Stovebolt.com Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Preparing your truck for winter

November 4, 2022

I just made this a "corner ad" for the forums. Wanted to post in here so folks will know that this thread is "more or less" active.

Maybe some new tips since ... 2016.

Preparing for winter where I live means rolling up the window and closing the cowl vent.

Starting and idling an engine without driving it does not burn off the water generated from combustion, generates about as much water as fuel burned, does not do your engine any favors. Best to start and drive or gets block heater to (just get engine warm).

Ed

Getting the green Turd ready for winter rains……

It's always kind of strange doing this announcement since some folks had "winter" already and maybe about done.

I saw big snows coming for the PNW soon.

"Winter" in the south south .... what? Watch out for Snowbirds!!

Ya! That's how Floridians know i'ts Winter. The place gets lousy with Canadians - especially the Frenchies.

Ranch truck is driven / used All year.

Great snow pictures!!

Well here is my winter routine:

Besides all the usual tips - I pull my plugs and spray the cylinders with an ample amount of Balistol (German weapon oil - just sticky enough to last a few months).
I repeat that after turning the other pistons to BDC, till all the cylinder walls are well covered - not a big fan of fogging.

I skip that "put her on blocks" thing, since "flat spots" on tires are IMHO a myth - I had a car just sitting there for 10 years and not a single flat spot.
Just make sure you have a bit more pressure than normal.

I disconnect the fuel pump (electric) and run the carb dry. Also spray the carb down with weapon oil.

Here comes the important part: before I wake her up in the spring, I pull the dizzy and spin the oil pump with a drill. till I have full pressure and oil coming out of the rockers.
This is probably more beneficial, than any other thing I do.

Talking about fuel stabilizers - I use Labracin (it's from Austria, not sure if available in the US).
I use it since years and I'm quite happy with it - they claim it t cleans the fuel system, lubes, emulsifies water, neutralizes acids, prevents rust, is a lead substitute,
keeps the gas stable for over a year and raises the octane level slightly (2 numbers).

What do you guys use, and what's your experience?

Frank

Gott im Himmel! That sounds too much like work! I think it would be easier to move to the South of France or the Costa del Sol than have to do that every year.

We have a product here called Stabil that is added to fuel for long storage. It's useful for lawn equipment and vehicles.