Storage suggestions for my Traveller

[Larryb]

I have put my 67 Traveller away for the winter. She will be in a friends heated garage. What should I do to help insure she is in good condition for next spring? I plan on doing some work on her over the winter such as sanding the wood in places where it is dark (the lemon juice didn't work very well) and putting some anti-rust paint on the floor panels.

[Chipper]

It's advisable to do an engine oil & filter change, to prevent possible engine damage via acids in the old engine oil - same goes for gearbox and back axle. Also, disconnect the battery completely, and either charge it every month or so, or use a solar/trickle charger.

Either pump the tyres up a bit more than usual, or preferably, put the car on axle stands so no weight is on the tyres, to prevent flat spots. Pump the brake and clutch pedals from time to time, to help prevent seizing; change the brake fluid if it hasn't been done in a while as the fluid is hygroscopic (soaks up water from the air). Leave the handbrake off, else the rear brake shoes may bind onto the drum - chock the wheels if necessary. Turn the engine over on the starting handle.

Also ensure that there is sufficient anti-freeze in the cooling system - the coolant should be changed completely every couple of years or so.

Ensure that the floorpans are dry - Travellers tend to leak a bit! You could leave bags of salt, silica gel or rice inside the car to help soak up any airborne moisture.

Oxalic acid is good for bleaching the wood, available from yacht chandlers, or E-bay, etc.

[dalebrignall]

leave the windows open a tad as well , if the car is in a garage

[Juergen]

As it is the first winter-time for me and my Morris, I read a lot about what should be done to prepare the car for its "hibernation". One says out with the oil before winter, others say change oil in spring. I am a bit puzzled now. Would it make a difference if I take out the car for a ride from time to time (of course only when the roads are dry) ? Thanks in advance for your comments.

[Budgie]

If it's at all possible then I would just simply drive the car as often as you can when the roads are dry as it will do the car a power of good tootling around on the odd day here and there rather than have all the hassle of draining various fluids etc. unless of course you intend to mothball the car due to personal circumstances etc. You can't beat the car being driven to keep all the bits up and running and not have the problem of parts seizing up. Just my opinion of course.

[MarkyB]

Change the engine oil before you store the car, unless it hasn't had much use.
Old engine oil gets acidic.

[philthehill]

Put a Kilrock water trap (or similar) inside the car.
You will be surprised how much moisture will be caught even if you keep the doors shut and the car covered with a breathable car cover.
Keep a good flow of air going through the garage.
Put the car on axle stands, turn the engine over at least once a week. Also turn the rear wheels which will keep oil on the diff and stir the oil in the gearbox. Turning the engine, transmission and all four wheels ensures that the oil and hub seals do not stick and later fail.
Inflate the tyres to at least 35lb pressure not forgetting to reduce the pressure back to normal when returning the car to use.
Turning the engine over with the gearbox engaged with the clutch depressed will ensure that the clutch does not stick.
Adjust the brakes so that they are fully off and depress the brake pedal on a regular basis. This will make sure that the wheel cylinders and master cylinder do not stick.
At the start of the preservation period take the plugs out and give a good squirt of oil down the bores and then refit the plugs.

[Larryb]

Thank you all. This great advice...especially about getting Mazie out on the road when I can. Last year i went in once per week and started her and let her run for 15 minutes or so. My local mechanic said not to do that as it gums up the works because of low rev etc. I will use the hand crank to turn her over when not driving.

I need not worry too much about moisture as this is a dry building with radiant floor heating and well sealed garage but I will pay attention to it.

Again thanks for all the help.