HOW TO TECHNICAL TIPS FROM UNCLE MILT. Does your collectible vehicle go unh-unh-unh- not start. But the battery voltage was back up

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1 HOW TO TECHNICAL TIPS FROM UNCLE MILT Six-Volt Battery Performance By Uncle Milt Does your collectible vehicle go unh-unh-unh- not start. But the battery voltage was back up ---unh, and the engine won't start? This is to 6.1 volts [at rest] after sitting a while. I tried what happened on my 1925 Model T Ford it again; it [the cranking voltage] was down to Runabout. "It's been sitting since I put it away 4.3 volts and the starter motor turning slower. last September [2006]. I understand it's El I felt the starter. It was warm, but not hot! Nino season [mid January 2007] and the I believe the cranking speed was too ambient temperatures are getting down low for start up to suck fuel up into the around 30º - 35º in the garage. The battery cylinders even with excessive choking. only needs to be charged up," I said. "And it Stop now and put in a new Group 1 used to start up OK before I put the T away." 650 CCA [cold cranking amp] six-volt So, I get the charger out and charge up the battery. These batteries may be purchased at battery all day. The ambient temperature goes NAPA or CARQUEST Auto Parts stores. up to 55ºF maximum. Battery Cable Maintenance: Stop again, we I tried the T starter again, and it turns need to clean and service the battery cables, over, better, but the engine would not start! connectors and the battery case. See Photos I checked the gas, carburetor, choke 1 through 8. and spark. All's perfect. It should start right up! Note: 12-volt cables [four or six So, just to get it going, I jumped the T battery gauge] don't work on a six-volt system. with a six-volt battery [+] to [+] and [ ] to [ ]. Ohm's Law says the six-volt cables must be [Turn your head sideways as you connect heavy duty [available from CARQUEST, each cable]. Even with a good six-volt jumper NAPA, most antique auto parts houses, or battery, it would not start! Model T parts houses] and at least a one- I removed the jumper cables [always gauge [1] or larger! remove the negative ground clamp first [turn Four or six gauge cables get hot and your head sideways during disconnect]. you lose precious voltage to the starter. The One week later, I go through all the heat [watts] dissipates through the four or six same stuff again. The battery and the starter, gauge cables and wastes into the atmosphere this time; the starter sounded weaker than last as heat! time, but it still cranks. Should I do this every Please review the Ultimate Checklist in week, and keep a trickle charger hooked up the March-April Vintage Ford Magazine. It continually? Or should I just get a new 8- or outlines all these six-volt tests and how to 12-volt battery, stuff it in, and start my car up check the entire battery and cranking system every week? using a digital voltmeter. Here's how to check your six-volt Install one-gauge or larger cables. battery-starter system: Loosen, clean corrosion with soda water, and Battery Test: Hook up a voltmeter re-tighten all cable connectors and the starter across the battery [+] test lead on the [+] post switch nuts. and [ ] test lead on the [ ] battery post. Note: Gently loosen the starter cable nut, The negative post should be the ground to tighten the inner [lower nut], WD-40 the the frame and the engine on a Model T Ford. threads and tighten until just snug. Install the Full charge should be at least 6.4 volts cable and upper nut. Jamb the upper nut measured at the battery with all switches off again. and not cranking. Please review Photo 2 in the Have your helper pull the brake lever January/February 2007 issue of Vintage Ford back, block the wheels, and crank the engine. Magazine on Model T Ford Starter My Model T engine cranked at 4.5 volts Overhaul. measured at the battery and the engine would Clean all parts: Soak the cable

2 connectors and battery hold down hardware in about 50ºF. You may get the same results I do baking soda and water. Let soak for at least an in Sacramento! Try all the above. You'll like the hour. Sand off the old paint and primer parts. results on any six-volt starter system. Paint with spray can. See Photos 1 through Twelve-volt battery problems: In my 8. experience, here's what a 12-volt battery does Note: The paint just slows down to your six-volt Model T cranking system. We corrosion build up. The paint will not stop install a new 12-volt battery, pound on the corrosion. cables with a hammer [Yuk!] and it starts right Install battery: Install the new 650 CCA up! [cold cranking amp] six-volt battery, install the Then, the six-volt generator stops working. So cables, [+] first, and the [ ] ground second. I get a new 12-volt alternator, bolt it on, start Clean the posts and cable innards with a up the engine; WOW, it's now all fixed up. battery cable brushes. See Photos 4 and 5. I have experienced Model T and other Clean the paint off the frame ground. model makes equipped with Bendix drive Spread the cable with battery spreader pliers. problems using 12-volt batteries many times. See Photo 9. The Bendix drive bolts eventually work loose, Do not pound the connectors with a the Bendix spring may break, and the starter hammer See Photo 10. Install new battery motor smells funny every time it starts. Ohms' bolts. Law doesn't like a 12-volt battery and four - Smear grease [I use silicone grease] on six-gauge cables on a six-volt system. the posts and cable connector post contact Note: If you use the lights, change the surfaces. See Photos 12, 13, 14, and 15. six-volt bulbs to 12-volts. I find the wiring's A Better Ground: In addition, add a kinda old, and I shoulda changed the wiring one [1] gauge battery cable with the flat end loom when I restored the car back to original. eyelets from a bolt on the frame. Route the Recommendations: I strongly, other eyelet end to a transmission starter recommend you stay with the six-volt battery mount bolt. You'll be amazed how a six-volt on a six-volt system. Instead of going to all the system will wake up, plus the engine will start expense, frustration, and wasting time with an within five-seconds on a Model T! Of course, 8- or 12 -volt battery on a six-volt system! all tune-up items have to be correct and at If you don't do all this stuff, the Bendix bolts specification! and locks may work loose, and then the Test again: Perform the same tests as Bendix may fail or jam up. before you started. See Photos 16 and 17. In the worst case, you may ruin the flywheel The next day, I tried the voltage tests on ring gear. You know what this will take for the new six-volt battery. Rest voltage was 6.4. repairs and the costs! [Full charge]. Cranking voltage was a Starter Overhaul: If you perform all the above, whopping 5.2 volts when cranking cold. Very the starter still may not crank the engine good for a Model T Ford. After cranking for 30 adequately for easy start up on a cold engine. seconds, key off, the voltage increased from Now you know the whole battery and cable 5.2 to 5.3 volts during crank! The Model T Ford systems are sound. If the cranking is still slow multiple disk clutch was freeing up with cold and/or the cranking voltage is less than 5.0 cranking. volts on a six-volt system; the next step is to Start up: Now the T starts within five have the starter overhauled at a starter reseconds upon beginning the cranking when build shop. cold! This is good for a Model T and the starter Ground Cable: Measure the voltage drop from sounds energetic. the negative post to the engine ground. The Most old vehicles will start within two seconds maximum should not exceed 0.3 volt [threefrom beginning crank. tenths volt maximum] during cranking. Clean Results: How's that? Well now you say all joints and sand off the paint. Re-install with this is all great and good, but my car is stored motor oil on the threads. in Upper Michigan and its 0ºF all winter! Tip on Collectible Vehicles: Add a redundant I recommend you heat your garage up to one [1] gauge ground cable from the frame

3 ground bolt and connect the other end to a transmission bolt. Continued Service: I recommend you perform this service at least twice a year on your six-volt system. Your battery may last through the warranty period! Comment: I believe six-volt systems should stay six-volts. Twelve-volt systems should stay 12-volts. The Ohms Law and auto engineers knew what they were doing when they built the 1919 Model T Fords equipped with accessory electrical systems, starter, and generator! If you choose to convert to 12-volts, please, please upgrade the 12-volt system with 12-volt alternators, 12-volt bulbs, and 12-volt horns. The standard wiring for six-volt will work on 12- volt systems. Install new wiring! Take the starter to a starter repair shop and have it converted from six-volts to 12-volts. Be sure and convert the starter relay from six to 12 volts. As you re-install the starter, install an NOS Bendix starter spring, new bolts, and lock tab washers. In my experience, 12-volts will sometimes loosen stuff up, so re-check the bolts and locks often. References: 1. Ultimate Checklist, Vintage Ford magazine, March-April 2007, by Milt Webb. 2. Chapter 18, Tuning Up Autos and Trucks, A Guidebook of Solutions for Testing, Evaluating, and Analyzing Computer Controlled Vehicles. PHOTO 1 Battery Corrosion: On battery carrier frame. Remove and soak in soda water PHOTO 2 Corrosion!: Hold down clamps and block wood spacebar.

4 PHOTO 3 Corrosion: Hold down hardware must be soaked in soda water, then painted to educe corrosion build-up. PHOTO 4 Clean the Post: With a battery post wire brush. PHOTO 5 Clean the Connector: With a battery post wire brush Remove and soak in ends in soda water. if there's green stuff on the original cables, replace with one [1] gauge heavy duty battery cable on a six-volt system. PHOTO 6 Clean Corrosion: Soak all parts in soda water. Clean and paint with Krylon spray paint

5 PHOTO 7 Clean Paint Battery Case: This is a Model T Ford battery case with a wood strip in the bottom. PHOTO 8 Clean Corrosion and Paint: This is a Model T Ford battery case. It was full of corrosion. Clean with soda water. Scrub with a wire toothbrush. PHOTO 10 No, No, Don't pound it on with a hammer PHOTO 9 Spread Connector: Use battery pliers to spread cable connector. PHOTO 11 Corrosion: Protection: Grease the clean post with any kind of grease. This will slow down the corrosion build-up.

6 PHOTO 13 Spread Cable: Spread the connector so it will slide down the post without pounding it. PHOTO 14 Tightening Bolt: Install new battery bolts. Hold the back end of the cables as you tighten the nut. PHOTO 15 Correct Installation: Battery connector flush with battery post top. Hold down hardware, installed. PHOTO 16 Full Charge, New Battery is before cranking 6.4 volts PHOTO 17 Cranking Voltage: New battery, 5.3 volts during cranking. This voltage on a cold Model T Ford engine. An 8- or 12-volt is unnecessary on any 6- volt system!