54 wintrize and fuel line

[Guy M.]

What do you folks do to put the 54 up for winter? Also, when changing out fuel pump, do you pinch the flex line to stop the gas from flying everywhere or maybe install an inline shutoff? Thanks as always

[Paul J.]

Re: 54 wintrize and fuel line

Guy, you'll get a lot of opinions on this. Add Sta-bil and run it long enough the get it into the carburator. I will also change the oil if it's near the change time (around two years for my usage of the car). Check the coolant to make sure that it's still good. No need to take the weight off of the suspension although some people will do it. Check the archives because there was a good discussion on this about a year or so ago.

You can pinch the line although I don't like to because it can damage the line. I have several plastic plugs from new/recon parts from the parts store which I use to plug the end of the flex line. I cover the end with my thumb and ease the plug in. Very little spillage.

Paul

[Guy M.]

Re: 54 wintrize and fuel line

Thanks Paul, thats what I needed to know

[Ronald L.]

Re: 54 wintrize and fuel line

Paul, filled the BB up with 110 octane and sta bil treated just this morning. But before it goes up on jack stands I'll give November a shot for a nice dry weekend or two.

There is one thing about a smooth running big block in cold weather, you never are cold inside the car.

[Russ S.]

Re: 54 wintrize and fuel line

Paul, filled the BB up with 110 octane and sta bil treated just this morning. But before it goes up on jack stands I'll give November a shot for a nice dry weekend or two.

There is one thing about a smooth running big block in cold weather, you never are cold inside the car.

I have read that sta bil is only good if after you put it in the fuel the car is not moved at all. The reason was because stab bil puts an air tight coating on the top of the fuel and when it gets disturbed it breaks up that coating thus defeating its protection. The article said that sea foam was a better product because it mixes with the fuel and protects it that way. All I really know is what I read in the article.

[Ronald L.]

Re: 54 wintrize and fuel line

Russ, Think about that for a second, what do you do with that air tight coating next spring that has to be cow dunk.

Its soluble, you pour it in and then fill up the tank.

Now - back in the day - GM put gasoline in every car, to get it out the door and to the dealer - it has to had a preservative so the gasoline would not turn sour, rancid, oxidized and gum up the car while it sat on the lot. We call it lot rot to this day.
I know what those exact chemicals were the gasoline companies used as we had to verify each lot that they actually had the stuff in there because it was bad news if they just happened to "forget".

Sta bil is the best known brand that is supposed to achieve this objective and from what I see fall to spring with lawn mowers and other engines as well as cars - it works. I also have the evidence where I own a car a long way from here where they do not have this kind of product and what a stink that old gas makes after a year sitting, worse, two years.

[John S.]

Re: 54 wintrize and fuel line

with the use of no-lead gas there has been no need for stable. for the last 30 years i have never used stable when storing lawnmowers, bikes and cars during the winter and i never had a vehicle fail to start. some vehicles only get run once a year and have the same gas for several years. a battery disconnect, a bar of irish spring to deter mice, and the use of green board underneath the vehicle for a moisture barrier are good for winter storage. it does not hurt during the winter to put car in neutral and move it a foot so that the tires are rotated.

[Brett H.]

Re: 54 wintrize and fuel line

I live in IN and always start the cars every two weeks or so during the cold months. I drive them around the block a few times as well, as long as the roads are dry.

These things need to move under their own power as often as can be done in order to keep things lubricated and working.

[Joe R.]

Re: 54 wintrize and fuel line

I live in IN and always start the cars every two weeks or so during the cold months. I drive them around the block a few times as well, as long as the roads are dry.

These things need to move under their own power as often as can be done in order to keep things lubricated and working.

Brett,

You may want to consider driving them further. You want to get the oil good and hot to boil off any moisture. Otherwise, you're better off letting them sit for the winter, assuming you changed the oil in the fall.

Joe

[Jim L.]

Re: 54 wintrize and fuel line

When I park my '54 I never know if it's going to be for a week, a month, or for the winter. Regardless, I always do the same thing: I hook up a 6 Volt battery tender and walk away.

Gasoline is usable for at least a year, so there is no reason I've ever found to do anything to it. And, as another poster indicated, unless you can drive the car long enough to get it completely warmed up, it's better for the car to sit un-started and un-driven.

So I hook up a battery tender and that's it. Never a problem.

Jim

Edit: I do keep a capacious drip pan under the '54 at all times just in case the Powerglide decides to do something untoward during one of the longer periods of sitting.

[Paul J.]

Re: 54 wintrize and fuel line

When I park my '54 I never know if it's going to be for a week, a month, or for the winter. Regardless, I always do the same thing: I hook up a 6 Volt battery tender and walk away.

Gasoline is usable for at least a year, so there is no reason I've ever found to do anything to it. And, as another poster indicated, unless you can drive the car long enough to get it completely warmed up, it's better for the car to sit un-started and un-driven.

So I hook up a battery tender and that's it. Never a problem.

Jim

Thanks Jim, I forgot to remind Guy about the battery. Some people will take them out, but it's not necessary. The battery Tender makes it easy.

[Paul J.]

Re: 54 wintrize and fuel line

with the use of no-lead gas there has been no need for stable. for the last 30 years i have never used stable when storing lawnmowers, bikes and cars during the winter and i never had a vehicle fail to start.

I too, have never had any "starting" problems when not using Sta-Bil. I have also never torn down a carburator just to see if there is any difference in oxidation or gumming up by using Sta-Bil or not using it.

However, it's cheap and it can't hurt. So rather than take a chance I'll keep on using it.

[Brett H.]

Re: 54 wintrize and fuel line

Brett,

You may want to consider driving them further. You want to get the oil good and hot to boil off any moisture. Otherwise, you're better off letting them sit for the winter, assuming you changed the oil in the fall.

Joe

Hi Joe. I agree 100%. I should have made myself more clear. You have to make sure that everything is up to operationg temp whenever you take them out.

[Joe R.]

Re: 54 wintrize and fuel line

Hi Joe. I agree 100%. I should have made myself more clear. You have to make sure that everything is up to operationg temp whenever you take them out.

Hi Brett,

Good deal! A few blocks can easily turn into a buncha miles when you're having a good time.

Joe

[Guy M.]

Re: 54 wintrize and fuel line

Thanks folks, what a wealth of experience here! In my case since I have 3 cars in a 2 car garage the 54 sits sideways in the winter and is difficult to move even on dollys. Maybe Ill just let it sit. It usually would last only 5 months. Any more info on the 6-volt battery tender? What do you use? I have an old 6 volt charger but I dont think I want to use that for very long.