Just wondering how long can my '96 sit in the garage, before I need to worry. It's been under a cover in the garage for about a year & a half now, while I've been slowly collecting parts for a cam swap. Did the later model brake conversion up front with new calipers right before it's sleep, so the fluid should still be ok, maybe? Last fall I added stabil to the tank with fresh gas and did it again yesterday. Do I need to do more stuff?

 

You have a huge advantage already by keeping it indoors. I'd say you're good to go with what you've done already.

 

the only thing id do before you run it is just put some fresh 93 octane in there. or higher octane if its available.

 

Yeah, keeping the tank full is also a good idea.

 

fresh fluid changes wouldn't hurt when you take it out to start using it.

 

Do you ever start it and let it run? My car sat in a garage for an extended period without any prep, much longer than 1 1/2 years, but it was totally effed up when I pulled it out of storage.

 

you need to run that motor at the very least once a month every month..if you aint done that well you better be ready to pull the intake and run a oil primer to get oil going threw it again and even then your bores can rust.

 

i let a car sit for 3 years and pulled it out. i would put stabilizer in the fuel. i would also put fresh oil in it. i heard on horse power tv one time that oil that has high millage can become corrosive or acidic has something to do with the carbon build up in the oil if i remember correctly . i might also change the antifreeze

if your worried about corrosion build up in the cylinders you could always use a fogging spray. i use this on my boat and jetskis during winter storage.

 

+1 for starting it every couple of weeks, let it warm up to operating temps, run for several minutes, and then do a little reving if you can't drive it...

 

It's been partially torn down without an intake. Front half of pan bolts are out and timing cover is not sealed back up. No doubt about priming the oil pump before I fire it, but probably should atleast put the cam and timing gear on and seal it back up the best I can for now.

 

put in chevron fuel system cleaner ( black bottle ) keep gas good.

 

You really shouldn't have to do anything, maybe fresh gas and oil for peace of mind and just fire it right up. I don't see your location - if you live in a cold winter area, DON'T start it up and idle it for a few minutes every couple of weeks or whatever. You could end up building up a lot of condensation because the motor never burns it off. I realize though you said it's partially torn down, so no problem there anyway.

 

Thanks for the good advice guys!

 

Hey:
Your Car can go a very long time 3yrs or more indoors. Outdoors is another thing.
Since I had to do this about 5 times in the last 10 yrs, and the car has about 270,000 miles on it, and is in unheated , no A/C, stowage shed att, here is what I do. Just a little prep time and some common sense.
This is the list I use.

Pre stowage
1. Wash & wax the car real good a few days prior to stowage. Put and leave wax on any chrome or chrome wheels.
2. Fill Fuel tank full up and adding fuel system cleaner and stabill to it.
3. Fill tires with nitrogen they dont seem to go as flat as when I didn't. I also spray with a dryrot preventive spray.
4. Just prior to stowage Drain the old oil and change filter. put in your fav brand I put in Shell Rotella Synth 5/40 or Mobil 1 15/50. I overfill at least 2 qts.
5. Check your anti freeze make sure it way beyond the coldest your car may see in your area.
6. I change Trans fluid as well, I put in fresh just prior to stowage.
7. I give the car a complete grease job, I use a good synthetic grease.
8. Spray disinfectant in the A/C ducts.
9. Pull out the plugs and spray in fogging oil, use liberally.
10. Disconnect and remove the battery. put on a solar or timed charger, having someone check on it each month.
11. Put a air freshner in the car and put a good breathable dust cover on it.
12. Put the car on 4 jack stands, on the lowest setting with tires able to spin 1/8" only, or so.

Post stowage
1. Spray disinfectant in the A/C ducts.
2. Connect and install the freshly charged battery.
3. Put a new air freshner in the car.
4. Check and fill tires as needed.
5. Pull out the plugs and spray in fogging oil, use liberally
6. Wash & wax the car real good, to remove stowage grime, old wax, and dust.
7. Remove car from Jack stands.
8. Check your anti freeze, and brake fluid. Make sure it still looks ok. Check for leaks, and all fluid levels.
9. Drain excess qt oil and pour in valve covers, change oil/filter, on a short interval like 1st few hundred miles.
10. Fill up tank and put in best octane rated fuel you can.
11. Drive the car for a few short trips then go on a couple long trips, run a fuel systems cleaner in the car at 1st few fillups.
12. Check for signs of pest, insect nests, spider webs, or mold in your car and get it removed if it was kept outdoors.

Hope This Helps.

Dub

When In Doubt Do Without

 

That's a damn good list-I'm saving that! Thanks again!