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Winter Storage: To Block or Not

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anthony7777

Yoda
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ya its comming, winter that is, so i might as well get the jump on the ageless guestion 'should one jack up and block the healey off the ground' or let it sit on the wheels, the best argument against not blocking was the fact that if one were to experiance a house fire [god forbid] you could extract the car from the garage, that being said, what if the car wasnt in or under the house propper? also if blocked you couldnt on occasion start and run it for how ever short a distance to get the juices flowing, what do you think, and what do you actually do? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
Re: winter block or not

Well Anthony, Out here in sunny California I would not know anything about that winterising bit. However, I might suggest you should jest pack up and move a little bit farther west!---Keoke /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gifOn the otherhand I do not see why you can not at least start it periodically and let it warm up.Put a blanket over the radiator to speed things up a bit,course there wont be any tire wear to worry about. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Re: winter block or not

Here in not so sunny part of California where we can get 60 inches of snow in one storm, I start the car once a week until warm and drive 4 to 6 inches forward each time until I reach a chalk mark then back. Keeps the hubs hanging from different spokes and the tires don't get flat spots. I've heard that blocks pull on the suspension. I drove her to work today. It was 28 degrees when I started. Bless the engine heat.
 
Re: winter block or not

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif WOT TH, that cold up there already? Thats freezing! Man its been nothing but miserable 90 Deg weather down here and surrounded by the fires which add to the heat.OH, If the blocks are located under the front suspension it won't pull on it.---Keoke
 
Re: winter block or not

[ QUOTE ]
... I drove her to work today. It was 28 degrees when I started. Bless the engine heat.

[/ QUOTE ]

Top up or down? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Once upon a time I drove a BN2 from coast-to-coast, Maryland to California... with the top down all the way... in February. Yes, I got wet. Real wet. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif
 
I've never laid a car up for the winter. In Scotland, they'd never leave the garage for one thing.... But more seriously, its good to drive them every two-three weeks, even if only around the block or down to the shop and back. And if there's a nice, clear day its that much harder to take it out for a little "run" should you want to do so.
 
Top up. I'm a wimp. I'm taking her out again this morning. Its up to 35 out there. It will hit high 60's this afternoon. We are way over due for forest fires here and we have a "save the Healey plan".
 
Anthony

Just drive the beast! If you’re going to block anything, think about partially blocking front of radiator (e.g. interstate big rigs) to help engine reach and maintain operating temps during winter. For longer storage, regardless of outside temps, keep the gas tank “FULL” to reduce condensation inside gas tank (think moisture and rust) and move the car around, like TH described, to help prevent flat spots on tires.

In an uncontrolled blaze remember, life is more precious than possessions! GONZO
 
Anthony, I guess I know what winters can do to a car here in the N.E. I am still and will continue to be fighting rust from the owner of 30 years ago. I have never done anything to my 67 BJ8 except cover it to protect the finish. This year I will use a gas stabilizer. Don't know how much gumming one gets without it.
 
We New Englanders are tough. Drive it in the garage, leave it in gear, no e-brake. In the spring look under for new leaks, possibly charge the battery, check the tire pressure and drive it out of the garage. Been doing this for many years. Get a surprise every now and then ie; frozen caliper, sticky clutch, rotted brake line but nothing that more serious preparation could prevent. Bob
 
If you can't move it you could be better off on blocks to save the tyres. Me, I'm not affected, well not that much any way, here in sunny Hampshire England I drive it top down all year. Mind you, I do pick my days in the winter months, dry and after a few rain if the salt / gritting machine has been around which is not that often.Just wrap up warm and go for it.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/england.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

Bob
 
I just bolt my plow onto the bumper brackets and clear the snow right out of the driveway...gotta love that torquey engine!

Seriously, I don't use blocks. Even if I don't actually start the engine, I periodically roll the car a little to keep the tires from getting flat spots. I also disconnect the battery, change the oil/filter and make sure the tank is full.
 
Speaking of storing cars in general, and Healeys in particular, I have some considerable experience in this. Of course my observations and experience are strictly anecdotal -- no scientific instruments or lab testing involved -- but FWIW, here I wot I learnt:

For short-term storage of, say, a year or less, almost no prep is required. Sure, you should remove the battery (or at least disconnect it or turn it off), but that's really about it. If you want to increase the chances that your battery will still be good a year later, put it on a trickle charger. If you're really conscientious you can also move the car slightly to help prevent tire flat-spotting, but I've never found flat-spotting to be a problem if the tire pressure is up where it should be. Of course, you could just park the car and then start and run it for several minutes every week or two, and move it slightly each time.

For medium-term storage of, say, 1-3 years, I would write-off the battery; just remove it and give it away or recycle it.

For long-term storage of, say, 3+ years, you are asking for trouble unless you regularly tend to the car and can start it periodically. Seals and gaskets will dry up and begin leaking, and the brakes will likely be shot and need a complete overhaul. Then there are the potential problems of insects and animals moving in if you're not around to tend to these things.

Much has been written on this subject, but based on my experiences, there is relatively little you can do that will make much difference if you don't regularly tend to the car. Start it and let it warm up to operating temp regularly, move it slightly, pump the brakes, run the accessories, honk the horn! Only exercise keeps you, and your car, young.
 
keoke,my friends,reid,james wilson,sargevt,and bob claffie,to name a few[and thats about all i have is very few]are the types of men that build wooden ships in order to circomnavigate the globe,the kind of man that will sit in a capsule waiting to be projected into outer space buy a billion pounds of thrust,into an unknown destiny,they dont sip coffee at starbucks with a constant 76 degres of ambiant air,they know the real world!we know what its like to now have to pay 30% more this year for our heating bills! these are stout men,strong in thier convictions,i thank you for the invite to move further west,ive been there,done that, and found the west is not prepaired for our particular bent of insanity,or is it the other way around?having said that,ill not block my healey dam it, ill drive it in 5 feet of snow if i have to!!!!!!!!!!!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazyeyes.gif
 
Naw TH, Don't strain the back that fella is a bluffin.---Keoke /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

OH! TH, don't tell him I designed the Dam Capsule. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lol.gif
 
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lol.gif-----Keoke
 
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/savewave.gif TH!


It musta melted before it got there--Bummer HUH.---Keoke /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif
 
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