Thinking Spring!
Getting Your Corvette Out of Storage and Ready for Spring |
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Spring is rapidly approaching! As I write this the weather forecast is calling for 43 degrees and rain, not bad for March 3rd in Chicago. I’ll admit I caught ‘Corvette Fever’ those two days last month when the weather was in the 50’s and 60’s. In fact I got worried I hadn’t finished all my ‘winter projects’ and that I might miss part of the Corvette season working on the car. So I rushed out to the garage and dove right in. Unfortunately I was brought back to reality rather quickly when the weather turned and was into the single digits by the next weekend. That makes it really tough to work in an unheated garage! As I came in to warm up this weekend from working on the Corvette I realized I’ve only been focused on my ‘winter projects’, repairs and upgrades. What else do I need to do to get ready for spring!!?!?? So I set out to find the experts recommendations as to what you need to do to get your Corvette out of storage and ready for spring. The information below is not the holy grail of spring startup, but is definitely a good place to start. Obviously some of these will be more or less important based on the age and condition of your Corvette. The information is broken into two sections, the Pre-Start Checklist, things you should check in the last couple of weeks before your bring your car out of storage, and the Start-Up Checklist, the things you should do when your are ready to head out for the first miles of spring.
Pre-Start Checklist: |
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- Check for ‘Serious’ Leaks: Since your car has been sitting for some time before you do anything else, check to see if there are any major leaks. Grab the flashlight and look under the car from all four sides. Look for any major leaks or signs of something needing significant repair.
- Change the Oil: Over the cold winter condensation can form almost anywhere and adding water content to your oil is not a good thing.
- Charge the Battery: Even if you have had it on a battery tender or trickle charger all winter, make sure it has a good/fresh charge
- Check/Replace all Fluids: Check the levels of all fluids in the car, brakes, differential, engine coolant, steering transmission, and windshield washer. Add fluids as necessary to maintain proper levels. Keep in mind over the cold winter condensation can form almost anywhere and adding water to most of the key fluids (brake, differential, transmission, etc.) is not a good idea. Spring is a good time to change any of those fluids.
- Check/Replace all Filters: Check all filters, air, fuel, PVC, etc. for dirt and contaminants. Replace them if necessary.
- Check the Brakes: Make sure the master cylinder is topped off with fresh brake fluid from a new, previously unopened, can of brake fluid. Check the lines, hoses and calipers for leaks or signs of damage or wear.
- Check the Tires:Check each tire thoroughly. Make sure to check the pressure and examine the tread and sidewalls for cracks, punctures, foreign objects and excessive wear. For the best check, jack the car up and remove each tire. This will give you great access to check the brakes and make rotating the tire easier.
- Check all the Lights: Check each light to ensure it is working properly. With assistance, walk around the car checking the headlights, high beams, fog/running lights, turn signals, brake lights, backup lights and side markers.
- Lubricate the Cylinders: If your car has been sitting without being started for 3 months or more, consider lubricating the cylinders. Remove the spark plugs and squirt some oil or cylinder lubricant into the cylinders.
- Check the Spark Plug Wires: Check the spark plug wires for cracks, excessive wear or damage.
- Add Gas De-Icer to the Fuel Tank: Over the cold winter condensation can form almost anywhere and the gas tank is no exception. De-Icer will help burn off any water in the fuel.
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...continued in right hand column... |
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| St. Patrick's Day Parade - March 7th |
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The club will be participating in the St. Charles St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 7th.
To participate in the parade contact Dale & Jude Hammersmith
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| Dine 'n Drive to Sorrento's - March 28th |
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The first destination of 2009 for our monthly Dine 'n Drive has been drawn. Join the club March 28th at Sorrento's in Maple Park, IL. Meeting details for the 'drive' portion are still to be determined. Reservations are for 6:30 PM.
RSVP to Ron & Gloria Piencak by March 21st.
Home Phone #815-476-5664 Or Cell # 630-253-5448
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| Bowling Event Pictures Posted |
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For those of you who missed the great time at the bowling event, or for those of you who went and want to see them, the pictures of the bowling event have been added to the website. Check out the Event Photos page to see them. |
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| New History Pictures Posted |
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New pictures have been added to the History page on the club website. If you haven't seen them don't miss some of the great racing images from the 70's including Ice Racing!
As part of updating the website we are drastically short on historical pictures. Send us copies of your old pictures.
Send to: Bill Sullivan |
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| Did You Check Your Information in the Directory?
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The online member directory is now available on the club website. Please login and check your information. Changes can be sent to Bill Sullivan.
To Login:
- Type the last 3 numbers of your NCCC#, and for ladies the L following those numbers in the NCCC# box
- Enter your last name in the last name box and press the enter key
- Press the Login button
Once logged in you should see Member Directory as a link in the left hand margin. |
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| ...Thinking Spring continued from left hand column... |
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Start-Up Checklist: |
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- Turn the Engine Over without Starting It: This will help lubricate the cylinders and prime the Oil and Fuel pumps before you start the car for the first time.
- Fire Up ‘Test’: Start up the car and let it warm up to temperature. Once warm shut the car off and check under the car for leaks. Now that the engine has been run and circulated the oil, check the oil level again. CAUTION: Depending on the proximity to the oil dipstick to the exhaust manifolds or headers you may want to let it cool a little.
- Test Drive: Start up the car and give it a good 15-20 minute drive through light traffic. Don’t forget your cell phone in case of trouble. Lightly test your brakes and steering. Listen carefully for sounds you don’t expect. Remember this car hasn’t been driven in a while so give it some time to warm up and make sure everything is in order before you ‘get on it’ real good. When you get home check again for any fluid leaks.
- Wash & Wax: We can’t have any dirty Corvettes out there can we?
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- Bill Sullivan, Web Editor |
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