JHawk Posted November 4, 2019 Report Share Posted November 4, 2019 We have never done this before, first off. I would much rather have her at home, but the wife wants both daily drivers inside when the weather is bad. So I get it. Anyway, found a space at a very near iStorage facility. A 10 x 20 foot space that is available for $109 per month. A month-to-month type of deal. Anyone have experience doing this? I plan on checking on her weekly, if not every other week, since she will be close. I will want to start her up and run her - drive her if possible (when the roads are totally dry and clear). I will add some Stabil 360 to a full tank of BP 93 octane gas. In the past, folks talk about placing mothballs under the car to keep mice away - if that is a concern. I have a small air compressor that i can take with me each time I go and check on her to keep the tires full. Car cover? What else? If I was leaving her for a month at a time - or worse, without checking on her, that would perhaps be different. Help or ideas????? Thank you in advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macman756 Posted November 4, 2019 Report Share Posted November 4, 2019 Yeah its not that big of deal. I rent a similar unit, 10x25. I leave it for sometimes 6+ months at a time without ever seeing it. The storage unit is in a different state and I travel constantly for work so thats just how it worked out. Definitely disconnect the battery, the drain to run the modules (keyless entry etc) will for sure drain the battery and strain the alternator if you keep jumping. I never add Stabil but do realize the gas will be stale every time and make sure to fill up with fresh gas every time I do pull it out. I wash it and put the car cover on it when it's totally dried. Lock it and disconnect the battery. I do have some minor flat spotting on my sticky tires but that goes away fast when you start driving. Mothballs I never bothered with either since these are aluminum buildings usually and mice can't really get in. No wood or drywall to easily chew through and the car is sealed up. You could leave it for a year without checking on it, it'd be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHawk Posted November 6, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2019 Thanks Macman. We put her away yesterday afternoon. Did the Mouse Magic thing, the dryer sheets thing, the steel wool in the exhaust pipes thing, the Sta-Bil thing, and set a few mouse traps. Hopefully good to go. Crazy thing is that it will be around 60 degrees here in KC the next few days. Saturday, I may get her out for the weekend anyway. I feel I should and want to do this whenever the weather is good, the temps are Ok and the streets are clean. I really want to enjoy it when conditions are right. Having said that, the low next Monday night will be 17 degrees in KC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrewnagle1964 Posted November 7, 2019 Report Share Posted November 7, 2019 https://www.raceramps.com/car-storage/ramps/p/flatstoppers/?msclkid=98c0d72da5ce1d1338858ae9d2652d44 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobjshelbys Posted November 7, 2019 Report Share Posted November 7, 2019 (edited) Over inflate the tires to 36. That doesn't exceed the tire's rating (always on the sidewall). Stabil in the gas is much better replaced with just simply turning it over and running the engine until it gets to normal operating temp. Back it out of the garage and warm it up. Drive it a couple of blocks if you can. Don't disconnect the battery. Get a C-Tek battery tender and keep it on, but if you run it every few weeks that's a non-issue. If the battery is more than 3 or 4 years old consider replacing it. But do realize that disconnecting the battery will reset the adaptive emissions so if you have OBDII emissions replace the battery and run the drive cycle BEFORE putting it into storage (with the battery tender) or you'll have to do the drive cycle before your next test which is always unplanned and stressful. I sometimes didn't actually even turn my GT over for a couple of months at a time and it never had any issues. Edited November 7, 2019 by twobjshelbys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mongoose Posted November 7, 2019 Report Share Posted November 7, 2019 For keeping mice away there is also a product out there called Freshcab that I use and it seems to work pretty good. People also use stuff like Bounce fabric softener sheets, and also if I remember right, Zest soap bars or silvers of it, and of course moth balls to, but I don’t really think there good to breath in so be fore warned and I wouldn’t use them inside the car. Yes, I pump up my tires to prevent flat-spotting and fill the tank up with premium and I always use a good fuel stabilizer, you never really know for sure the quality of the gas coming out that pump. Yes, it always good to use a good battery tender. Hopes this helps anybody looking to store vehicles, motor cycles or whatever you have with a motor. Also, just a heads up, I think if your interested Freshcab is available at the Menards store. Later! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHawk Posted November 8, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2019 Thank you everyone for your ideas and experiences. The Mouse Magic peppermint packets are strong! It even irritated my eyes a bit. I placed a packet on top of each tire as the guy at Suburban Lawn and Garden stated. Spread some dryer sheets inside and outside the car, two mousetraps and steel wool in each of the exhaust tips. I do plan on getting her out when the streets are clear and zero threat of any precipitation. It is only 22 degrees here this morning (KC), but tomorrow 61 and Sunday 57. So i am going to get her out and bring her home for the weekend. i hope to do that often. you never know what winters in Kansas City are going to be like. Having said all that, I love this car. It is a lifelong dream fulfilled. So you can bet I will do whatever I can to preserve her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macman756 Posted November 8, 2019 Report Share Posted November 8, 2019 22 hours ago, twobjshelbys said: Over inflate the tires to 36. That doesn't exceed the tire's rating (always on the sidewall). Stabil in the gas is much better replaced with just simply turning it over and running the engine until it gets to normal operating temp. Back it out of the garage and warm it up. Drive it a couple of blocks if you can. Don't disconnect the battery. Get a C-Tek battery tender and keep it on, but if you run it every few weeks that's a non-issue. If the battery is more than 3 or 4 years old consider replacing it. But do realize that disconnecting the battery will reset the adaptive emissions so if you have OBDII emissions replace the battery and run the drive cycle BEFORE putting it into storage (with the battery tender) or you'll have to do the drive cycle before your next test which is always unplanned and stressful. I sometimes didn't actually even turn my GT over for a couple of months at a time and it never had any issues. battery disconnect is better than just leaving it, me and the OP are at istorage type places, no power for a trickle charger. But agreed, trickle is very nice in saving the battery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhr1961 Posted November 9, 2019 Report Share Posted November 9, 2019 If you are super particular about your Shelby, I wouldn’t take a chance on sticking steel wool in the exhaust tips. If the tips are chrome or stainless steel and your steel wool which is usually just cheap carbon steel, you will have dissimilar metal contact and if left in place it may set the stage for some galvanic corrosion. You you wont be able to remove the stains, pits or discoloration. Not saying it will happen but it could happen. If you insist on blocking them I would suggest wrapping the steel wool in plastic or a microfiber rag to prevent contact of dissimilar metals……..you might end up with something like what happened with stainless steel hood pins being fastened to aluminum hoods with stainless steel screws…we all know how well that worked out……. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHawk Posted November 11, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2019 On 11/8/2019 at 7:25 PM, mhr1961 said: If you are super particular about your Shelby, I wouldn’t take a chance on sticking steel wool in the exhaust tips. If the tips are chrome or stainless steel and your steel wool which is usually just cheap carbon steel, you will have dissimilar metal contact and if left in place it may set the stage for some galvanic corrosion. You you wont be able to remove the stains, pits or discoloration. Not saying it will happen but it could happen. If you insist on blocking them I would suggest wrapping the steel wool in plastic or a microfiber rag to prevent contact of dissimilar metals……..you might end up with something like what happened with stainless steel hood pins being fastened to aluminum hoods with stainless steel screws…we all know how well that worked out……. Thanks! Yes, I wrapped up the steel wool balls with old microfiber small cloths when I put her back in the lock-up yesterday afternoon. Great recommendation! Had some guy in an old souped up Chevy pickup roll by as i was detailing the car. He just flat nailed his accelerator to make sure I noticed him. Crazy the full spectrum of responses folks have to seeing these cars. Everything from smiles and thumbs-up to out-and-out anger and hostility toward them. Weird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ford Fest Posted November 12, 2019 Report Share Posted November 12, 2019 Hey JHawk, Great looking Shelby! It’s going to be cold here in KC tonight. Glad you were able to get it out over the weekend. Be sure to stay out of boost this spring until you use up all of the fuel from the winter storage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHawk Posted November 12, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2019 10 hours ago, Ford Fest said: Hey JHawk, Great looking Shelby! It’s going to be cold here in KC tonight. Glad you were able to get it out over the weekend. Be sure to stay out of boost this spring until you use up all of the fuel from the winter storage. 10 hours ago, Ford Fest said: Hey JHawk, Great looking Shelby! It’s going to be cold here in KC tonight. Glad you were able to get it out over the weekend. Be sure to stay out of boost this spring until you use up all of the fuel from the winter storage. Will do. Too cold to trust the tires anyway! Going to the Mecum auction in early December. I want to demonstrate to the wife that these cars are special. AND... we are going to Ford vs. Ferrari this weekend so she can get a sense of who Carroll Shelby was. We went to the Vegas Shelby mecca a few months ago and she is beginning to see what I mean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noac Posted January 4, 2020 Report Share Posted January 4, 2020 I know this thread is old but I have stored cars for years with great results and wanted to pass on some tips... -place large plastic tarps underneath the car and a wooden board on top of the plastic....park car over top of this....it will completely block any moisture from coming up through the concrete -store with as little to almost no gas at all so when you bring it out of storage you can fill with fresh fuel right away -cover car -spray WD-40 or a similar product all over the natural parts of the engine bay...prevents oxidation and will wipe right off in Spring -disconnect battery -do not start the car until you pull from storage...starting a car is one of the worst pieces of advice when storing a car...just let it be.... -over inflate tires -to disconnect battery open door, pop hood close door, then disconnect battery... common sense of course but the point is to close door before you disconnect battery so the window closes after you close door....also put small grease or gasoline on battery cable so they don’t oxidize -contact your insurance and let them know where the car is and that you will not be driving it....may be able to save some money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHawk Posted January 7, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2020 On 1/4/2020 at 8:42 AM, noac said: I know this thread is old but I have stored cars for years with great results and wanted to pass on some tips... -place large plastic tarps underneath the car and a wooden board on top of the plastic....park car over top of this....it will completely block any moisture from coming up through the concrete -store with as little to almost no gas at all so when you bring it out of storage you can fill with fresh fuel right away -cover car -spray WD-40 or a similar product all over the natural parts of the engine bay...prevents oxidation and will wipe right off in Spring -disconnect battery -do not start the car until you pull from storage...starting a car is one of the worst pieces of advice when storing a car...just let it be.... -over inflate tires -to disconnect battery open door, pop hood close door, then disconnect battery... common sense of course but the point is to close door before you disconnect battery so the window closes after you close door....also put small grease or gasoline on battery cable so they don’t oxidize -contact your insurance and let them know where the car is and that you will not be driving it....may be able to save some money. Thank you for the advice. So far, this has been a very mild winter in Kansas. Several 50 to 60 degree days over the Holidays. No salt on the roads around here. So, I can't resist a pretty couple of days. I have gotten the Shelby out a few times due to the nice weather. I always keep her clean before placing her back in her building. I do fill her up with BP 93 octane fuel, and add Sta-Bil to the full tank before I lock her up. I even took her to the dealership for oil/filter change, topping off the fluids, changing the cabin filter - the basics, on one of the 50 degree, and sunny, days. I realize the weather will become winter, for real, at some point. But if the opportunity presents itself, I like to get her out and drive her a bit. i hope that is OK to do... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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