I was using an ZDDP additive to the Valvoline 30 wt oil I have been using for my 51 "300", but I cant seem to find the same additive.( They changed the packaging.)( I Think. ) I have had no issues, but I know the car needs an oil change, so in a way I am in the same boat as the original poster of this thread.ie: not sure what way to go. I Like the ZDDP additive, and have had no issues. What ZDDP additive?

I needed to raise the engine on my 51 300. The pan was hitting the frame. at the time I could see no other option

The engine should be Grey not Green shouldn't it? The oil bath air cleaner was an extra cost item as well... or added later. Maybe not the original motor?

Yeah, Did that today. New battery, problem solved. Thank you everyone. Brian

With the car running at fast idle, voltage is any where from 7.1 to 7.8 depending on engine rpm. (Its hard to hold both contacts on the terminals and rev the car up without dropping the meter into the fan blades.)(Just missed!) I am pretty sure its the battery. My fading memory recalls that this battery is not all that new. not sure how old but surely over 3 years. My guess it does not owe me a thing. Seems to me it was a tad sluggish on restart last year. Brian

Thank you for the tip. I will try that in the morning. I thought the car should have finished off the charge as well. The battery is now charging at 3.6 amps

After getting the charging rate down to 3.6amps (The charger says the battery is 75% charged.) it started the car. after a 15 min drive (To the car wash.) it almost didn't start. voltage was down to 6.1 volts. Went back up to charging at 6 amps when I put it back on the charger. in 20 mins it was back down to 3.8 amps. drove her two 20 min trips with an hour charging in between and when I got home it would not start the car. I am gonna leave it on the charger ( Its charging at 5.9 amps) till I go to bed tonight. I am thinking I need a new battery. Maybe it just needs more charging. Maybe the next 6 hours will tell the tale. Brian, Bye the way ,since I wrote this the rate is about 5.2Amps

Thank you for the information. My charger is new and only charges 6 volts at a 6 amp setting. The battery is now charging at a little under 5 amps. scratch that, now at 4.5amps. Hopefully this will work. Thank you to all. Brian

Went back to the storage unit to get the battery. It was at 5.95volts. it is now on the charger charging at 6amps

I only have a voltage meter. two contacts they have to be held by hand. the lights came back up after the attempt. the battery contacts are clean as a whistle. I always disconnect the battery when she is not in use. didn't get much time from this battery. if that is the problem. oh it did charge very high amps when connected to the charger. never did that before. stayed there too but volts went up from 5.something to 6.3. in about an hour