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flatheadhorn
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-- 03-03-2014 @ 3:03 PM
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I have a 36 Ford and it hasn't run or been started in about 5-10 years. It's in pretty good condition and I'm trying to get the engine started to see exactly where I'm at. It had an 8 volt battery in it, but that battery is dead. I tried to replace it, but I learned that cars don't use 8 volt batteries anymore. So, I bought a 6 volt battery and tried to start it. The engine turned over, but wouldn't fire. I'm guessing it's not getting enough power. They told me at Autozone that 36's could use a 6 volt, but many owners used an 8 volt because it started the engine better. Would it be better to charge the 8 volt battery or should I stick with the 6 volt. I tried the 6 volt battery because it had higher cranking amps (715) and cold cranking amps (575) than the 8 volt which is cranking amps (560) and cold cranking amps (450)? Do cranking amps and cold cranking amps even matter?
Thanks for any and all help. 36 noob. lol.
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cliftford
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-- 03-03-2014 @ 4:13 PM
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Your car orginially had a 6 volt battery, The fact that it had an 8 volt battery suggests that the starter is tired, or has other probems, such as corroded connections, etc.with a good starter and electrical system it should start easily with a good 6v battery. It sounds like you may also have a fuel and/or ignition problem. The 8 volt battery was, at best, a band aid solution.
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ford38v8
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-- 03-03-2014 @ 4:59 PM
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First lesson to learn about old cars: Totally disregard any and all advice you get from Autozone. Stick with the old timers, ignorte the young whippersnappers. Also, get an old MoToRs Manual, something like a 1950 Edition. Later editions selectively edit the older information to make room for new. This is your bible, read it and learn what's in it for every job you undertake on your car.
Hard starting? To start, you need three elements: Fuel; air; fire. You've got the engine to turn over, and that will suck in the fuel if it's in the carburetor. You can use starter fluid at first in small amounts for the first start, not extended use. For the fire, while cranking, pull a plug wire and hold it to a head bolt. You need a strong blue spark about half inch long. A weak orange spark won't fire the engine. If that's your issue, send youyr coil to Skip Haney in Florida. He'll rebuild it using modern materials. Don't buy a new coil, they are junk.
Get back to us with all your questions!
Alan
This message was edited by ford38v8 on 3-3-14 @ 5:01 PM
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ken ct.
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-- 03-03-2014 @ 5:24 PM
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Alan times 2. good advice. ken ct.
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trjford8
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-- 03-04-2014 @ 10:00 AM
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Grounding is critical in the 6 volt system. Make sure all grounds are clean where they attach to the body and frame.If you have the braided style ground cables they do oxidize and lose there grounding capability(since this car has been sitting a long time I suspect the braided cables are very oxidized). Get new ones or use the regular type cables. Make sure your cables are the large ones and not the small 12 volt cables. Your battery has plenty of cranking amps, so if your starter is good and you have good grounds it should turn over easily.
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woodiewagon46
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-- 03-04-2014 @ 10:08 AM
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cliftford is right, don't blame a 6 volt battery for your cars woes. If the car hasn't been started in 5 or 10 years the first thing you should do is check all of the electrical connections. Believe it or not these connections will corrode over time. Someone obviously had trouble in the past because of the 8 volt battery. It might be time to bite the bullet and replace the starter and all components that you suspect that are bad. If you plan on driving the car you won't regret it.
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flatheadhorn
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-- 03-04-2014 @ 10:40 AM
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Thank you for everyone's help and advice! I'm going to look into the wiring. When I hooked up the battery, the headlights came on and we couldn't get them to turn off, unless we disconnected the battery. So, the wiring may have to be the first order of business. The 8 volt battery very well could have been a Band-Aid.
I have a Ford/Mercury '32-'41 Shop Manual that has been helpful, but it's been a little confusing as well (probably because learning about cars is like learning a new language for me right now.) I'm at square one. It was my grandfather's car and it had been sitting in my grandmother's garage in Michigan until I had it transported to me in Texas. So, I'm sure I'll have more questions.  I can't wait to be able to drive it and stuff, but I want to make sure everything is right in it first. Thanks again for all the help and I'll keep y'all updated.
Dan
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nelsb01
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-- 03-04-2014 @ 12:20 PM
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flatheadhorn;
There are a number of Early Ford V-8 Club Regional Groups in Texas. I would suggest you try contacting the one nearest your area. If there is one thing you will learn about Early V-8ers, it is that there is a large group of people out there willing to give you a hand.
You can find the contact information in the left column on the main page.
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joe b
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-- 03-04-2014 @ 1:44 PM
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flatheadhorn. Welcome aboard! There are a bunch of good straight shooters here. The only stupid question is the one you don't ask.
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cliftford
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-- 03-04-2014 @ 3:46 PM
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Here's another thing that you should check: since the car had an 8v battery, the generator may have been set up to a higher charging rate. If so it would need to be set back so it won't over charge the 6v battery. Otherwise it might boil it dry and ruin it. Your Motors manual should cover this. Also, if your car has the origional wiring, it will need to be replaced. The old cloth covered rubber insulation wire will be useless. I might add, all of the responses you have received are good sound advice.
This message was edited by cliftford on 3-4-14 @ 6:54 PM
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