I have a 1972 El Camino w/350. I am storing the car in my grandfathers non-heated garage in Pa. When the car goes into storage it will have about 3000 miles on the oil which is in the engine. I plan to start the engine every week. My question is should I change the oil before or after the winter storage. Is there anything else I should do to the car before or after storage.

Thanks

Why not change the oil Before AND After Storage? Oil and Filters are pretty cheap.

I agree, as cheap as oil and a filter are, I would change them before and after. Also, You should fill the tank with fresh gas, and try to keep it topped off to prevent condensation/rust from forming inside. I would raise the car up on jackstands high enough to get the tires off the ground if it will not be driven. And of course it won't hurt anything to change the tranny fluid and differential fluid after winter.

I agree, as cheap as oil and a filter are, I would change them before and after. Also, You should fill the tank with fresh gas, and try to keep it topped off to prevent condensation/rust from forming inside. I would raise the car up on jackstands high enough to get the tires off the ground if it will not be driven. And of course it won't hurt anything to change the tranny fluid and differential fluid after winter.

egad! Is it that time of year again?
Time to dust off another webpage here at Team Chevelle.... go to:
http://chevelles.com/shop/winterize.html for a few more thoughts on the subject.... geesh, I only put about 70 miles on my SS this year... that's actually illegal isn't it? This webstuff seems to be cutting into some serious cruising time!
hmm, maybe tomorrow.

Agree with all of above, also when you start it , be sure to run it long enough (20 min ??)to heat it up completely or you may form acids and condensation etc. in the oil and make things worse rather than better

After posting a reply here I read the above mentioned URL and agree with it, but here is my post as I originally typed it:

I would park it and leave it sit until you are ready to get it out of storage. Starting it will only cause condensation which leads to rust. Leave it alone, do not start it. It's the best way to store it when not using a heated garage. I live in Minnesota and have been doing this for quite awhile. It's the best thing to do in my opinion. Also make sure you have a perfect 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water. You would hate to have the block crack in the cold. The gas tank full is also the best idea.

[This message has been edited by Scooter (edited 09-23-98).]

I agree with Scooter. Just walk away. You will cause more grief if you run it standing still.
If you get rain during winter and the salt washes away like where I am then I you take the car out and get the engine, trans, rear, rad fluids to operating temperture if you need a fix to drive before summer.

About raising the car up, just raise it enough to take the weight off the wheels.
Don't raise the wheels off the ground, it will cause more stress on the front end and the shock rods could rust from being fully exposed to air.

Mark