Re: What next? Starter?

Posted by David Grubbs On 2014/9/21 8:07:43

It's usually easier to make your own battery cables rather than try to find a correct one. Go to a good Napa store, or a welding supply store and purchase the appropriate length of 00 (called double ought) cable and the correct end connectors. The ones I like to use are preloaded with flux and solder. You clamp the connector in a vise, cut back a bit of insulation so that the cable fits completely into the connector, then put it together and apply heat from a torch (propane or MAPP gas, not the English version, i.e. a flashlight!), and you have a nice heavy duty cable. On the ground, you can use a flat braided one if you can find the correct length. If not, use the double ought cable. On the prewar cars that used the frame as a ground, I like to add an additional ground from the frame to the engine as well. Just be sure to clean the paint, grease etc away from the grounding area, and use a star washer to bite into the metal. Bet you dinner that this cures your problem. But if it doesn't, pull the starter and take it to a local generator/starter repair shop and have it tested. It may be marginal - this happens sometimes after 60-70 years.....It's a relatively easy task for a good shop to bring the starter back up to snuff with new brushes and maybe bushings.