How to store your truck - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

longboard · 03-19-2010, 01:19 PM

Hello all!

I love the site, this is my first post and I'm hoping you all can help me.

I have a 1971 C10 (350) and won't be driving it for 6 months, possibly longer. I will store it in a garage but what things do I need to do to prepare it for some long-term storage?

Do I put it up on blocks?
Drain the fuel, oil, trans. fluid?
Disconnect the battery?

If someone had a good checklist of storage tips, that would be great.

Thanks so much everyone and I appreciate the great site.

Tx Firefighter · 03-19-2010, 02:18 PM

Get the gas out of the tank and run the engine until the carb is dry. Modern gas is hell on carburetors when it sits for any real length of time. Barring that, try to use a fuel stabilizer of some sort.

Disconnect battery.

longboard · 03-19-2010, 02:25 PM

Thank you so much TX Firefighter. I'm new to being a classic truck owner and not all that familiar with many things involving repair and maintenance. So I have a question about your reply;

If I get the gas out of the tanks (I have 2) why would I need a fuel stabilizer?

I'm sure I'm missing something simple here, but thanks.

Tx Firefighter · 03-19-2010, 02:36 PM

I guess my response is kind of confusing. I meant to say, get the gas out of the truck if you can. If you can't or don't want to (mobility of vehicle in an emergency for instance), just pour in some fuel stabilizer to the gas tank and run the truck to get it up into the carb.

longboard · 03-19-2010, 02:41 PM

Thank you, I get it.

Would you put it up on blocks to preserve the tires better?

Jacfourteen · 03-19-2010, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longboard

Thank you, I get it.

Would you put it up on blocks to preserve the tires better?

Couldn't hurt, it'll keep the tires from going square on you.

**Already Gone** · 03-19-2010, 04:03 PM

Uphere in the cold north we regularly store our vehicles 6 or 7 months a year every year. I've been storing vehicles since the early 80's and all I've ever done is add fuel stabilizer and yank the battery for the Winter.

longboard · 03-19-2010, 04:34 PM

Thanks guys, I really appreciate all the help.

If any other storage tips come up, let me know.

PanelDeland · 03-19-2010, 06:29 PM

Might want to put some mothballs,dryer sheets or whatever other rodent deterent in/around it.If the paint is nice wash it well and wax it.Even though it will be in a garage it never hurts to protect your paint.

longboard · 03-19-2010, 09:31 PM

great tip, thanks much!

hayhauler71 · 03-19-2010, 09:38 PM

Change the oil, old oil will contain acids and likes to do some pitting on your engine bearings.

longboard · 03-20-2010, 09:57 AM

Is there a danger to simply draining the old oil and NOT replacing it? Or is it best to store a truck full of new oil?

Thanks.

hayhauler71 · 03-20-2010, 01:26 PM

change it and only run it for a few seconds to get fresh oil to the bearings

Jacfourteen · 03-21-2010, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longboard

Is there a danger to simply draining the old oil and NOT replacing it? Or is it best to store a truck full of new oil?

Thanks.

Yeah, if you forget that you drained the oil and start it that is a real danger to your engine

. I know it sounds dumb that you would forget something like this, but I've done it before. Once after I got done swapping an engine I went through my checklist of everything hooked up and all that. Then I started it up, luckily I forgot to plug in the MAF sensor so it died after running about 5 seconds, then I thought oh s### I forgot to put in oil! I filled it up with oil, plugged in the maf and it was all good.

longboard · 03-21-2010, 08:39 AM

good advice, thanks.

03-19-2010, 01:19 PM	#1
longboard Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Red Wing, Minnesota Posts: 7	How to store your truck Hello all! I love the site, this is my first post and I'm hoping you all can help me. I have a 1971 C10 (350) and won't be driving it for 6 months, possibly longer. I will store it in a garage but what things do I need to do to prepare it for some long-term storage? Do I put it up on blocks? Drain the fuel, oil, trans. fluid? Disconnect the battery? If someone had a good checklist of storage tips, that would be great. Thanks so much everyone and I appreciate the great site.

03-19-2010, 02:18 PM	#2
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: How to store your truck Get the gas out of the tank and run the engine until the carb is dry. Modern gas is hell on carburetors when it sits for any real length of time. Barring that, try to use a fuel stabilizer of some sort. Disconnect battery. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

03-19-2010, 02:25 PM	#3
longboard Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Red Wing, Minnesota Posts: 7	Re: How to store your truck Thank you so much TX Firefighter. I'm new to being a classic truck owner and not all that familiar with many things involving repair and maintenance. So I have a question about your reply; If I get the gas out of the tanks (I have 2) why would I need a fuel stabilizer? I'm sure I'm missing something simple here, but thanks.

03-19-2010, 02:36 PM	#4
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: How to store your truck I guess my response is kind of confusing. I meant to say, get the gas out of the truck if you can. If you can't or don't want to (mobility of vehicle in an emergency for instance), just pour in some fuel stabilizer to the gas tank and run the truck to get it up into the carb. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

03-19-2010, 02:41 PM	#5
longboard Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Red Wing, Minnesota Posts: 7	Re: How to store your truck Thank you, I get it. Would you put it up on blocks to preserve the tires better?

03-19-2010, 04:03 PM	#7
Already Gone 70+ ( Old Skool Club ) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan ,Canada Posts: 9,105	Re: How to store your truck Uphere in the cold north we regularly store our vehicles 6 or 7 months a year every year. I've been storing vehicles since the early 80's and all I've ever done is add fuel stabilizer and yank the battery for the Winter. __________________ 1972 C10 Custom/Deluxe 613 Highlander 406/700R4 1999 White Tahoe LS 4x2 with Z56 Police Package 1992 K1500 GMC Suburban Members I have personally met: MusicMan70 - HeavyD - ChewyChevy67 - StingRay -71SWB4x4 - 67 Burb - DeadheadNM - too much stuff - bc65 - das601 " Circumsatances Do Not Change Responsibility " " The Sky is not the Limit, Your Mind is." Marilyn Monroe .. RIP Charlie Watts 1941 - 2021

03-19-2010, 04:34 PM	#8
longboard Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Red Wing, Minnesota Posts: 7	Re: How to store your truck Thanks guys, I really appreciate all the help. If any other storage tips come up, let me know.

03-19-2010, 06:29 PM	#9
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: How to store your truck Might want to put some mothballs,dryer sheets or whatever other rodent deterent in/around it.If the paint is nice wash it well and wax it.Even though it will be in a garage it never hurts to protect your paint. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

03-19-2010, 09:31 PM	#10
longboard Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Red Wing, Minnesota Posts: 7	Re: How to store your truck great tip, thanks much!

03-19-2010, 09:38 PM	#11
hayhauler71 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: St. Paul MN. Posts: 1,996	Re: How to store your truck Change the oil, old oil will contain acids and likes to do some pitting on your engine bearings.

03-20-2010, 09:57 AM	#12
longboard Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Red Wing, Minnesota Posts: 7	Re: How to store your truck Is there a danger to simply draining the old oil and NOT replacing it? Or is it best to store a truck full of new oil? Thanks.

03-20-2010, 01:26 PM	#13
hayhauler71 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: St. Paul MN. Posts: 1,996	Re: How to store your truck change it and only run it for a few seconds to get fresh oil to the bearings

03-21-2010, 08:39 AM	#15
longboard Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Red Wing, Minnesota Posts: 7	Re: How to store your truck good advice, thanks.



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