VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 How do you winterize an antique car?

As some of you know, im new to the antique world with my 1st oldie, a 1927 chevy.

My question is here in Kentucky it does get cold and how do you winterize your old car.

* Can you put antifreeze in it? as I am running just water right now.

* It is already in the garage.

* Should it be put on jack stands?

Drlowz put anti-freeze in it year around just like a modern car. It's a good idea to keep it on jack stands so you don't get flat spots on the tires if it won't be moved for a long time. Also keep the battery fully charged. Fill the gas tank and put some fuel stabilizer in the gas.

Good point on the stabilizer.

So just regular green antifreeze?

Yes... buy the 50/50 pre-mix anti-freeze at any auto supply store.

Buy full strength anti-freez. 50/50 is a rip-off. Put a little extra air in the tires if you dont jack it up. I leave my gas tank low so when I take it out in the spring, then fill with fresh gas. Put a piece of steel wool in tailpipe to keep critters out.

I change the oil, over inflate the tires, have the gas tank close to empty, disconnect the battery, make sure the battery is fully charged, have a 50/50 antifreeze in the engine (all year), and don't start the engine until Spring driving time is here .

You should run anti-freeze year round and for winter, what ever strength you need for your lowest temp. It helps prevent rust in the block. Ok I know I own one of those other cars, I really don't winterize mine because I try and drive it when I can even in winter and snow.
If you are going to store, I would also suggest getting it up to temp to drive off any condensation, drain and replace the oil then fog the cylinders. You could also do a full chassis lube so it's ready for next years driving. Run the carb and vacuum tank dry or drain.
In the spring or just before you start driving again, clean and check the points. One of the bigger no start issues is, over the winter the points can fowl.
If you do run the engine, bring it up to full running temp. Don't just start it to see if it still runs. Just a quick start will allow it to form condensation in the crank case. Condensation and the by products of combustion make nasty stuff the does bad things to the crank case.

All good advice.
We mixed prestone antifreeze 50-50 using distilled water.
Also, we're using the 91 octane ethanol-free gas, available at Fastrac and similar stations.
We're installing sheet metal then bumpers and headlamps and will soon be driving, as long as the roads are dry. Hoping snow holds off for a couple more weeks.
It's a '28 4-door sedan, started restoration in 2010. Photos soon.

You & it could move to southern Arizona & drive it year round...Joe