Re: 1951 Packard 288 dual 12V/6V cranking battery

Posted by su8overdrive On 2024/3/20 18:50:01

Why on earth? One (1) 6-volt Optima has enough to spin my '47's nine-main-bearing, 7.5:1 compression 356-ci engine; it will easily spin a 327, let alone a 288. (800) 426-7580, Jim's Battery Manufacturing, Youngstown, OH, has a 6-volt, 55-amp, positive ground alternator, bolt in, no butchering whatsoever. Tell Jim and Dolores that Mike, '47 Super Clipper, Walnut Creek, CA and Hans, '47 Custom Super, British Columbia referred you.

Weight is the enemy. Why do you want to drive around with a pair of off-gassing, leaky, wet, h e a v y batteries? I got almost a decade each from my last two Optimas, know of a '41 Cad that went 14 years. C-Tek UC 800 trickle charger is the one you want. An Optima tech so recommended in the late '90s, no regrets since.

Yours stick and overdrive? Had a '51 200 40-48 years ago. Good ergonomics, good road cars, esp. w/ stick/OD, drab as an ordnance vehicle within. Even w/ that lock up Dynaflow, "Uncle" Tom McCahill preferred it over the 400 Patrician. Yours is a relatively light two-door. Jettison every pound. Spray everything you can with oil to protect from Charleston's salt air.

And you don't need cupholders. Just fill the sliding metal glovebox with ice and some long straws.