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Joined: Apr 2010
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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I have a new (this year) Exide 6v group 1 battery, 00 cables and a new battery maintainer. Set up the maintainer yesterday and it went through its sequences (red, flashing green and solid green) without a hitch. This morning, with temps about 10-15 above, I tried to start my '32 just to see how well the system worked. Wouldn't crank fast enough to start so I gave up and reconnected the maintainer. Even after only a few seconds use, the battery was drained down, but came back to solid green after about a half hour. What should I conclude: that they just don't make batteries like they did when these cars were in daily year round use or that I have a starter issue that I should look into?
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Joined: Nov 2001
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Tech Advisor ChatMaster - 25,000
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Tech Advisor ChatMaster - 25,000
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The Mangy Old Mutt
"If It's Not Junk.....It's Not Treasure!"
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When was the last time you started the car? I had -3 here this AM so if your car was still in the barn at 8-9 AM it probably had not warmed up to the balmy 10-15. Pump twice and full choke it should start within a couple of revolutions if recently run.
Steve D
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ChatMaster - 750
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ChatMaster - 750
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"if recently run" is the key words here. With our current avail gas which seems to evaporate in the carb much faster than the old gas, you now have to turn the engine over enough to refill the carb bowl before any gas gets to the combustion chamber. This obviously puts more drain on the battery especially in cold weather. Even in the summer months (if the car hasn't been started recently) it takes a while to pump the gas up. As soon as gas hits the combustion chamber it fires right up.
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Joined: Apr 2010
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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OP
Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2010
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625 cca @ 0 f. 750 cca @ 32 f. Steve is probably right that it was nearer to 0 than 32.
Starter wouldn't spin enough to pump fuel to carb.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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Tech Advisor ChatMaster - 25,000
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Tech Advisor ChatMaster - 25,000
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The Mangy Old Mutt
"If It's Not Junk.....It's Not Treasure!"
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Backyard Mechanic
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Backyard Mechanic
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Pump the carb pump more than 2 times. I live in North Florida and have to pump it about 6 or 7 times, than it starts right up without using the choke.
My Chevy is over 70 years old and still running great. I hope I keep running cuz I just turned 81 !!
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Joined: Nov 2001
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Tech Advisor ChatMaster - 25,000
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Tech Advisor ChatMaster - 25,000
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The Mangy Old Mutt
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I would make sure you have a good ground (BARE METAL) and all connections are tight, also make sure you disconnect at least the ground when you are charging on maintainer. this is what i do.
If that all fails, i would have the battery tested, make sure no dead cells or shorting out !?!
Also can you hand crank the engine freely with not much effort (figuratively speaking). make sure the engine turns freely !!
if all that checks out, maybe it is the starter.
AACA - VCCA - Stovebolt - ChevyTalk
Love the Antique Chevrolet's from 1928-1932
The Beauty, Simplicity, History, and the Stories they Tell
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I would suspect the battery, the battery connections, the cables, or the starter. They don't have to spin to fast to start if everything is in good shape.
Ed
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Joined: Dec 2001
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Backyard Mechanic
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Backyard Mechanic
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My '32 cranks over more than long enough to fill the carb. bowl without draining the battery in this Ohio winter.
As you have described, I don't think the battery should pull down that quickly. I would take a look at that starter - sounds like it may be drawing too much current.
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Joined: Apr 2014
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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I have fitted a simple hand primer. It is a rubber 'bulb' fitted just before the fuel pump. If the car has not run for a while I give that 3-4 squeezes, which is enough to get fuel up to the carb. With that I don't have to use the battery to prime the carb.
PeterW
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Joined: Jul 2012
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Backyard Mechanic
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Backyard Mechanic
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There is also 1931 maintenance book guidelines to make adjustments on the carb for winter or summer use.
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I spoke with Goffe yesterday and he did get it started but advised that he also believes the starter needs attention.
Steve D
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