The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk How to store slow moving projects??

It's been 6 years since I started my '52 half-ton project, and 4 months ago I finally test started the motor I built in 2005!

I'm sure there are others like me out there who take forever on their project... Hopefully I can get it done this year (wife would laugh at that...) but in case I don't, what is the best way to store slow moving projects? Should I drain the oil and put the truck on floor jacks so tires don't get flat in spots?

Sweet lookin' truck. Leave the oil in it and turn it over once in a while, but getting the tires off the ground is a good idea.This will not only keep your tires in better shape but it also helps to get the truck up off the floor to drier air.

If you support it from the frame so the weight is not on the springs it won't hurt either.

If you're not going to run it, drain the gas. Run it until it dies. Put a tablespoon of oil in each cylinder and crank it over a few times. Put the plug back in finger tight. And remove the battery, use it in something else if you can.

Yeah.. getting it off the floor keeps flat spots off the tires.... but I have been told by older guys than me (not many of those left) that it also keeps from getting flat spots on the wheel bearings.

I personally can't think of any reason why you would gain anything by draining the fluids and rendering it even more immobile.

If you're intentions are to eventually finish the job, I'd keep it where I could crank it up occasionally. It certainly won't hurt the hardware and it might stimulate the heart to devote a bit more time to the project.

I try to remember "that it's the journey and not the destination" that should motivate us, and that we are the only ones keeping an eye on the clock.

Keep up the good work!

Dave

i just put mine on wheel dollies so it can be moved around the shop when its in the way and im working on getting it so it will start up when i go over there so it dont freeze up on me

Looks REAL GOOD ! How do you keep it so dust free?

My project just passed it's 8th anniversary so I know where you're coming from. And I want to know, too, how you keep it looking so good? My frame has been under wraps all this time and it still looks like I've stored it in a chicken coop.

I don't have a shop big enough that the project can just sit in one place -- I'm having to move my chassis every now and then. So I keep it on a set of crappy tires and rims and that way it stays mobile.

I've also heard from several old timers storing a vehicle by jacking it up and blocking either the axles or the frame itself is bad -- causes fatigue stress. The vehicle was designed to sit on its suspension and the springs/shackles/perches, etc are the points designed to carry the stress loads. If you unload them and run the stress through parts of the frame that are NOT designed to carry the loads, you run the risk of inducing fatigue stress and possibly even cracking. In my own experience, I've stored several vehicles for long term (mainly while on overseas tours) and never had any problems letting the vehicle sit on it's suspension long term. Personally, I'd change out the wheels and tires, but other than that, I'd let the suspension do what it was designed to do.

Flat spots on the bearings? Does anyone have documentation of that?

V/R
John

You can keep the gas in it and just use a gas stabilizer. Now that you have the engine running it would be good to periodically run it for a short time anyway. I would be sure to change the oil every six months at least though since it is sitting. If the tires on it are not the ones you will be using I wouldn't worry about putting it on stands but if they are it is probably good to get them off the ground.

"Flat spots on the bearings? Does anyone have documentation of that?"

something related: I've experienced [in a wet climate with cold winters] that when the axle sits in one position for extended periods, the bearing parts exposed above the oil gradually lose the oily/greasy protection and pick up some corrosion from the condensation that'll happen from changing temps .... makes for problems when the bearings start turning high RPMs again and may be what's been interpreted as "flat spots"

it's helpful to move it around regularly if it's going to sit for a long time - takes care of the tires too

Bill

It looks like most of the tuff stuff is done.Great color.I agree with Sta-Bil in the gas,running it at times,and getting the weight off the tires and springs.WD-40 works well to keep moisture damage down.

When i store a running vehicle fo rlong periods of time, I like to use a fogging oil in the engine. Lots of boat shops use it for boat motors. You just spray it in a running engines carburetor until it it smokes like a bug sprayer, and keep spraying it down the carb until it kills or you turn it off. It coats the inside walls of the engine to keep them from oxidizing.

When you start the engine again when taking it out of storage it will smoke like crazy. That's the worst part. It's embarassing.

I get the tires off the ground and I like to use a fuel stabilizer on a full tank of gas and make sure it runs long enough to get into the carb.

I have fresh oil run through it to help remove all the moisture that has built up and contaminated the oils.

For short term, I just run a battery tender and start the car and drive it every month.

Oldchevylover: you are not alone. When I had my 37 at the stage yours is in now I would start it up and listen to the pipes "talk to me" until the engine got up to running temp. This would motivate me some and I would work some more. Then go to a cruise-in or show and then go home and work some more. Your truck is looking good. I say fire it up ever couple weeks and let it "talk to You". When I did my 37 (it took 5 years) I felt like I would never ride in it. Then finally, one day when no one else was around except me and "old blue" we took off down the road. The way it was suppose to be, just me and old blue. Man what a ride.

Here's the solution...
GET BUSY AND FINISH IT!!!
lol

Put some "static free" dryer sheets here and there it keeps away mice. It works ,they seem to last about 6 months. Mice have caused me more damage than anything else, even in a nice clean shop. Just my 2 cents.

I've run into several like red58 mentioned where the part of the ring gear in the oil was like new and the part in the air was rusted beyond using. I guess the lesson is to have jacked up to where the gears and bearings can be turned every so often to keep a lube film on them.

I use the static free fabric softner sheets in my camper. They work great for keeping the little critters out of stuff.