Storing Car - Engine repairs - change oil before?

[Oldswagon]

I am about to put my old Ford Torino away for the winter. Over the winter I plan to do some work to the engine, specifically replace the seized distributor and replace the timing chain. I have about 850 miles of driving on the HDEO 10W30 in the sump. I always fully warm the car when I drive it, but it is a carbureted engine.

Do you think I should change the oil before I store it and again in the spring when the engine repairs are done? Or just change it in the spring after the engine repairs are done?

 

[Lead Shoes]

Change it in the Spring after the repairs that oil is hardly used.

 

[Warstud]

Originally Posted By: Brenden
Change it in the Spring after the repairs that oil is hardly used.


^^^^^^^^

 

[DragRace]

Originally Posted By: Brenden
Change it in the Spring after the repairs that oil is hardly used.

 

[CATERHAM]

Originally Posted By: Brenden
Change it in the Spring after the repairs that oil is hardly used.

In fact with only 850 miles on the oil that's always been brought up to temperature, forget the spring, you won't need to change the oil for 3-4 years!

 

[eljefino]

+6, leave it.

Even with 5000 miles it wouldn't be "corrosive".

 

[Gabe]

I am not familiar with Ford Torinos, but doesn't the oil normally get drained to replace the timing chain?? If so, just replace it then.

 

[demarpaint]

Leave the oil in.

What year is it?

 

[Oldswagon]

Wow, I didn't expect the response to be so unanimous. I guess I will just park it with the oil in the sump and change it once I fire the car up in the spring. The oil does not have to be emptied to change the timing chain.

The car is a 1972 fastback. Here is a pic:

 

[Lubener]

Your likely to get some junk in the oil pan when you change the timing chain, so I would wait too. I believe the front cover can be removed without removing the pan. Nice Torino. Had a two door 74 some time ago.

 

[SS1970chrysler]

I'd change it after doing the chain. Some antifreeze will drain down into the oil pan when you remove the front cover. Last one of these I did was on a '78 LTD II w/351w block. I'd also recommend dropping the pan and cleaning the pickup as well at this time. Mine had lots of nylon bits from the cam gear stuck in the screen.