Re: 53 Packard Clipper engine won't turn over

Posted by Rusty O\'Toole On 2009/6/17 14:22:06

Are the battery cables clean and tight at both ends? 6 volt cars are especially critical in this area. Also you need thick #1 cables as has been previously stated.

Another thing to check is that there is a ground between the engine and battery. On your car the ground wire is supposed to go to the engine block. If so, check and make sure there is a small ground wire between the engine and body. Usually this is back near the firewall but they have a way of getting lost over the years.

Your engine is mounted on rubber so if it happens to flop around in a certain position you can end up with no ground to the body or frame. I have seen a choke cable get red hot and burn off when this happened. The choke cable was grounding the engine.

If the batt is grounded to the body or frame like a newer car, make sure there is a good big ground wire to the engine.

These are things that can be checked and fixed for little or no money.