Winter Storeage?

[Paul T. Casey]

Hi. I was wondering how you guys manage to store your cars for the winter. I know the technical aspects, it's just the not driving it thing that bugs me. I've only been without mine since Sunday, and I'm going nuts. BTW, mine's not really in storeage, I'm in the Mod process. I've got the Denso IT's in, the thermostat is changed, I have an appointment for the pulleys (just too cold and/or wet for me to do it). and my reflashed computer is somewhere in a plane or truck between here and Orange Park. I just miss Maraudering around town, I know it won't last, and I know it'll be better than ever, but alas, the time spent apart.

[CRUZTAKER]

I store two cars extendedly. Including the MM.

The loooooong term car (Fiat spider): I put some 'gas stabil' in the tank. It is on jack stands. It has an auto trickle battery charger. It has mouse traps under the hood, and in the cockpit. It is covered.

The MM: Fuel 'stabil' added to tank. Plywood squares under the tires. Auto trickle charger installed. Mouse 'sticky' traps under the hood only. It is covered.

I don't start either car for any particular reason except an abnormally warm, dry, salt free day, and I'm in the mood to raise some hell.

Both cars get fresh oil before storage, and upon season end, I replace the oil, but not the filter (optional).

[jgc61sr2002]

My MM is not really in storage. It just doesn't come out in inclement weather. I do have two vehicles in extended storage a 1961 Pontiac Bonneville Conv. and a 1973 Oldsmobile Toronado. The most important factor is to have a dry garage.

[Rob1559]

Store your MM? Why?
I drive mine all year. Why not enjoy it everyday?

[dwasson]

Hi. I was wondering how you guys manage to store your cars for the winter. I know the technical aspects, it's just the not driving it thing that bugs me. I've only been without mine since Sunday, and I'm going nuts.

Yeah Paul, I sympathize so much. I've been driving a POS Cirrus and a Minivan since November. I drive with a paper bag over my head. I see the contempt on the faces of the people I pass on the freeway. If I was driving my Marauder they would show proper respect!

But then, as I look through the salt smeared windshield, while driving .5 mph in bumper to bumper traffic I realize that the Cirrus is proud to sacrifice it's life and sheet metal for the Marauder. Maybe by April I can drive it again.

Meanwhile, you can read my good night to may Marauder at:
Hibernation Tales (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=7151)

[Dr Caleb]

Store your MM? Why?
I drive mine all year. Why not enjoy it everyday?

I, for one, would love to. But I want to keep my MM for a long time. In that light, the roads around here in the winter are just no good for keeping a car like my MM looking good.

For example, we had freezing rain here over the weekend, Tuesday and yesterday.

http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/showphoto.php/photo/1701/password//sort/1/cat/500/page/1
http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/showphoto.php/photo/1698/password//sort/1/cat/500/page/1
http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/showphoto.php/photo/1700/password//sort/1/cat/500/page/1

To be able to drive at any speed faster than walking, the roads get covered with dirt. 10% - 12% salt and pea gravel. Pea gravel is what it sounds like, small bits of rock about the size of peas. When this stuff gets thrown up by the car in front of you, it does severe wear and tear on the front end, lights and windshield of your car. The windshield of my CV gets replaced about every 5 years, and is currently very badly pitted, with a crack running side to side. I even have dents in the roof from rocks. Suprisingly, the dents have no chips in the paint. (ya hear me Ford!)

If my MM were out on these roads, it would already need a new windshield and some major work on the paint of the hood and front end. That is the reason I kept my CV when I bought my MM. It's the winter beater now.