Hey guys, I've got a 1984 944 that I've been slowly fixing up since I turned 15. I'm in college now, and with the way things are going, I don't expect to have any time for it over the next year or two and it'll have to go back into storage. I should note that I got it after it sat for eight years without any real precautions other than being indoors. If it were to be stored in the same indoor, non-climate controlled garage, what should I plan for to keep it healthy? I know that these cars like to be driven and I absolutely love driving it, but I have to be realistic. As is, it's only driven for about three months every year anyway. Also, getting rid of it isn't anywhere on the table, this car was a gift from my dad and I plan to hold on to it until it turns into dust for better or worse.
Edit: I know basics like fuel additives and the like, but is there anything specific to 944s?

 

Also, if anyone is interested in hearing the history of this particular 944, let me know. I'll yap about it all day long.

 

Yeah, tell us the story and share some pictures.

Other than disconnecting the battery, I think you'll want to do a couple of things when you get back to the car. Of course, some Stabil or SeaFoam in the tank and run through the fuel lines, rail, etc. is a good thing before storage. First off, run the fuel pump via jumpering the DME relay slots. This should help to get fuel moving and filled appropriately in the lines and rail, as well as let you see if there are any issues that have developed in that system.

The other thing that I think would be prudent is to shoot some fogging oil into the pistons before you start it back up. Check the belts too to make sure everything looks OK visually.

Finally, you can get wheel chock things that will help keep your tires round during storage, to avoid some flat spotting.

Cheers

 

So, this particular 944 came with all of its documentation except for the window sticker. While I don't have the book with the list by me, I am owner number 7 of this poor thing, iirc. It hasn't had an easy life, as when my father bought it 20 years ago, it was his winter beater in south eastern Wisconsin for a couple of years, and had a pair of wood screws driven into the bumper to hold one of the pads in place. They've all rotted off now, and I keep hoping i can save them somehow, but im doubtful. Surprisingly, there's no body rust despite salt being everywhere in Wisco. It went way too long without having its timing belt done (at least 15 years and 70k miles overdue.) The belts, the complexity of their replacement, and the consequences of running the belts until they snapped were the whole reason it ever sat in the first place, though they managed to hold on the whole time. It sat for 8 years out of an abundance of caution and the intimidating belt job, and at some point the clutch master and starter failed. I did the timing and balance belts and the water pump while as its first major maintenance after being pulled out of storage. That would have been 4 or 5 years ago, so it's coming due again soon. It's got 3 or 4 coats of paint currently on it, all close-but-not-quite Ruby Red. I think one of the previous owners worked at a Maaco, so it's got their lovely handiwork all over. That's the majority of what I can remember. Like I said, I HAVE the manual, the dealer maintenance schedule, and 5 of the previous owners (among other things,) but I don't have any of it with me currently.
Edit: I forgot about this while typing the original message, but I found out this summer that one of the previous owners converted the headlights from sealed beam to H4. I thought that was cool, and i wasnt expecting it.

 

Here's some pics of it

While it looks a little rough, it runs like a top.

Its about as much of a 25 ft car as is physically possible.

 

I would strongly recommend a car capsule if you are storing somewhere that has power. You can find them used for $300-400 and will protect against mice which is your biggest issue aside from staying dry.