Long Term Storage Houston

KMeredith87

KMeredith87

Senior Member
Hey Ford Barn, been a while. My wife and I are relocating overseas for a while and I am in need of long term secure storage for my Model A. Does anyone in the Houston area have any suggestions? I would like to find a place where I can store the vehicle, the trailer and any household goods we decide not to take with us. Best case scenario I could find a place big enough I could park the A inside my trailer, the trailer inside the unit and any household items also in the same unit but that is highly unlikely. Any suggestions are appreciated!
 
KMeredith87 said:
Hey Ford Barn, been a while. My wife and I are relocating overseas for a while and I am in need of long term secure storage for my Model A. Does anyone in the Houston area have any suggestions? I would like to find a place where I can store the vehicle, the trailer and any household goods we decide not to take with us. Best case scenario I could find a place big enough I could park the A inside my trailer, the trailer inside the unit and any household items also in the same unit but that is highly unlikely. Any suggestions are appreciated!
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How about another Model A Club member watching over your Model A? And store other items in storage?
 
I have recently revived 3 cars that were in long term storage (15 year). Here is what I learned:


  • The fuel in the tank turned to tar and needed to be drained and replaced. The old fuel is difficult and expensive to get rid of. I recommend draining the tank (and carburetor). The fuel can be burned up in another vehicle.
  • Related to the tank is storing the vehicle in a controlled environment. Store indoors on a cement floor with a dehumidifier or air conditioning to keep the humidity under control. This will eliminate rust forming, including inside the tank. Leave the cap off the tank so that air can circulate and any moisture can evaporate.
  • Put the car up on jack stands at all 4 corners to keep the tires from developing a flat spot or damaging the tires if they loose air. Keep sunlight from the tires. The UV will damage them.
  • Use a battery maintainer to keep the battery from going bad. Use a battery maintainer with the desulfating feature.
  • The antifreeze mixture in the radiators was good after long term storage, at least for the first start. After the engine is run it should be changed.
  • The oil will have to be replaced.
  • If the building is not rat and mouse proof, use some rat and mouse bait in and around the car to keep the critters under control. Place the bait where kits and pets cannot get to it.
  • This is assuming that the car is not started and driven on a regular basis, such as once a month, which is a good option.
 
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Mice are going to be your biggest potential problem.

Some of these cars have sat for 30 or 40 years. If out of the sun, in a dry environment, protected from vandalism and rodents, a year or so should not effect it.

In 1982 I bought a Sport Coupe that had been put away in a barn after World War II. Clutch was frozen to fly wheel and it needed a battery, but it started right up with some fresh gas.

40 plus years later and it’s still running strong.
 
As far as finding a storage location, try Google Maps and search for "storage" or "auto storage." Or try Craig's List. Or ask around at your local club. Here in Wilkesboro, the locals will just work the good-old-boy network. It helps to know the right people.
 
When you do find a spot buy 4 plastic totes with sidewalls that are just a bit shorter than jack stands fully extended. Jack the car up and place a jack stand in each tote and slide the tote/jack stand under each axle and rest the car on them.
Remove the tires.
Makes it pretty tough for a mouse to get into the car.

Do not put mouse bait in the car. No sense in trying to lure them into the car to get at the bait.
Place bait outside of the car.
 
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