Anything special to do when storing car for 8 months?

[Ceristimo]

Hi guys,

Since the snow and ice have finally arrived here in Alaska, it means that's the end of the driving season for Betsie. Last time I drove her was the end of September.

She is parked in my heated garage (keep it between 40f and 50f) on the concrete floor.

Fuel tank's about 5/8th full of summer diesel. No extra additives.

She will probably be sitting unused until about May/June of 2016, so roughly 8 months.

Battery is still hooked up, clock is still running.

Is there anything you think I need to do? I've never had an unused car just sit for months, I've only owned Betsie since February this year.

Should I disconnect the battery? Should I add something to the fuel? Should I jack her up and get the weight of the tires/suspension?

Or is 8 months not considered long enough for anything to start to deteriorate, and can I just leave her be?

Thoughts?


She also desperately needs new rear axles, a valve adjustment and possibly a timing chain at 280k miles (just thinking about replacing the timing chain makes me very nervous, I'd rather not touch it at all...), so I might have to roll her around a little once in a while.