- Engine Care
Another common area of misconception is proper
engine storage. Some of the confusion comes from the fact that the
Corvette has been around for almost 50 years. During those 50 years,
automotive technology and electronics have experienced enormous growth
and change. As a result, different generations of Corvette have
different needs when it comes to care and maintenance.
Based upon
conversations we had with owners of both old and new Corvettes, the
majority of owners of Corvettes prior to the 1984 model year prefer to
remove their spark plugs and squirt a small amount of motor oil into the
cylinders. In order to understand why they do this, you need to
understand the general purpose of an engine lubricant.
The main
function of motor oil is to reduce friction between two metal surfaces
in motion. Some of these metal surfaces can have microscopic high points
or peaks. When these metal surfaces rub together, enough heat can be
produced to actually weld those peaks together. The peaks can be broken
off, dragged and re-welded over and over again. This is known as
scuffing, which can eventually cause permanent engine
damage.
Over time, the lubricant film that lines the cylinder
walls underneath the piston, gradually recedes leaving the walls
exposed. As the piston travels up and down the cylinder upon startup, a
few critical seconds exist where two metal surfaces are rubbing together
without proper lubrication. You now have an ideal environment for
scuffing to occur. To prevent this, owners believe that removing the
spark plugs and squirting a small amount of oil into each cylinder can
help prevent this from occurring. It all seems to make sense, right?
If it did, we would expect the
owners of newer Corvettes to practice this same method. Not so. Based
upon conversations with owners of 1984 Corvettes and up, other than
changing the oil and filter, removing the spark plugs and adding a small
amount of oil to each cylinder was rarely mentioned. This could be due
to several possibilities. Are the spark plugs much harder to reach on an
LT1 or LS1 engine as compared to an old 1968 L36 big block? Or has
technology advanced far enough that today's engines are able to stay
lubricated longer during extended periods of inactivity? To help us
understand the proper way to prepare an engine for long-term storage, we
spoke to David A. Scott, Senior Service Engineer, at General Motors
Service Parts Operations. He suggested that if an engine is to be stored
for nine months or longer, "remove the spark plugs and add approximately
one (1) ounce of engine oil to each cylinder. The engine should be
rotated just after adding the oil to the cylinders. The purpose of this
step is to coat the cylinder bore to protect against rust formation
during storage. Also note, this procedure is repeated after extended (18
months and longer) storage before start up. These steps were recommended
by both the Base Systems Engineer and the Fuels and Lubricants
Engineer."
- Battery
Owners of older Corvettes usually unplug and
sometimes remove their batteries during long periods of storage which
they feel works well for them. If you choose to remove the battery, do
not place the battery directly on a concrete floor. Concrete has a
tendency to discharge a battery which is the exact same thing you're
trying to avoid by leaving it connected to the car. Use a piece of
wood between the battery and the floor. Because batteries produce
hydrogen gas which is flammable, do not store the battery where it
will be exposed to open flame, or where it is exposed to children.
Some owners of newer Corvettes (1984 to the present) feel that
battery disconnection and/or removal isn't a good idea given the large
amount of onboard circuits in newer Corvettes. They prefer to use a
"Battery Tender".
 The Battery Tender, produced by Halon
Marketing, Inc., is a 1.25 amp battery charger capable of fully
charging a battery and maintaining the batteries optimal charge. The
unit is small, compact and comes with a 5-year warranty from the
manufacturer. The Battery Tender can be purchased from the National Corvette Museum for $59.95.
We asked
David Scott at GM if battery disconnection was a viable option for
newer Corvettes. "Actually, it is because there are circuits using
power when the vehicle is "off". Without a "Battery Tender" as you
mentioned, the circuits would drain a battery in about 30 - 40 days.
General Motors does not require / mandate that an owner have a charger
going. We have typically recommended disconnecting the
battery."
- Fluid Levels
Make sure to top off all fluid levels.
These include coolant, brake fluid, clutch/transmission fluid and most
importantly, oil and fuel. Over time, motor oil can become
contaminated by dust, condensation, and even antifreeze and metallic
shavings. Some motor oils contain additives which can break down over
time and also act as contaminants. As these contaminants accumulate in
the oil, sludge can form which will gradually adhere to internal
engine components, causing your engine to perform less efficiently.
Left long enough, this sludge can cause permanent engine damage.
Combustion gases can also accumulate in the oil that will gradually
lower the pH of your oil making it more acidic. Even if you only put
1,000 miles on your Corvette per year, make sure that you always
change your oil and filter before placing it in long-term
storage.
To do this, start and run the engine until it is
brought up to normal operating temperature. If your Corvette is
equipped with air-conditioning, the AC unit should be operated during
this final engine warm-up to lubricate the compressor seal. Drain the
oil and replace the filter. Refill with the type of oil recommended in
your factory owner's manual. Last but not least, if you own a newer
Corvette equipped with the engine oil life monitor, remember to reset
the "Change Oil Light" as instructed in your owner's manual.
- Fuel Stabilizer
 Another important step is to make sure
you top off the fuel in the tank and add a fuel stabilizer. Some
owners prefer to completely drain the fuel tank and lines, but this
may be an open invitation for condensation to build within the fuel
system causing premature corrosion. Most fuel stabilizers, such as
Stabil, can be purchased at any mainstream automotive parts
store.
If your Corvette is carbureted, you should drain the
carburetors of any residual gasoline. Remaining gasoline can evaporate
and turn into a varnish that can coat and eventually clog the internal
parts of a carburetor.
- Mothballs
One of the biggest problems with long-term
automotive storage is rodents. Depending on how secure the facility is
that you store your Corvette in, one fact remains.... it's a source of
protection from the elements for both your Corvette and those furry
little critters. Most owners don't realize it, but certain brands of
spark plug wires can become a meal for mice. Some brands (including GM
brands) consist of a silicone inner jacket that surrounds the carbon
suppression core. The silicone inner jacket is then surrounded by a
vegetable oil based insulating outer shell which mice find
particularly appetizing. To help prevent them from making a meal out
of your Corvette's ignition system, place some mothballs in and around
the engine compartment, but remember to remove them before starting up
the car!
- Exhaust System
Mice and other small rodents like to
build nests in very small spaces and your Corvette's exhaust tips and
mufflers make a perfect home. Use a couple small face cloths and
rubber bands to seal off the exhaust tips on your Corvette. Simply
cover the opening of each tail pipe with the towel and wrap a rubber
band around it.
- Car Cover
"Should I cover my Corvette while it's in
storage and if so, what's the best type of cover to use?" This is one of
the most commonly asked questions when it's time to store your Corvette.
The answer depends upon where the car will be stored. If it's stored
within a garage or similar shelter, it's not necessary unless the car
will be stored for an extended period of time and you would like to keep
the dust off of it. If the car is stored outdoors, it is recommended
that you keep the car covered. Remember to periodically remove the
cover, especially after a soaking rain, so that air has a chance to
circulate and properly dry the car and cover.
The type of cover
you should use, again depends upon where the car will be stored. If it's
stored indoors, a simple cotton based cover is sufficient to keep dust
off the car. If it's stored outdoors, you should consider using a Dupont
Tyvek or Evolution-3 type weatherproof cover to protect against the
elements. These covers can usually be found at either your local
automotive parts store, or through mail order companies such as MidAmerica Designs or
Eckler Industries.
|
Any flat spotting that does occur to
today's tire usually disappears within 20-30 minutes of normal driving
time at normal highway speeds. 
Meguiars, 3M Car Care Products and Zaino
are just a few examples of high quality paint care products that are
popular among Corvette owners. Check out the 