Winterizing and engine coolant

[drooartz]

I know it sounds early to be thinking of this, but due to some family financial restructuring I've got to put all Tunebug projects on hold until spring -- with the exception of Hap's engine work, ain't nothing going to keep me from getting that work done. I need to get the Tunebug ready for storage.

The (recored) radiator is sitting on a shelf along with the gas tank. Do I need to worry about the remaining coolant in the motor? We'll have overnight freezing temps soon.

Side note: If you ever plan on replacing all 20 windows in a house (and turning one into a door), be prepared for some very big numbers, or very small remaining numbers depending on how you look at it. We're excited about the project and happy with our choice, but boy howdy that's a lot of scratch! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cryin.gif

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Drew,

I'm no expert but if radiator is out that means coolant is out of the block and unless you were running water in there instead of antifreeze any remaining residual coolant will either evaporate be of a high enough percentage of coolant / antifreeze that you should be ok. You've got the head off and at Haps so I don't know if there are any other poassages in there to worry about. May want to discconnect and drain the heater core, I'll wait to hear other folks with more expierience in these matters

 

[drooartz]

No heater core, and the head is still on the motor -- Hap is building up a 1275 for me, and the original 948 is still in the car.

 

[jlaird]

Might want to drain what is in the block and head, use the small pet cock at the left year of the engine under the exhaust. The brass one. That takes it all out. Cover with a big yard bag.

Now Drew, I just bet you can find lots of things to do with the tunebug, clean this, polish that, paint a few even, no expence on that kind of stuff, get everthing ready and real clean for the next push.

 

[drooartz]

I've got a few things handy to work on, but most require a few parts to order. I do have new brake lines on hand, so I may work on running them when I get a chance.

I do need to clean some of the suspension bits as well...

 

[RickB]

I did all the windows in my house a few years ago.

We still managed to have Christmas, but things were tight for awhile /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif

Don't worry, things will eventually get better!

 

[kcbugeye1275]

Drew, if the 948 isn't out of the car, take it out and detail the engine compartment. List all aspects of the cleaning and projected things you might want to buy and do to the car before you get it back. Til that time, as days are available you can clear your list of things to do and when you get your motor back, it will be time to install.

 

[drooartz]

We wound up doing some creative financial wiggling, paying off a second mortgage so we could take it back out again in a more advantageous way. Makes the next 6 months or so tight, but then things will be back to normal. I'm just glad I put the money aside for my engine work already -- no stopping that mission! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

I admit, I've been putting off pulling the 948, but I really should get it done. Will make rerunning the brake lines easier if nothing else. But then I need to store it, and find room for the bonnet, so I'll need to refigure the garage a bit... all doable (an pretty much free) but requires a few steps first.

I do like the idea of getting a list together of all the bits to do. Time for a big board on the garage wall I think.

 

[jlaird]

Engine and tranny out please and clean so you can eat off it. No cost.

 

[drooartz]

I'll get there, Jack. Just got to find a place to put said engine and tranny... Garage is only so big, after all. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif