A bit of time in the garage will pay dividends throughout the upcoming driving season.
FAQ: Getting Your Classic Out of Storage for the Driving Season
What are the first things I should check before turning the key?
-
Inspect for Pests: Mice love to winter in classic cars. Check the engine bay, exhaust tailpipes, and under the dashboard for nests or chewed wiring. This is especially crucial for the complex wiring harnesses in vintage Ferraris or the classic Lucas electrical systems in British marques.
-
Check the Fluids: Pull the dipsticks and open the caps. Verify your engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, and clutch fluid are at the correct levels. Look underneath the car for any fresh puddles that might indicate seals dried out over the winter.
-
Prime the Engine: If the car has been sitting for months, the oil has drained into the pan. Disconnect the coil and turn the engine over a few times to build up oil pressure before letting it actually fire up. This is particularly important if you are running performance upgrades like roller rocker sets that require immediate, proper lubrication.
How should I handle the fuel system after winter?
-
Inspect Fuel Lines: Modern ethanol-blended fuels can be harsh on vintage rubber. Carefully check all flexible fuel lines for cracking, hardening, or weeping.
-
Examine the Carburetors: If you are running Weber carburetor conversions, check the float bowls and ensure the jets aren't clogged with varnished fuel. A quick spray of carburetor cleaner can save you from a rough idle.
-
Top Off with Fresh Gas: If you stored the car with a less-than-full tank or didn't use a fuel stabilizer, top it off with fresh, high-octane, ethanol-free fuel to dilute any condensation that may have formed.
What electrical checks are necessary for a reliable start?
-
Battery Health: Reconnect your battery and check the voltage. If it hasn't been on a trickle charger, it will likely need a full charge.
-
Starter Evaluation: Listen to how the car cranks. A sluggish start after a long winter is common, but if it struggles consistently, the factory starter might be drawing too much amperage or failing. Upgrading to a high-torque gear reduction starter is a highly recommended reliability mod to ensure crisp, fast cranking every time you hit the switch.
-
Clean the Grounds: Ensure your battery terminals and chassis grounds are clean and tight. Bad grounds are the root cause of many electrical gremlins in classic Jaguars, Triumphs, and MGs.
How do I prep my wheels, tires, and brakes for the road?
-
Tire Pressure and Condition: Tires lose pressure over time and can develop flat spots from sitting. Inflate them to the proper spec and inspect the sidewalls for dry rot.
-
Wire Wheel Maintenance: If your classic sports wire wheels, take the time to inspect the spokes for proper tension. When pulling the wheels off, examine your splined hubs—whether you are dealing with an SK52 hub cone kit on a Jaguar XKE or original equipment ATB 4180 hubs on an MGA—and ensure the splines are clean, undamaged, and properly coated with anti-seize grease.
-
Test the Brakes: Before hitting the open road, pump the brake pedal. It should feel firm, not spongy. Test the brakes at a very low speed in your driveway to ensure the calipers or wheel cylinders haven't seized during hibernation.
Happy Motoring Everyone. We look forward to seeing you out enjoying your cars.
