Storing my '69 911E - Tire Question

[SonomaPete]

I'm storing my '69 911E for a spell -- heard that overfilling the tires (Pirelli P600's) was a good idea, to avoid flat spots -- can anyone suggest how high the pressure should be? Thanks...!

[911s55]

What is the maximum pressure rating for the tire?
Consider that, the current temperature of your storage facility and what possible temp changes will occur during storage, cooler temps pressure reduces, warmer temps pressure increases. If you can keep it around the max pressure within a few lbs you should be more than fine.

David

[nineball]

i usually set mine at 45-50 and they lose a little over the winter but haven't had any problems yet.

[SonomaPete]

Max pressure rating for the tire is 51 psi, and the temp currently is about 50F, and the temp max would be about 90F, so maybe around 45 psi with some margin for error?

[GWN7]

How long is a "spell"?

My 69 E Targa sat for 16 years (with Pirelli's on it) and they had no flat spots. Two were flat tho.

[SonomaPete]

Not a spell that long I hope! Probably 8-10 months, with engine starts and drives of a couple hundred yards every 1-2 months along the way.

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by SonomaPete

Not a spell that long I hope! Probably 8-10 months, with engine starts and drives of a couple hundred yards every 1-2 months along the way.

8-10 months... I wouldn't start it at all unless you're going to go for a decent drive... At least 20 miles!

Wash the car and vacuum the interior.
Change the oil and drive it 40 miles or so just before storage.
Pump up the tyres and remove the battery.
Cap the exhaust pipe with a rag and some tape wrapped around to hold it in place.
And again, cap the air inlet to the Air cleaner with a rag and tape.

Cover the entire car with an old cotton sheet. Sew two together to fully cover.
(Must be a breathable cover)

And most importantly... Keep an eye on it.
... Lift the cover and check for mice or rats.

[GWN7]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

8-10 months... I wouldn't start it at all unless you're going to go for a decent drive... At least 20 miles!

Wash the car and vacuum the interior.
Change the oil and drive it 40 miles or so just before storage.
Pump up the tyres and remove the battery.
Cap the exhaust pipe with a rag and some tape wrapped around to hold it in place.
And again, cap the air inlet to the Air cleaner with a rag and tape.

Cover the entire car with an old cotton sheet. Sew two together to fully cover.
(Must be a breathable cover)

And most importantly... Keep an eye on it.
... Lift the cover and check for mice or rats.

Agreed..........unless you can get the engine really warmed (Opperating temp) up it is best not to start it. All you do by starting it and letting it run for a bit is keep the battery charged. Unless you warm it up to opp temps you will get condensation = rust in the engine.

Put it on jack stands. This takes the weight off the wheels and guarantee's no flat spots. This makes it unlikely that someone will take it for a test drive while your away too.

Add stabil to the gas tank before you take it on it's last run. This allows it to mix with the gas. And top off the tank.

[Randy W]

If you are going to overfill the tires, be sure to tape a note on the steering wheel reminding you to deflate them to normal pressures before driving the car. Otherwise that first sharp corner could bite you!

[Evans, Marv]

If I were going to store my car for that amount of time, I'd put it up on jack stands. +1 on the good advice from "sc_rufctr". Also, don't drive it unless you do for long enough to heat the engine & trans up to operating temps for a decent enough period of time to drive off any water condensation. Instead of driving it, you could rotate the engine once a week or so. I bought one of those tools with the belt for rotating mine (HF I think).

[byfdinky]

That's a great idea for storing a car with the tail pipe and air inlet stuffed with a rag. I will plug mine today for the remainder of the winter. 30 plus days here in MI.
I never worried about my tires for the 4 months of storage. Just added Stabil, new oil, and removed the Optima. And of course, covered with a Porsche cover.

[blucille]

not thrilled with the rag idea, I use large rubber caps used for plumbing repairs, complete with a hose clamp....others suggest steel wool, as the only way to avoid critters from eating their way in.

year ago, with a different house and a rough garage, had a couple of field mice find their way into a triumph TR6, upon next start up, they flew out and ran away.

My 1967 Saab Sonett has had a couple of mice in the trunk over the years, moth balls around the perimeter of the barn, and a nearby barn cat have helped.

Lewis

[Flieger]

What about one of those plastic garage bubbles with the air blower?