VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 1950 chevy

my 50 chevy came with a 216 then they swaped out for a 235 my question is i bought the car and it has an 8 volt battery when i went to replace with 6 volt it would not kick over why and what could be the problem it starts with a jump and will run but unable to restart with 6 volt if you have any thoughts let me know PS when i drove it for about 8 hours the battery discharged i dont know were to start with the repair is it the starter the voltage regulator or the generator any suggestions will be helpfull thank you and thanks for the help on the door check link

Hi rosey,

My first recommendation is to get rid of the 8-volt battery and any items associated with it.

Sounds like your gererator is not working. After installing a 6-volt battery, disconnect the red wire on the generator. Remove the fan belt, touch the red wire directly to the wire coming out of the generator. This should make the generator act like a motor. It will spin, but not very fast. If it doesn't, then remove the generator for rebuild. While that is being done, build yourself a set of battery cables. The positive cable should be made from welding cables. The ground strap should be one made for a 6-volt car. (Big).



If you are still having problems, come on back with your symptoms, and we will try again.

Antique mechanic gives good advice. Spend your time cleaning up the contacts,get proper sized cables, readjust the regulator and return to 6V. There is a lengthy thread in the archives about the faults of 8v. Most of which boils down to the fact that going to 8v covers what ever the problem was but does not cure it and someday some way you will have to spend the time getting it right.

Absolutely, keep your car 6 volts. On the starting problem, also check your battery connections and your ground. You might also try to repolarize your generator. And, keep in mind that if the generator will motor it could still be defective.

Good luck!

:) :grin:

thanks for all the advice i will start work on it this week and let you know the outcome i hope it is an easy fix and get her back on the road ps one other thing what type of screw driver is used on the screws of the volt regulator never seen them before also when i last drove the car and the battery discharged everthing else was working the car was on the lights worked this electrical problems are a pain and it seems like i am chasing my tail tring to figure it out so thanks for all your advice will keep you posted

When you were driving before, did you notice the amp-meter. Was it charging, discharging or remain at the center position?

Without needed testing equipment, I recommend you place the cap back on the voltage regulator and look elsewhere.

The voltage regulator uses "clutch head" screws. You can get "clutch head" screwdrivers from the Filling Station in Lebanon, Oregon. Go here: www.fillingtation.com

:) :grin:

thanks again for the name of the screw drivers ordered them yes idid notice the meter and it was in the middle than moved to the "D" one other thing was that when i drove this car it had an 8 volt battery and the resent owner noticed the meter to be in the "C" range and sugested i drive with the lights on and this moved the meter to the middle i just don't understand this and i am having my starter checked to make sure it is not a 12 volt and my generator for whether it works or not for such a simple system it is frustrating thank you for your help