Fill gas tank for storage or not?

[tumblwd]

Hi Folks,
I am a new owner of a 1954 CDN Cargo and I was looking for your thoughts on filling the gas tank for storage over the winter.
Also, I have been told that I should be adding some lead substitute to the gas.
I am located in Ottawa, Ontario (Canada).
Any helpful advice would be appreciated.
Regards,
Bernie

[T. Highway]

Hi Bernie,

First, welcome to the site and we hope to see a few pictures of your new truck.

I always use Seafoam gas stabilizer and make sure that the tank is full, to reduce the amount of room for condensation to form in the tank.

Bert

[m37jarhead]

Bernie (and Bert):

I'll be interested to see what is said when others chime in on this subject.

I think that "empty" or "full" fuel tank when storing a vehicle just might depend on how long one is going to store it.

My thought is:
Short term, a month or two, fill tank and use a Sta-Bil or Sea Foam gas stabilizer.
Long term, empty the tank, start engine and run the fuel lines and carb dry of fuel.

This new formulated gasoline we have goes bad so quickly, I not inclined to keep it stored in a vehicle for very long.
After a month or so, it looks bad and smells bad with or without a fuel stabilizer. In my area I cannot buy gasoline without "corn syrup" in it.

Bottom line: There may be no perfect solution other than extensive "moth-balling" a fuel delivery system.

My two cents worth........
Jerry

[tumblwd]

Bert & Jerry
Thanks for the replies. Two additional considerations that I should have mentioned: One, I am using high octane gas which is not supposed to have ethanol in it, and two I propose to start the truck periodically to keep things lubricated.
You both mentioned a fuel stabilizer (thank you), but do either of you use a lead or lead substitute additive?
I will post a couple of pix as soon as I figure out how!
Regards,
Bernie

[Jess]

If your M37 is a CDN with the 251, then it will have the sodium exhaust valves with hardened seats and from my information, you won't benefit from lead additives. Use a mid grade or better fuel, add some Sea Foam or one of the other premium stabilizers and you should be good to go. I run mid grade marine gas (island , no licences, no ethanol) and in the 35yrs I have run this truck, never had it full or empty. A good supplementary fuel filter will help if you are concerned about water. Your colder climate will be different than mine and may produce more condensation than our 'marine' milder climate. In my diesel boat, a Racor filter takes care of any moisture and its tank is rarely full through the winter season. It does run weekly and if you leave gas in your CDNs tank, I would recommend that if possible.

RMS is out local expert, along with a few others in this region that will eventually offer their opinions.

Jess
(4 x M37CDN)

[just me]

Starting the engine periodically during storage is worse than leaving it sit. By far. If your tank is coated, drain it dry and hang some desiccant bags on the filler neck. If it isn't coated, fill it full with gas and sta-bil. (Avgas is best as it is already stabilized and has no ethanol or methanol.)
Pull the battery and keep it in a warm place and on a battery tender.
Pull the plugs, spray some oil in each cylinder and put the plugs back in.
Put it on jack stands so the tires are off the ground.

[tumblwd]

Jess and "just me"
Thank you for your comments and insight.
Regards,
Bernie

[Jess]

I would agree with Just Me's suggestions for long term storage. Winter storage where I live is about 6 weeks. In Ontario, your time will be a little different. We use the truck infrequently but its in service year round. In years gone by, mine would sit for months while I was away working and after freshening the gas and hooking up the batteries, it would fire right up. Not many vehicles will do that consistently. We don't do enough miles to warrant filling the tank ever, so a can of fresh gas is enough to go. If you are concerned about it sitting, turn off the valve at the fuel pump, run it dry and drain out the tank. If you leave it full, then you have a full tank of older gas in the spring.

[Cal_Gary]

Welcome Tumblwd! Glad to have you with us!
Gary

[tumblwd]

Gary,
Thank you for the welcome. I am trying to figure out how I get to the pm page.
Any help appreciated.
Thanks
Bernie

[m37jarhead]

Gary,
Thank you for the welcome. I am trying to figure out how I get to the pm page.
Any help appreciated.
Thanks
Bernie

Bernie: You can PM someone if you're logged into g741. Then look at the post and see the user name on the right.
"M37jarhead; just me, etc.". A "PM" is below the log in name. Just click on that to PM that person.
Jerry

[w30bob]

Hi Guys,

Just one point to make.............lead acid batteries should be stored in a cool, dry place........not someplace warm. You also shouldn't store them in freezing conditions either.

regards,
bob

[Cal_Gary]

Storage?! What's that?! We've got a line of snowstorms headed my way-got to have mine up and running for Snowmageddon....
Gary

[just me]

Yeah, when I say warm I just mean not out in the freezing truck.