Putting my '78 into hibernation for a while

[jeremy93ls]

After much thought, I plan to store the other love of my life in my basement for a few years.

 

Money is tighter than ever and that raise I was promised didn't turn out to be what I expected. Every month finds us stretching my income as far as possible while my wife continues her classes to one day become a Registered Dietician. With no grants or financial aid help at all, I can't afford to do any maintenence/repairs on the Datsun now if I had to.

 

So, anyway, I'm fortunate enough to have a garage door around back that I can roll the 280Z in until she finishes school and starts making some big buck$. I've read about adding fuel stabilizer and filling the tank up to the neck. I also heard that keeping weight off the tires will prevent flat spots and since the suspension is waaaaay worn out anyway, new springs/struts/bushings/etc will be one of the first projects to start when I roll it back out some day.

 

I'll remove the battery because I'll likely need it in my truck soon enough.

 

My basement doesn't have rodents so that's good (for the wiring, haha)

 

It can be a little damp at times after heavy rain, but it's got to be better than storing it outside under my steel carport.

 

I've read that it's reccomended to change the oil before storing a car for a few years. Really?

 

I'm thinking of removing the plugs and spraying oil in the cylinders, too.

 

Am I overlooking anything?

 

 

[Zed Head]

Buy a can of Fogging Spray and do the intake system and cylinders.  It prevent surface rust on cylinder walls and valve/valve seat surfaces.

 

http://www.autozone.com/fuel-and-engine-cleaners-additives/fogging-oil-and-fuel-stabilizer/sta-bil-fogging-oil/94416_0_0/

[Montana Z]

If you can free up the funds a de-humidifier would be a good investment.  The guy I purchased my car from had not driven it in 12 years.  He had it up on blocks, but took the time to start it every couple of months and let it run up to operating temperatures.  He told me it was to keep everything lubricated.  Not sure if it makes a difference, but I can tell you I put wheels on it and drove it out of his garage.  17 years later it is still running just fine

[SteveJ]

Changing the oil removes moisture and other contaminants that might have collected in the old oil.

 

If you get the urge to wrench on a Z, let me know. It wouldn't hurt to have someone push me to work on the cars.

[rcb280z]

The only other thing that comes to mind is the fuel. Drain the tank completely or add stabil fuel stabalilzer if you don't drain it.

[FastWoman]

Personally I'd drain the tank.  The gas will be no good 3 years from now -- a waste of perfectly good fuel/money.  Drain it, and burn it in your other vehicles.  You shouldn't get condensation in the tank if it's in your garage.

 

Even better, I do like the idea of starting the engine every couple of months.  But you want to have non-ethanol gasoline in your tank, AND you want to keep your tank fairly empty.  Every couple of months, pour in another half gallon or so of gasoline, and run the engine until it's warm.  Keep the battery on a trickle charger.

 

Your tires might be questionable after the long hibernation anyway.  It's said you should replace your tires every 3-5 years regardless of wear, because of dry rot.  I doubt most of us actually do that with our Z cars, because they don't get a lot of miles.  However, it might be sensible just to leave the tires on the ground, suffer the flat spots, and take the car for a drive up and down the driveway every couple of months, just to get the fluids moving.  Don't forget to run the AC if you have it!

[jeremy93ls]

Thanks for the tips.

 

Dehumidifier -yes.

 

I do like the idea of an empty tank of fuel better than a full one inside my home. I could even disconnect the fuel pump and blow the lines out for good measure.

 

If I had a detached garage, starting it up monthly would be my method of choice.

 

I think I'll keep the tires aired up. You're right, these tires are many years old already and will need to be replaced when I roll it back out eventually.

 

 

 

[siteunseen]

$20 car cover to keep the dust off.

 

Will it run?  You say you're going to roll it in the garage?  If not I'd pull the valve cover and soak the valve train with oil as well as the cylinders through the plugs like you said.  Spin the motor somehow.

[Zed Head]

I would build some rollers for the back wheels, pipe the exhaust system outside, and use it as a driving simulator.  Win, win, win.

[siteunseen]

I used my shop vac hose with the flat attachment for crevices slid under the garage door this past winter when I rebuilt my carbs.

[grannyknot]

As strange as it sounds, to prevent that musty smell from starting inside the cabin, throw a bag of real charcoal on the luggage shelf and open it so the charcoal is exposed to the air. Years from now the inside of your car will smell sweet and you can still have a BBQ with it.

Chris

[FastWoman]

Wow!  No kidding!?

 

I have to say, though, that there's something sort of cool about that antique car smell.  It takes decades for it to mature, like a fine wine.