Posted By |
Discussion Topic:
Starting a 1940 ford coupe
-- page:
1
2
3
|
|
40guy |
05-16-2014 @ 6:18 PM
|
|
|
Member
Posts: 270
Joined: Oct 2009
|
I have an all original 1940 ford coupe with the flat head V8. I am trying to start it but when I do it will turn over about 4 turns and slowly quit until it stop and buzzes. I have but a battery charger on it and set it to 6 volt crank but it continues to do the same thing. I really need some help because the owner of the car just passed away and I am the only one left to keep his cars going. I am thinking that the battery may be shot and its not letting it charge therefore not letting it crank. Please give me suggestions. Thanks
|
CharlieStephens |
05-16-2014 @ 6:37 PM
|
|
|
Senior
Posts: 888
Joined: Oct 2009
|
Have you tried jumping it with another 6 volt car? I would pull the battery and take it to a store that sells batteries and have it "load tested". It usually doesn't cost anything if they think they might be able to sell you a battery. Charlie Stephens
|
40guy |
05-16-2014 @ 7:08 PM
|
|
|
Member
Posts: 270
Joined: Oct 2009
|
I hooked up a battery charger that is for starting, The portable kind on wheels. I set it on 6 volt starting and it turned over a tick stronger like it is suppose to for a coupe turns and then it died down and quit again.
|
40guy |
05-17-2014 @ 6:57 AM
|
|
|
Member
Posts: 270
Joined: Oct 2009
|
And if it is the battery what kind is the best to put back in it?
|
rotorwrench |
05-17-2014 @ 7:07 AM
|
|
|
Member
Posts: 59
Joined: Jul 2012
|
The 6-volt systems require clean terminal connections and proper wire or cable size for the least resistance to current flow. Cleaning terminals and insuring the correct guage of cable from battery to solenoid/ground & solenoid to starter is a start. The starter may be dragging due to bearing wear or the brushes may be worn down & have a dirty commutator or the like. A battery can be tested with a high rate dicharge test but it is getting difficult to find shops that have any 6-volt test equipment now days. It may be easier to purchase a new battery if it is supect. Good gound return connections are a must too. Starter to block, block to frame, and battery to frame or block all need to be checked. 6-Volt systems have a low electromotive force by design so well maintained circuits are a must. Some folks like the little Optima battery but any new 6-volt battery that fits the box should do.
This message was edited by rotorwrench on 5-17-14 @ 7:11 AM
|
40guy |
05-17-2014 @ 8:03 AM
|
|
|
Member
Posts: 270
Joined: Oct 2009
|
Everything on the car is correct for the car and concorse. I know everything such as that is correct. The positive terminal won't fit all the way down on the optimum terminal. Could this be my troubles?
|
TomO |
05-17-2014 @ 8:29 AM
|
|
|
Senior
Posts: 7250
Joined: Oct 2009
|
If you have an Optima battery in the car, you need to do a slow charge, 10 amps maximum for 6-12 hours. Using the boost function of the charger can damage the battery. After you charge it, you can test it to see if it charged up fully, by using a meter across the battery and cranking the engine with the starter. The battery voltage should remain above 5.5 volts while cranking the engine. The same procedure will work for a conventional battery. Patience is the key to maintaining these old cars.
Tom
|
40guy |
05-17-2014 @ 8:34 AM
|
|
|
Member
Posts: 270
Joined: Oct 2009
|
The only time I had the charger hooked up was to crank the engine and I had it set to the start position. Again, it still would not crank the engine but would die and eventually quit. I left the battery in the car with nothing turned on and checked it with a meter and it read a little over 6 volts then I turned the lights on and it fell to 1volt. Do I have a dead cell issue possibly?
|
39topless |
05-17-2014 @ 9:17 AM
|
|
|
Member
Posts: 77
Joined: Feb 2013
|
FIRST!!!! You need to charge the battery like TomO says. If it won't hold a charge, go get a new battery.
|
keith oh |
05-17-2014 @ 12:22 PM
|
|
|
New Member
Posts: 116
Joined: May 2010
|
No FIRST!!!! You need to check the water level in battery, then charge.
|