what is the best way to store a 302 over the winter it is out of the trunk

 

I would change oil, spin the distributer if able to get the oil pump going, then drain it. Flush coolant if able, and fog the cylinders. If you want to get really carried away, you can get dessicants that replace the spark plugs to suck up any moisture. You can find a wealth of information by searching for what the boating guys do for their winerizing.

 

Pull the plugs and spray some EngineStor in the cylinders, turn the crank a few revolutions and put the plugs back in. I would try to fill it best you can with fresh coolant also.

 

Drain the coolant dry & tie a tarp over it in several layers. That's all. I stored this engine for 3 years indoors (no tarp), and the guy who bought it said it runs just fine now.

 

On an engine stand or on the floor? I would say be sure to pull all the plugs and fill the entire engine with oil or WD - 40. Pour it right into the spark plug holes. I have stored many race engines this way. Never a chance of the lube freezing and all oil all over the place. It's what you lube with in operation, why not in storage?

 

Actually, it sat outdoors on the front of the chassis (no hood or fenders) for about a year with a big tarp over the whole truck (most of the time), then I moved it indoors onto the wooden stand in that pic. I didn't do anything to it. The thieves used a sawzall on the radiator hoses, so it still had SOME coolant in it during that time.