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EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / Winter Layup...

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Kpyto71

10-08-2025 @ 7:33 AM

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Hi All,
This summer we purchased our 1941 Mercury 8 Convertible. I live in the Chicago area and of course, winter is coming.
I have a list of things to look at and work on, but my concern at the moment... what do I need to do for the winter layup?
Thanks for your insight!

carcrazy

10-08-2025 @ 7:37 PM

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If you are able to, run the engine every week or so until it gets up to operating temperature, about 10 to 15 minutes with the thermostats fully opened. If you do this, the engine will come to life readily when you go to start it in the spring. If your garage is unheated, be sure you have a sufficient amount of antifreeze in the cooling system. Keep the tires inflated to the correct pressures, in my case it was about 30 psi.

pauls39coupe

10-09-2025 @ 6:26 AM

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Do all that Car Crazy said using 50/50 mix of antifreeze and distilled water should keep the block from freezing in your area. I would add mouse repellant ( Fresh Cab or similar) to the trunk and interior. Keep the hood and trunk open to give the critters less dark places to hide. Keep the top up, and the cover spread out for the same reason. I have had luck with the little electronic bug/mouse repellant that plug in to your garage outlets.
Disconnect the negitive battery cable to avoid running the battery down or possibly having a electrical fire.
We also use battery maintainers on all the cars in storage.

This message was edited by pauls39coupe on 10-9-25 @ 6:31 AM

JayChicago

10-09-2025 @ 12:48 PM

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I'll add a contrarian note here:
There are two schools-of-thought on periodic starting during long term storage. Some think the cold starts are hard on the engine and starter, do more harm than good, especially in below freezing temperatures.
I have always just put my cars into hibernation and let it lie. The very cold temperatures won't hurt anything if you leave it alone. Never had a problem starting in the spring.

JayChicago

10-09-2025 @ 1:10 PM

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Thought of something else not mentioned by others above: Gasoline preservative (Stabil) in the tank.
I did have trouble in the spring with a Corvette I once owned. Started, but ran and idled terrible, until it got fresh gas in the tank.

ford38v8

10-09-2025 @ 1:19 PM

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I agree with both of Jay's posts and believe "Stabyl Marine "to be the best choice.. Better yet, instead of either, pick a day of the week to take a drive of several miles. All cars need to be driven that often to stay consistently operable, and the moderate load of driving warms up the engine quicker, much easier on engine wear than idling in the driveway.
As for rodent control, always keep oil breathers and air cleaners in place, and stuff a couple SOS pads into your exhaust pipe to prevent the critters from setting up housekeeping in your engine and muffler.

Alan

This message was edited by ford38v8 on 10-9-25 @ 1:22 PM

JayChicago

10-10-2025 @ 8:57 AM

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Remember that the original poster is from the Chicago area. Winter temperatures below freezing, and roads with snow and salt residue. I feel "exercising" the car in those conditions likely does more harm than good.

Kpyto71

10-15-2025 @ 10:21 AM

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Thanks so far for the information.... I should expand a bit more...
Our '41 will reside in our garage. While not heated, it is insulated, and I'd say that the temp rarely gets below about 45 or 50 degrees. No critters (that I'm aware of), but I like the advice of putting something in the exhaust.
As for the driving... I'd love to keep taking it out when possible, but that's going to be largely up to Mother Nature. Where I live, they use copious amounts of salt, so unless we don't get snow, or unless we get enough rain to wash the salt away... the car will certainly have to stay in the garage.
Tire pressures... I'd assume over the winter, I'd need to monitor that (and put a charger on the battery once in a while). I think my big concern is with tires? Our garage is concrete... I've heard some say that parking the car on wood to get it off of the garage floor is recommended.... true?
Thanks for the Sta-Byl recommendation too... I use it for our boat, but I wasn't thinking about the car!

Thanks everyone so far for the advice. Like i said, first time having a car sit for the winter... just want to be sure I'm being a responsible caretaker.

Kens 36

10-15-2025 @ 12:07 PM

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Your Mercury will be just fine resting on the concrete floor.

Ken

52flatv8

10-18-2025 @ 5:32 AM

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I have found Renuzit "After The Rain" air freshener to be good for pest control. A trickle charge on the battery once in a while helps with spring start up too.

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