the battery and keep it inside. Be sure to cover the holes, screened and unscreened, on the top of the fire wall, under the hood.. Stuff them with aluminum foil. That will keep the critters from nesting in the heater box, or worse.
Pete Dunham


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GaryS#2 Offline
Posting Freak
#4
Well depending how long it sits there are several variations, from full storage to semi dormant.
I do what Pete said with the tank, keep her full.
I even start it up every week or so and let it warm up to temp.
I don't mind leaving a car on it's springs but for long periods of no movement I gotta get the tires off the ground.
Another thing to watch for is the rust on calipers.
If you aren't moving it they are gonna rust up.
I usually move it around a bit for this reason and work the brakes as I'm warming it up.
Grocery Getter/Rice Cooker.
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Jeff K Offline
Administrator
#5
IMO, best to run it every 2 weeks or so. I dont drive the Tbirds in the winter, but every few weeks, I start them up, let them get fully warmed up, and at least drive them up and down the driveway several times to excercise the brakes, tires, power steering, and get the tranny and rear end lube to flow a bit. If the roads are relatively salt free, I will take a lap or 2 around the block. Putting 40 psi in the tires will help keep them from flat spotting, but just remember to let out some pressure in the spring.

If parked outside, plug the exhaust pipes to keep the critters out. Never happened to me, but 2 friends have had mice get into the exhaust, and build nests at the back end of the cat converter (that is as far as they can get!). Needless to say, it caused serious problems with a plugged exhaust.

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Jeff Korn

88 Turbo Coupe: Intake and exhaust mods, T3 turbo at 21 psi, forced air intercooler, water injection, bypass valve, Ranger roller cam, subframes, etc., etc.. // 86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner): intake, exhaust, valvetrain mods, 100 HP nitrous, ignition, gears, suspension, etc., etc.... // 91 Escort: Bone stock winter car // 02 Taurus Vulcan(wifes car)
Jeff Korn

88 Turbo Coupe: Intake and exhaust mods, T3 turbo at 24 psi, forced air IC, water injection, BPV, Ranger cam, subframes, etc., etc.
86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner): intake, exhaust, valvetrain mods, 100 HP N2O, ignition, gears, suspension, etc., etc.
11 Crown Vic Interceptor
14 Toyota Camry (wifes car)
95 Taurus GL Vulcan winter beater
67 Honda 450 Super Sport - completely customized
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tps87turbo Offline
Posting Freak
#6
All to the above. Make sure your windshield waaher bottle is full with fluid that will not freeze & not water. Fill the gas tank & the gass addative is a must & like Jeff said - run the car every 2 weeks for 10-15 minutes. Finally, before storing her, wash & wax the car to protect it.

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Tony Sceia -

HIS - Red 88 TC, Med Red with Raven Leather & every option, Walbro 255, 3" SS Downpipe with Magnaflow Dual SS 2.5 Cat Back system, 3-core Radiator, Star Stage 3 Clutch, Rebuilt T-5 Tranny, 4:10 rear, 140 MPH Speedo, New Paint, Headlights, Refinished Snowflakes & New Tires.

HERS - Blue 87 TC, fully loaded with every option, Gilies Valve, K & N Filter, 3-core Radiator...just needs a little body work & a new paint job.

87 TC - Bought as a Parts Car, & will remain a parts car now that I found the blue one.

[This message has been edited by tps87turbo (edited 11-14-2004).]
Tony Sceia -

HIS Red 88 TC
http://turbotbird.com/showroom/data_r-z/...a_88tc.php
HERS - Blue 87 TC, fully loaded with every option, Work in Progress
87 Gray TC Parts Car - Gave to BJL and is now his daily driver
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Joe F Offline
Posting Freak
#7
What the heck is winter storage? [Image: biggrin.gif] [Image: biggrin.gif]

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Be Cool,

Joe

JR's Place - My 87 TC
JR's Place - My '87 Turbocoupe
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1owner88TC Offline
Member
#8
Some things to consider when following the advice above:
If you plan to start it every week or so (and I think it's a good idea. I'd even run the A/C to keep the seals lubricated)you may not want to plug up anything that blocks it from running properly. I wouldn't expect critters making a home in a car that active. My van gets started every month or so and I don't have them.
If you cover it, another good idea, then use a car cover rather than a tarp. It will be easier to take it on and off to start the car (see item 1).
One last thought on running the car: mufflers and pipes get eaten up by the corrosive acids that accumulate there. When a system is run long enough they evaporate and don't sit in your system to do their dirty work. How long it takes to dry the system out I don't know. I live about 15 minutes from work and have gone thru 3 sets of NAPA lifetime mufflers. As a rule, mufflers close to the engine heat up quicker. I would guess a single system heats up faster than a dual. Stainless systems probably are unaffected.

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fun, fun, fun - Justin
3" DP & Cat, Magnaflos, K&N, Magnecor Race wires, Steeda Tri-Ax, 3-core radiator.
fun, fun, fun - Justin
3" DP & Cat, Magnaflos, K&N, Magnecor Race wires, Steeda Tri-Ax, SPEC Stage 2 clutch, 3-core radiator.
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GlassRooster Offline
Senior Member
#9
Nice advice guys I too will sit the bird down. Clutch is toast but has to wait for Uncle Sam to give me back my $$ in Feb. Fine with me we got 4 inches of the white crap on Saturday. So it's back to trying to hold my head up while driving the Saturn.
David

87 TC Faded Burgundy with faded red interior
K&N and cold air ducting- rest is bone stock
02 Mazda Protege 5 Replaced Dead Saturn
99 Cougar- Wife's car new body style now Discontinued.
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Pete D Offline
Administrator
#10
Quote: I wouldn't expect critters making a home in a car that active. My van gets started every month or so and I don't have them.

I hope you never do experience it. The wonderful smell of mouse piss is truely one of those gifts that keeps on giving [Image: biggrin.gif] BTDT
Pete Dunham


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