Advice on storing Cobra in Milwaukee

[Engineer Ed]

OK, I've recently moved from Tampa, FL to Milwaukee, WI.
Basically I've lived my entire life in the Sunshine state except for a 6 year stint in Germany with the US Army.

I'm getting ready to put my Cobra away for the winter and wanted some advice on an effective, yet easy means of storage.

I plan to store the Cobra in my 23' trailer.
In brief, here are the steps I plan to take to "winterize" her.
Please offer your advice if I need to make changes.

1. Remove race mixture and add fresh coolant.
2. Fill gas tank
3. Add Sta-Bil
4. Drive car a few miles to mix Sta-Bil with gas.
5. Air up tires to 40psi.
6. Load car in trailer.
7. Turn off fuel pump and run fuel out of carburetor
8. Remove air cleaner and coil wire.
9. Spray generous amounts of WD40 into carburetor and turn engine over to pull fumes into cylinders.
10. Reinstall air cleaner and pull battery (store inside fully charged / battery tender).

Any thoughts or suggestions?
I'm assuming she will sit for 5-6 months or until after the spring thaw?
I plan to change the oil before taking her out for the first time....

Ed

[madmaxx]

Move out of Wisconsin!!!

I would make sure your trailer is water tight. Make sure no rodents make a home in it over the long cold winter.

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

Cap your exhaust pipe outlets, or stuff 'em with something that is 'rodentproof' (maybe steel wool). You might want to remove the rocker assy on each side to relieve the valve spring pressure, and make sure the trailer is secure from theft.

[Engineer Ed]

If I understand you guys correctly, the only thing I was missing was locking a cat in my trailer???
Cool!

[Capgard]

The first year I stored my Mustang I had a mouse spent the winter in my shaker hood scoop. The years following that I use chunks of Irish Spring soap in any openings and the interior, and no more mice. And the interior smelled pretty good when I cracked it open in the spring.

[Engineer Ed]

I still like the cat idea.

[Tom Wells]

Evinrude,

Condolences

Did you get the British magazine with the Gainesville track day article?

Tom

[aspenbubba]

I heard that putting moth balls under the car would keep mice from nesting over the winter.

[Bob In Ct]

I would change the oil in the fall, but that's just my opinion. Why the WD-40 into the engine?


Bob

[Engineer Ed]

I figured changing the oil in the spring would remove any water that accumulated over the winter (condensation).

The WD40 is to coat the cylinder walls with "Water Displacement" to minimize rust formation.

The moth balls are a good idea.
This might be a dumb question, but how would mice get into my trailer if it is closed and locked?
The doors seal tight and there are no holes in the floor......

Ed

[torre44]

a friend mine stored his car in trailer and had rust show up on chrome. you should make sure of good ventilation or dehumidifer. maybe spray crc on chrome. not much chrome on the cobras but i store mine inside garage.

[55312]

Just a couple of things I do besides those you listed. I put sandwich bags over the ends of the pipes and use rubber bands to seal them tight. Mice hate sandwich bags for some reason. I also "rake" the snow off the top of the trailer. Believe it or not, they make snow rakes. Most trailers are not really made to deal with 3 feet of snow on the roof and sometimes the interior roof liner will sag and dump sawdust on the car. I use a car cover inside the trailer to keep it clean. Also, crack the roof vent to prevent fuel fumes from building up.

Tim

[LRcobradreamer]

Consider using an oil to "fog" the engine like they do for boats, instead of WD40. I am not sure what they use, but a marine dealer should know or have it on his shelf.

I think changing the oil in the spring is better, since this will get any possible water from condensation out of the engine.

I keep mine in the semi heated garage, in a sealed bag from Calif. Car Cover Co. Drive it on, put the normal cover on, then pull the top of the bag over the Cobra and zip it up. Bag is treated to reduce corrision and the treatment in the bag should last for five years.

Lee

[Paul F]

"This might be a dumb question, but how would mice get into my trailer if it is closed and locked?"

Ed, as someone who deals with telco equipment boxes on the side of the road, I can tell you that mice will infiltrate into the smallest crack (or make one) and cause big damage. Even if you think it is tight, check it once in a while. Put some traps inside along the perimeter. Can't hurt.

I really like the car bag idea. The trailer will get plenty moist. Good opportunity for moldy carpeting, rusty chrome

[Paul F]

One more thing.. I recall someone else storing their Cobra in a trailer complaining of water mysteriously getting on the vehicle, even though it was water tight. We concluded it was condensation. Keep something over it to keep the drops off or get the car baggie.

[powerslide]

Hi Ed,
In my SPF footnotes one of the suggested things to do is; once a week take a socket wrench ( I think its either 13/16 or 15/16) and rotate the engine a quarter of a turn, in the clockwise direction. This helps to extend valve spring life expectancy.
I can't wait until January or February, when its -20 outside and I have to go out into the garage to rotate the motor!

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by powerslide

In my SPF footnotes one of the suggested things to do is; once a week take a socket wrench ( I think its either 13/16 or 15/16) and rotate the engine a quarter of a turn, in the clockwise direction. This helps to extend valve spring life expectancy.

You don't need to do that. But if you feel you must, just put a bump switch across the starter solenoid and tap the button once a week.

[Ronbo]

Run an extention cord out to the trailer and put one or two 40w light bulbs under the car and put a heavy cover over it. This will keep the temp slightly above the surrounding air - no condensation.

Also wouldn't hurt to insulate the inside of the trailer with some of that sheet styrofoam to slow the temp swings between night and day.

[Rick Parker]

Ship car to California, we will show it a GOOD winter.

[CobraDan]

Ed,
I'm just getting ready for the winter months driving to hot and rainy in the summer months and this weekend trip to the Reptile Roundup. See you this Friday. They say put 45 lbs of air in your tires to keep from getting flat spots.
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