Storage Letter

SUGGESTIONS FOR PREPARATION OF VEHICLES FOR STORAGE LESS THAN 30 DAYS

  1. Wash vehicle exterior completely to remove any surface dirt
  2. Check engine coolant level and if necessary, increase antifreeze protection.
  3. Check battery and charge if below 1.255 specific gravity to avoid freezing and deterioration.  Both battery cables should be disconnected at the battery to prevent gradual discharge and the possibility of fire due to short circuits.
  4. Check tire pressure and if low, inflate to the recommended pressure.
  5. Vehicles are best stored in a clean, dry, closed or roofed area.  If a vehicle is subject to corrosive fumes or bird droppings, the vehicle should be covered.  If the vehicle is to be stored where the wind might move the cover extensively, the cover should be tightly secured to prevent rub-through on the paint,
  6. Run the engine until completely warmed-up before turning off the ignition (at a fast idle for a minimum of fifteen minutes).
  7. Make sure that all windows are completely closed.
  8.  Leave the parking brake in the “off” position.  If the car is equipped with a manual transmission, the selector lever should be placed in reverse.

  9.  Check the trunk and glove compartment for personal items that might freeze or deteriorate with time

EXTENDED STORAGE BEYOND 30 DAYS

In the event that vehicles are to be stored for an extended period beyond 30 days, the following items are suggested in addition to the steps given for vehicles that are to be stored for less than 30 days.

  1. Apply a coat of wax to all of the exterior painted and plated surfaces.
  2. Start and run the engine until completely warm.  Drain the engine oil and replace the filter element, refill with fresh oil.  After the oil has been replaced, remove the air cleaner assembly and pour one-half to one pint of 10-W or lighter oil into the carburetor air intake, with the engine running.  Pour slowly at first, then rapidly, using the last quarter to stall the engine.  Replace air cleaner assembly.  If the vehicle is equipped with air conditioning, the unit should be operated during this final engine warm-up to lubricate the compressor seals.
  3. Drain the coolant from the radiator, cylinder block and heater.
  4.  If freezing temperatures are expected, the battery should be removed from the vehicle and stored in a cool, dry area at above freezing temperatures.  
    • CAUTION:  As part of the normal function of an automobile battery  storage, hydrogen gas is toxic and extremely combustible when mixed with air.  Do not store the battery where it will be exposed to sparks or open flame, nor where it is exposed to children.
  5. Place blocks under the front and rear suspension so that the tires do not come in contact with the ground.
  6. Drain all gasoline from the fuel tank, fuel lines and carburetor to reduce the hazard of fire and to prevent gumming of the fuel as it evaporates.
  7.  Remove the windshield wiper arms and blades and store them inside the vehicle.

All rubber weatherstrips such as are used around the doors, deck or trunk openings and window ventilators, as well as rubber gaskets with exposed edges around the tail lights, cowl ventilator lid gaskets, etc., should be coated with a silicone grease which can be purchased from your local Pontiac dealer.

It is also recommended that the doors be left closed and that the trunk and deck lid be locked to prevent rats, mice and squirrels from destroying the upholstery.

TRIM

All the upholstery and floor coverings should be thoroughly cleaned.  The entire interior should be sprayed with a stainless moth preventative, such as dichloride.  Apply a high quality furniture wax to the decorative wood inserts in the interior.

CONVERTIBLE CARS

The tops of convertibles should not be stored in the collapsed position.

Care should be exercised to keep the oil or grease of any kind from either top or leather upholstery.  Put a paper cover over the top, to prevent dust and dirt from penetrating the fabric.

Coat the folding top chromium plated parts with body wax.

Do not store in the direct sunlight or near radiator,

Observe the precautions concerning rubber weatherstrips as listed under all body types.

PLACING THE CAR IN SERVICE AFTER STORAGE

It is especially important to take every precaution and to make sure that the tires, battery, engine and other units especially prepared for storage are properly attended to before the car is put back into service.  We therefore suggest that you mount the tires and wheels on the car, put in a fully-charged battery, then call your local Pontiac dealer and have them tow the car to their service department, where the vehicle can be thoroughly checked and make whatever adjustments are necessary to insure the best operation of the car.

TIRES

Inflate all tires, including the spare to the recommended pressure before removing the jack stands or other support.

SUGGESTIONS FOR PROPER STORING OF CARS

SELECTION OF A STORAGE PLACE

Since extremely high and low temperatures, precipitation, freezing and thawing, sunlight, soot and other conditions found outdoors have a very detrimental effect on a car in storage.  Outside locations should be avoided.

An inside storage location should be selected having a reasonably cool, even temperature, a minimum of dirt in the air and an absence of direct rays from the sun, which might cause uneven aging of the painted surfaces and upholstery, as well as accelerate the deterioration of tires and other rubber parts.  If it is necessary to store cars near windows, the sunlight may be effectively reduced by painting the window pains black or blue.  Avoid storing in a place where coal, smoke, ammonia or other detrimental fumes are present.

PREPARING THE CAR FOR STORAGE

TIRES

Place the car in the location where it is to be stored and support on jacks or stands at all four wheels to relieve the weight from the tires.

Six conditions should be observed in conjunction with the storage of tires, either on or off the car.

1.    A cool place                           4.  Under no load

2.    A dark place                           5.  A dry place

3.    No air currents                       6.  No contact with grease or oil

Normal seepage will soon relieve pressure.  Under no conditions should direct sunlight be allowed to reach the tires.  If this cannot be avoided, then some sort of light-proof covering should be placed over the exposed tire.  If the tires have picked up oil or grease on the tread, the accumulation should be cleaned off with a cloth wet with alcohol.  DO NOT use kerosene, gasoline, carbon- tetrachloride, duco thinner or any other petroleum product.  

Drain the gasoline tank.  Run the engine until it stops, using up as much as possible of the remaining fuel.  Disconnect the tank to fuel pump line at the fuel pump and blow the line out with air.  Crank the engine over five or six times to empty the fuel pump.  Reconnect both gasoline lines.

COOLING SOLUTION

If coolant is left in the engine, make sure that enough anti-freeze is in the cooling system and heater to insure adequate protection from freezing.  If the car is to be stored for more than six months, drain the coolant from the radiator, cylinder block and heater  (disconnect the hose at the heater to drain it completely, then reconnect the hose).

ENGINE

It is not necessary to prepare the engine if the car is not to be stored longer than 60 days.  However, for a longer period, remove the spark plugs and squirt oil into the spark plug holes.  Replace the spark plugs finger tight.  When preparing the car to run, remove the spark plugs and crank the engine momentarily to assure that any excess oil is removed from the combustion chamber.

If the car is to be stored for more than one year, remove the cylinder head and coat all internal parts of the engine (cylinder bore, combustion chamber, valves and seats, valve stems, etc.) with cup grease.  Your local Pontiac dealer can assist you in performing this operation.

Move the generator toward the engine as far as possible to relieve the tension on the fan belt.

Place paper bags over the carburetor, air cleaner, crankcase ventilator valve outlet and tailpipe, securing them in place with twine.  This is especially important when storing cars in locations near the seashore, where salt air might enter the engine or exhaust system.  Do NOT drain the engine oil!

BATTERY

Remove the battery and take it either to your car dealer or to a reliable battery charging station for storage, so that it can be checked regularly and recharged when necessary to keep it in good condition.  Note: If a car is to be stored for over one year, it might be wise to sell the present battery and purchase a new one when the car is put back into service.

EXTERIOR CHROMIUM PLATED PARTS

Clean all exterior chromium plated parts with chrome cleaner and polish, then apply body wax or chrome guard as a protective coating.  Petroleum can be used as a protective coating, but it collects dirt and is therefore troublesome to clean off when the car is removed from storage.

EXTERIOR FINISH – BODY & SHEET METAL

Before storage the car finish should be checked for any foreign substances that might have accumulated on the finish, such as grease spots, oil, tar, splotches of mud, etc., which may possibly have a detrimental effect on the finish of a lacquered surface, if allowed to remain on the surface.  The car should be thoroughly washed and waxed prior to storage.  A cloth or paper cover should be put over at least the roof, deck lid, hood and front fenders to keep them free from any dust accumulation and also as a precaution against foreign matter falling onto the paint, through windows or other openings.

BODY

The front floor mats should be left in their normal position on the floor.  Apply body wax to the interior chromium plated parts.  Precautions should be taken to keep rats, mice, or any other vermin from reaching the interior.

Our mission at PHS Auto is to be your trusted source for uncovering the unique and fascinating history of your Pontiac vehicle. We understand that every Pontiac has its own story, and we’re dedicated to helping you unearth those remarkable details that make your Pontiac special.

So, if you’re on a quest for those specific, one-of-a-kind facts and insights about your Pontiac, look no further than PHS Auto. We’re not just a service; we’re your partner in preserving and celebrating the rich history of Pontiac automobiles. Let’s embark on this historical journey together!