Putting her in storage for a year while I save for the rebuild... tips please

[LaraWilde]

G'day,

Some of you may have read back in May that I snapped my tail shaft causing it to fly about cutting my fuel lines and punching a fist sized hole in my transfer case and gear box. After spending many an hour with cold beer in the cab discussing the situation with my darling, we have decided that if we are going to import a gear box, a transfer case and a tail shaft we might as well go a new motor. And that would be ridiculous if we didn't get new electrics, paint, interior and suspension. So I am looking at a full rebuild for the big girl.

It will take me about a year to save up for it I think and I don't want to start until I get out of my rental house and buy a place of my own with a shed that is suitable. This means the big girl is going to be stored for at least a year.

I am putting her on blocks to stop the tyres getting a flat spot but not high blocks which will cause the suspension to sag.
I am taking the battery out and draining the fuel tanks today. May try and repair the fuel lines so I can turn her over one last time.
I have put napthalene flakes in the cab and engine bay to keep the mice and bugs out.
I gave her a bath, covered her in blankets to stop any rubbing then a huge tarp to keep off dust and bird grime etc. She is parked in a shed now.

Is there anything else I should do to store her?
Should I put something in the tanks to stop any left over diesel going bad or the tanks from rusting?
Should I be running anything through the injectors etc?
Should I block off openings like the exhaust to stop critters climbing in?
Should I put in some sort of moisture absorber - although it isn't very humid where she is stored?

Thanx,

Lara

[RW71]

You need shop wheels.

['72customdeluxe]

Not high blocks to keep the suspension from sagging? What? As long as all four are level with each other it doesn't matter. Or am I misreading?

[highperf4x4]

I would fix the fuel lines, fill the tanks and add a fuel stabilizer.
Change the oil
Fog the cylinders
Cover the exhuast pipes and anything else that could be accessible to critters
Pull the winshield wipers off

[LaraWilde]

Cool Wheels.

Why pull the wipers off?
What does fog the cylinders mean?
So you think rather than drain the tanks fill them completely?
Would I be fixing the fuel lines to run the motor or just to stop them leaking? Because I have clamped them off with zip ties already.
I went to my local parts shop and asked about fuel stabiliser but they didn't know anything - where should I go?

Thanx guys this is great help.

Lara

[highperf4x4]

Originally Posted by LaraWilde

Cool Wheels.

Why pull the wipers off?
What does fog the cylinders mean?
So you think rather than drain the tanks fill them completely?
Would I be fixing the fuel lines to run the motor or just to stop them leaking? Because I have clamped them off with zip ties already.
I went to my local parts shop and asked about fuel stabiliser but they didn't know anything - where should I go?

Thanx guys this is great help.

Lara

The wipers will be glued to the windshield if you leave them in place, just a hassle really.

As mentioned, fogging the cylinders means coating with oil. I don't know if you can get sufficient oil into the glow plug holes or not but you could bring the rpms up and fog it through the air intake (without the filter of course) while someone kills the engine. Keep fogging until the engine has stopped turning over.

I would fix the fuel lines so that you can fill the tanks, add the stabilizer, and run it long enough to pull it through the fuel lines and your filter.

Sta-Bil ...... http://www.thefarm.org/charities/i4at/surv/sta-bil.htm

[OhOneWS6]

If the tanks are full it keeps air out. Humidity in the air will condense with changes in temperature leading to water in the tank. Water in the tank can lead to rust as well as other issues.

Fogging the cylinders is a process that coats the cylinders with oil. It will prevent corrosion when storing for extended periods. You best bet to find fogging oil locally is to check the boat shops. You said diesel in your previous post. The fogging procedure may be different than for a gas motor.

[LaraWilde]

Thanx mate... any more answers to my questions please?

[Old Yeller 1970]

What you're doing looks good to me.

One thing you aren't doing that I made the mistake of doing is draining the coolant and leaving the radiator open. Mine sat on the shop floor for 2 years and was working fine the day I pulled it. When I put it back in it leaked and leaked after multiple trips to the radiator shop. It had corroded from exposure to the air and was ruined from the inside out.
I now have a new radiator. At least I don't have to worry about the old one giving out on me on a hot summer day.

[LaraWilde]

Thanx guys.
So was the advice to drain the radiator or not?

[retodd7711]

Originally Posted by LaraWilde

Thanx guys.
So was the advice to drain the radiator or not?

I would definitely change the anti-freeze and top it off before storage.
An empty radiator deteriorates quickly into an unusable state.

[LaraWilde]

mmmm ta... coldest we get here is about 10 degrees celsius so I am ashamed to say I have never used, bought or even given a passing thought to anti freeze.
I had planned to just top up with coolant.

By the way retodd7711 - just wondering where you got that great pic of me from?

[retodd7711]

Originally Posted by LaraWilde

mmmm ta... coldest we get here is about 10 degrees celsius so I am ashamed to say I have never used, bought or even given a passing thought to anti freeze.
I had planned to just top up with coolant.

By the way retodd7711 - just wondering where you got that great pic of me from?

Anti-freeze-coolant (in your case) is not for freezing, but for rust-inhibiting factor.A great way to trash a radiator (or an engine for that matter) is to drain the coolant and let it sit empty.
It will scale very quickly and the deposits will block important cooling passages.
BTW---
I hope you don't mind me using your picture

[LaraWilde]

Originally Posted by retodd7711

BTW---
I hope you don't mind me using your picture

Not at all - that is my best side.

Ok in summary:

I am
- topping up the radiator with coolant.
- fixing the lines and running a fuel stabilizer through the engine
- fogging cylinders (still not sure how to do this but will figure it out)
- putting on blocks
- taking of the wipers
- blocking off all entries such as exhaust to stop critters
- putting napthalene flakes in open containers in the engine bay and cab to deter mice and bugs
- putting in something to stop moisture in similar places to the napthalene
- take out the battery
- tarp up

Being a tight arrrse I am going to drain the tanks - there is close to 200L of diesel there and I have sold it for $1/L. Will drain after I give her a run through.

Found out yesterday (during a melancholy moment) that while it is all very good to store her this way the smell of napthalene flakes is not pleasant and can ruin a good beer session when you are locked in a dark cab with it.

Thanx for all of your help guys,
Lara

[Old Yeller 1970]

Coolant and anti-freeze are the same thing. And no, do not empty it. Top it off and leave it full.

[highperf4x4]

I wouldn't leave straight water in an engine that's running or stored either one. It will rust internally. I also wouldn't drain it. Put some antifreeze in it and make sure it's full. Your water pump bearing will thank you too.

[highperf4x4]

I wouldn't advise draining the tanks. They will condensate and rust internally. Keeping them full is the best option and by using the fuel stabilizer the fuel will still be good when you're ready to use it again and you won't have to buy another 200L of fuel either.

However, if you're sure it's only going to be a year then maybe you will be ok. Good luck.

[oldblue1968chevy]

blackbeauty had something about putting irish spring (think that was the brand) bar of soap in his truck to deter critters...

[woodwright]

Depending on your climate, tarping it might be a bad idea too. Moisture will come up from the ground and the tarp will keep it there. And I think the sun will create condensation too. Both will help it rust faster. If its only gonna sit for a year, I'm not sure I would do anything. As far as the internals, mine sat for 10 years, and started right up with some fresh gas and a battery. Gotta love the old trucks.

[LaraWilde]

I left it for 3 months in the shed and the dust and bird muck was shocking. It isn't very humid here and it is in an old shed. I just worry about the paint as it isn't that old. And she likes to be snug in her rugs. Plus it stops her from getting bumped when folk walk through the shed.

I asked the local Auto Barn for fogging oil and the guy said "oh yes follow me" we walked halfway to the back of the shop and he asked me again what I wanted - I told him and he gave me a blank look and said he didn't know. I have a mechanic mate coming over on Sunday to help out...

How bad is this though - I am seriously considering swapping my new ford ute for my baby brothers 93 GMC Sierra as a run around town rig.... I hate new cars. Just til I get my Chev back on the road.

[mikey531]

This is what I did

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=370267

[fishingjred73]

if you decide to leave the diesel in it be sure and get diesel stabilizer as the regular stabil doesnt contain the additives to prevent "algae" growth.

[LaraWilde]

The local spare parts shop doesn't have any sort of fuel stabiliser - may have to buy online.

Trying to work out how to tarp her up securely yet still leave a way for me to get into the cab with beer for our D&M sessions. Therapists are no where near as good as a session in the cab with the Chev and a few brewskis.

[BowTieMan]

Well if you have easy access to the truck while its in storage why not just fix the fuel line and every other weekend just go out and run the engine for like 30 min or something and have a few beers while it idles and give it a few revs? I think it might even help keep ya motivated to fix it all up as soon as ya have the money haha.

I don't know, it depends what others say that know more about it I am just throwing out my idea.

[LaraWilde]

That is a bloody brilliant idea BowTieMan.
You are my hero - you have just reunited unrequited love.
Ta