Gentlemen: For a 1953 P/U with 235 engine (pretty much all original - except alternator installed and electricals converted to 12 volt) what size battery - in terms of CCA, etc. is recommended. I don't drive her very often, but many times I have a problem starting the engine quickly. When I hit the starter button the engine turns over very slowly for a second or two - like I had a very weak or dying battery. But then after a couple seconds or so she'll crank over nicely and start. If she doesn't start quickly then she'll crank rather strongly until she does start. I had the starter pulled and took it to a shop that specializes in starters and I was told their was nothing wrong with the starter. I have heard some people say that for temperate climates (such as NorCal) CCA is not all that relevant. What's the story? Is it something other than a battery problem. Thanks in advance. Cheers Phil
Welcome to Nate's NutHouse, Phil! The next time you crank it up, check the timing. Your description sounds more like a timing issue than a battery issue.
Battery Size & Starting Hi Phil ; You didn't say _where_ the battery is located ~ if you're planning to use the original undercab battery box , you're stuck with eithere a BCI Group # 26 or an Optima battery (they're pricy but great) . If the battery box is on the firewall (or in a milk box on the running board , indicating it comes from cold weather country or was owned at one point by an *very* old man) , you'll find a standard BCI Group 24 will work just fine . I bet the battery cables are less than 1 Gauge tho' and that's prolly your primary fault ~ they _must_ be 0 or 1 gauge and the negative cable _MUST_ be connected directly to the tranny or engine block , not to the frame with a jumper ground cable - that simply won't work . After you've ordered up or made (I use 0 Gauge welding cables W/ soldered ends) some proper cables , go look up Tune up and Valve adjust and follow the steps closely , no ' by guess or by gosh ' B.S. here , once properly tuned your old clapped out 235 will instantly roar into life even on cold days
Hey Nate, I brought my battery box to Sears when I went to get the battery yesterday. A group 26 is WAY too small to fit the box under the floor. I think I bought a group 35 that fit the box perfectly. Have to modify the stock type hold-down a little bit, but other than that a perfect fit. Andy
You do need to get it tuned or the right size cables especially if it still has the 6 volt starter. They will last for years if you don't have to grind on them for a long time but give up before long if you do. I like using them because they really spin the engine fast and on my old 37 Buick the carb dribbles into the intake when hot so a quick spin with the carb held wide open cranks it right up. You'd think the float would get adjusted and a thermo block put under the carb but the shoemakers kid goes barefoot.
I Don't THINK So ! I have a Group 26 in my '49's battery box right now.... It's not as big as I'd like CCA wise but it fits and works . -Nate
Must be some problem with Sears and group sizes. Figured that might be so which is why I brought the box to the store to get a good match. I didn't mean to question your authority. Excuuuuuuuse me!!! Andy
I like cheap Delco batteries. Too bad I can't find them cheaper than the Sears batteries. Near me, the DieHard is actually less than almost anything else. Still happy that I brought the battery box to the store to match up battery sizes cause Sears will NOT take a battery back if it's been out of the store overnight. That has caused me grief in the past. Andy
I started to buy an Optima battery and the stores around here have stopped carrying them. Dealer stated that they are having problems, he didn't have an explanation. He thought they would be back on the market shortly; that was about 4 months ago. I haven't checked lately, i pull my battery when i'm not using it and keep it charged. I don't want any corrosion or leaking on my 15 years of restoration. Anyone know what happened with the Gel Cell batteries?
I went to the local alternator/starter shop and took my ruler. I bought a 12 volt Interstate Battery almost the same dewminsions as my old 6 volt. The shop owner looked at my Chevy starter, told me what it was off of and advised that the starter is a 6 volt and handed it back to me. He advised, "buy the 12v battery, you now have a 12 volt high torque starter!" I have ben using this battery now for over 6 years. It never freezes here since the globe has warmed up. I think it's about 75 cca. Be careful of your new battery's height, you don,t want it shorting to the floor cover. If you run the milk carton, size doesn't matter. Jim
All: Thanks for the ideas. The battery is located under the floor in the cab. I'll check the cable gauge (I thought it was 1) but it is connected to the frame. I will find a proper cable and connect it to the tranny. Is there a particular spot or bolt on the tranny that is best? Philip N.
How Thunder is grounded I replaced my cable years ago, put the cable back to the frame and connected the braided cable from the frame to the bell housing. In the right side of the photo you can see the black batery cable and the braided cable. All I know is that this set up is how the old truck was, and how I put it back. Jim
Nice Pic ! ...But that's dead wrong ~ you're forcing the cranking current to go through extra connections and that's simply not how it should be , esp. on a 6 volt vehicle as you're using twice the amperage . I have to change every one i work on because some lazy DPM couldn;t be bothered to do it right . The tranny bolt needed isn't important . Cables _must_ be as big as your thumb.... Usually you'll have to order them up but any FLAPS can do this . Expect the counter guy to argue the need for # 1 Gauge or larger .
OK Nate. You are dead right, about the counter guy argueing for 1 gauge cables. But since I am running 12 volt, and the system I used has worked fine for almost 6 years, do you suggest that I go to a bigger "thumb-sized' cable directly to the bell housing or tranny from the negative pole on my battery? I beleive i can find my original battery cables, but these were for the 6 volt battery and quite worse for wear. Looks like a trip to the local welding supply for some real big wire. sometimes easier than dealing with the FLAPS. Then, there is that NAPA store about 15 miles down the road. Jim
The NEED For Big Battery Cables Yes Jim ; I do = it will result in longer battery and starter life along with the alternator or generator plus it'll always crank faster & start quicker in any situation . Always attach the ground cable directly to the running gear , never to the frame ! .
OK Nate! I will relocate my ground wire this weekend, and get the bigger wires ordered asap. Always something, but I am a fan of prevention. My truck is almost renowned around these parts for how easy it starts. After cold cranking in the morning with a simple choke and spin, Thunder never asks for more than a touch of the starter pedal. I have even had folks in afternoon parking lot gatherings look at each other and point at my truck because it starts so quickly. Once a man simply said to his bride while they were sitting by their 57 belaire and she noted how quickly my truck started: "Chevrolet'. He made no further comment to her. My timing is right on and I now run a hidden set of Pertronix under my distributor cap. Just click, vroom, and I'm moving. I will change it because of Nates advise. Thanks again Nate. Jim
