winterizing the cobra

[egchewy79]

also posted on the other forum

for those who don't live in FL, AZ, or CA, what do you do to winterize your car?

I'll be using a battery tender for sure, but...



Sta-bil in the fuel?

On jack stands to prevent flat spots on the tires?

start the car intermittently and let the oil warm up?



And in the spring, is there a need to prime the oil pump if you let it sit all winter?

Best way to do this w/o pulling the dizzy?

Can I turn off the fuel pump (on a kill switch) and disconnect the coil wire and let it crank for a bit?

Or do I need to do this at all?

[Jeff Kleiner]

My procedure for after the last drive of the season:

1. Pull into the garage and shut off the engine.
2. Remove the key.
3. Close the garage door.
4. Turn off the light.

In the spring I reverse the procedure. It’s worked flawlessly for 14 years.

Jeff

[frankeeski]

My procedure for after the last drive of the season:

1. Pull into the garage and shut off the engine.
2. Remove the key.
3. Close the garage door.
4. Turn off the light.

In the spring I reverse the procedure. It’s worked flawlessly for 14 years.

Jeff

That's perfect brother. Love it!

[egchewy79]

My procedure for after the last drive of the season:

1. Pull into the garage and shut off the engine.
2. Remove the key.
3. Close the garage door.
4. Turn off the light.

In the spring I reverse the procedure. It’s worked flawlessly for 14 years.

Jeff

No battery tender?

[nucjd19]

My procedure for after the last drive of the season:

1. Pull into the garage and shut off the engine.
2. Remove the key.
3. Close the garage door.
4. Turn off the light.

In the spring I reverse the procedure. It’s worked flawlessly for 14 years.

Jeff

Just awesome!

[rtbellah]

No real need to winterize if you build it correctly...
153742
just a heavy jacket:p

[Fixit]

My procedure for after the last drive of the season:

1. Pull into the garage and shut off the engine.
2. Remove the key.
3. Close the garage door.
4. Turn off the light.

In the spring I reverse the procedure. It’s worked flawlessly for 14 years.

X2... but all kidding aside I do add a couple of procedures to Jeff's regiment. (I live another 650 miles north of him near Minneapolis, and it does get friggin' COLD up here. We'll usually get a stretch in late January where it is 10-below zero or colder for 2 weeks.)

My adds:
- Check your antifreeze/coolant with a hydrometer. Make sure it's good for anticipated temps.
- Run the tank down as far as possible before storage day.
- Add the correct amount of "Storage" version Sta-bil to the tank (adding the correct amount for a FULL tank).
- Fill the tank with non-oxy good stuff and enjoy your last ride of the season home. (Gets the stuff mixed in and throughout the system too).
- Park the car where it's gonna be for 3 or 4 months.
Heated garage - Disconnect the battery, give it a pat on the fender and walk away.
Un-heated garage - Pull the battery (store it in the house), give it a pat on the fender and walk away.
(I will connect a "Battery Tender" to it for a few hours every month. Seems to keep 'em "alive".)

I do the same procedure with all the power toys around here (obvious things omitted depending on the equipment). Never had a problem.

I will strongly suggest the fuel stabilizer. Today's gasoline is crap with all the additives & ethanol. Other than the exhaust smelling a bit funny, never had a spring startup issue with any of the equipment in 30+ years.

[rich grsc]

My procedure for after the last drive of the season:

1. Pull into the garage and shut off the engine.
2. Remove the key.
3. Close the garage door.
4. Turn off the light.

In the spring I reverse the procedure. It’s worked flawlessly for 14 years.

Jeff
The same, with the exception of an oil change first. ;)

[JohnnyB]

I’ll take a different tack and suggest getting a soft top so you can enjoy the car a few more months every year. I usually install mine in October and remove it April or May. It typically gets me an extra three to five hundred miles every year. I only drive it when the roads are dry but that usually includes at least a few days in deepest winter. Come February it does the soul good to get out in the Cobra.

[johnnybgoode]

also posted on the other forum

for those who don't live in FL, AZ, or CA, what do you do to winterize your car?

I'll be using a battery tender for sure, but...



Sta-bil in the fuel?

On jack stands to prevent flat spots on the tires?

start the car intermittently and let the oil warm up?



And in the spring, is there a need to prime the oil pump if you let it sit all winter?

Best way to do this w/o pulling the dizzy?

Can I turn off the fuel pump (on a kill switch) and disconnect the coil wire and let it crank for a bit?

Or do I need to do this at all?

A battery tender for sure but I usually don't start any of my cars once they are set for storage, especially if it's below freezing and condensation could occur. Cars are usually fine to sit for 3-4 months over the winter without much prep. I usually roll them forward or back a foot every month or so to help the tires stay round and add an extra 10 psi or so prior to parking. You shouldn't really need to reprime the motor but I do spin mine over on the starter a bit before hitting the ignition (I can build 50 psi on the starter). Invest in a good cover and keep an eye out for mice. I always leave a couple of traps set. My 2 cents. Scott

[GoDadGo]

Winter, What's Winter!

We have Duck Season, Hurricane season & Gee I Need A Jacket Season.

Isaac 2012
https://www.facebook.com/dlarmann/videos/3548677877651/

Sorry gang, but I don't have any video for Ida which was on August 29th, 2021.

[cob427sc]

Remeber back in the late 90's/early 20's FFR would have a winter get together at the factory. People would be=ring their cars from all over in absolutely friggin cold weather, usually without tops or heaters since they weren't available back then. My procedure has been to buy a warm hat and coat and plan on driving it at least once a month year round, although I will admit climate change has made it more enjoyable!

[nucjd19]

Remeber back in the late 90's/early 20's FFR would have a winter get together at the factory. People would be=ring their cars from all over in absolutely friggin cold weather, usually without tops or heaters since they weren't available back then. My procedure has been to buy a warm hat and coat and plan on driving it at least once a month year round, although I will admit climate change has made it more enjoyable!

Living in Alabama I can pretty much drive year round with maybe 1 month where it might be a little too cold to go for a long drive. So I plan on winterizing my rig like Jeff :)

[CFranks]

All I do is put Sta-bil in because I’ve had issues in past of carb getting clogged with ethanol goo. Doesn’t hurt and makes me feel like I’m doing something!

I heard intermittently starting her up actually is worse than doing nothing as it’ll introduce water into oil. I was also told by one of the resident experts on here that if you’re having a bad day in the winter and need to hear your car running, that’s more important then any potential minor risk and should go for it!

S

[SourceLee]

A battery tender for sure but I usually don't start any of my cars once they are set for storage, especially if it's below freezing and condensation could occur. Cars are usually fine to sit for 3-4 months over the winter without much prep. I usually roll them forward or back a foot every month or so to help the tires stay round and add an extra 10 psi or so prior to parking. You shouldn't really need to reprime the motor but I do spin mine over on the starter a bit before hitting the ignition (I can build 50 psi on the starter). Invest in a good cover and keep an eye out for mice. I always leave a couple of traps set. My 2 cents. Scott

Almost a mirror image of Johnny’s playbook
-Battery tender
-Car cover
-Full tank with Stabil
-Roll mine back and forth. I thought I had the patent on this!
-Jack stands if I’ll be working underneath the car during the off season
-No starting until spring
-Spring first start. I pull ignition coil and crank the engine for 5-10 sec. 50 psi easy

I attempt to polish the chrome before tucking her away for the winter. It never works though. Come spring it’s always hazy.
I’ve had mice issues with other cars but none with the Cobra. However I did find a kitten in the engine compartment once. Kitten?!? Since then I religiously check the engine compartment before starting the engine. ?!? IS THAT A KITTEN?!?

[steno]

Same as Kleiner...almost,, I put a cover on it and leave the keys in the ignition.

[edwardb]

I combine my annual maintenance with winterizing. So kind of a mixed bag compared to the minimal approaches some have listed here. Our driving season here in Michigan typically ends in late October/early November. And can start back up as early as late March or even a month or two later. So I like to have it ready to go whenever the weather and road conditions (e.g. salt washed away) allows. Annual maintenance for me mainly includes looking over the chassis for anything loose or whatever. Greasing all the fittings. Very important for these cars. Changing the oil, which I do annually regardless or mileage. Checking the balance of fluids. Adding Stabil to the basically full tank and running a bit so it's all through the lines and engine. Then up on Race Ramps FlatStoppers for the winter. When I used to store off-site in unheated space, I removed the battery and kept in my basement. But now with a relatively mild temp garage shop, I leave it in the car. I do hit it with a charger a couple times through the winter (I use a CTEK Multi US 7002) just to make sure it's still alive. I agree with the comments to never start the car during the storage time. Not related to winter storage or maintenance, but I typically have a couple projects for the winter, e.g. to fix something, upgrade something, whatever. Have a couple things on the schedule for the Coupe this winter.