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Does anyone have a good winter or long-term storage routine?

Thank you in advance!

Back story: This 1951 M37 has been restored, runs well, and is in great condition. We live in Maine so it will be stored inside over the winter for 6 months. I want to ensure that the truck "rests easy" until May.

-Jordan

jblewis wrote:Does anyone have a good winter or long-term storage routine?

Thank you in advance!

Back story: This 1951 M37 has been restored, runs well, and is in great condition. We live in Maine so it will be stored inside over the winter for 6 months. I want to ensure that the truck "rests easy" until May.

-Jordan

Best winter storage routine I have is to keep the truck in a heated garage!

Cheers

Thanks Stu.

Is it best to top-off the fuel tank? Run it dry?

I've heard that the ethanol in gas seperates and begins to cause damage. But, maybe the steel lines in the M37 are not affected...?

If it is to sit idle several months, by all means get the fuel out of everything you possibly can; even then there could be enough left to cause issues.

My suggestion would be to treat the system with a good dose of Sta-Bil or equivilent supplement; run it long enough that you are certain the treated fuel is throughout the entire system. Drain and then run it dry. If you are lucky, maybe the sta-bil will ward off major issues from the little that is left. Don't forget to drain the carb bowl also.

Drain the carb bowl... That is a great tip.

I'll use the stabil in for the system, too.

Any other thoughts come to mind for long term storage?

Jordan,

I'm up in Bar Harbor, ME If you plan on not driving it at all during storage go with what Charles suggested, I've done that way and had no problems come spring time. What I have also done is put sta-bil in the tank when I know I am going to just drive it one or two times a month, the M37 is just too much fun in the snow just to see it sit there in garage.

Ed

Leaving the entire fuel system dry is ok in a climate controlled storage facility. In open or unheated storage the temperature changes especially in the temperate zones like north east and northwest will result in condensation and corrosion issues.

I prefer to not tolerate the presence of modern ethanol gas or reg unleaded auto gas anywhere in the fuel system when storing a truck. 100LL aviation gas can be left in storage over 2 years with no varnish buildups or rubber part damage. So if you are storing unheated where condensation is an issue consider running the ethanol gas out and filling her up with 100LL, then run her long enough to fill the entire system and park her for the winter. In the spring drain 1/2 of the 100LL out and save it. Fill the truck with auto gas and you'll find the 50/50 mix runs very well.

Guys,
I got hit with the E10 separation syndrome last weekend when I was out plowing with M!!
Started to run rough with no power. Luckily I have a 2 micron Racor water separator on the truck.
When I drained the filter it had a layer of water, alcohol and gas in the measuring cup I
drained it into. I'm really pi$$ed that the government has foisted this sham of a fuel problem
on us without telling us the problems that will result. I would suggest you all read the info at:
http://www.fuel-testers.com/ethanol_eng ... tions.html
AND for solutions:
http://www.fuel-testers.com/hydroburn_g ... eview.html
Hope this helps!!
Rick

Welcome aboard, Jordan! Some guys put 'em up on jack stands to keep the tires from developing flat spots-even though they "smooth out" once you get 'em turning for a mile or so, it's a way of life if you're running the bias-ply NDTs. This is my first winter with a garage, and I'll be out in the weather a bit this season, so my recommendation while being common sense still needs to be stated in a reminder sort of way: make sure your coolant is first rate and not old and tired.
Gary

GOOD MORNING,
When I winteize outboards and inboards, in addition to all of the above, I spray fogging fluid in the carbs, with the engine running, this is espically important to 2 cycle outboards as their C/R bearings, and main bearings get lubed via the carbs. The fogging hangs on over the winter and protects the crank and connected components. It also keeps the rings from sticking. I dont lay my M up for that long a period so I dont do the M, but I do keep the tank topped up. Like in a previous post they are tooooo much fun in the snow.
GOOD LUCK BOB