Thank you both for the reply. You're right, I should let the electric fuel pump run for longer before trying to start. Restarting after being driven the same day it fires right up. Glad you were there for me.

After sitting for a week or more my 1937 Packard turns over a lot before it starts. My concern is wearing out the starter! My vehicle came with an electric fuel pump and it sounds like it is working (pumping sound when you turn on the ignition key.) Is there a way to get fuel to the carburetor sooner? Or do I have another problem?

Thanks Wat_Tyler and Fish'n Jim for joining the conversation!

I contacted Optima regarding a charger for the AGM battery and have attached their reply below:

"Thank you for contacting Optima Customer Service. Unfortunately, Optima does not offer a 6V charger. Since there are many great battery chargers on the market, we do not have the capability of testing each one. We do not “Officially” endorse specific chargers, yet we will supply information about our charging recommendations.

The best method for consumers to maximize AGM battery performance or to recover a deeply discharged AGM battery is to use a modern AGM specific microprocessor-controlled charger with a conditioning/desulfation mode.



Battery Charger (Constant Voltage): 6.9 to 7.5 volts; 10 amps maximum; 6-12 hours approximate

Float Charge: 6.6 to 6.9 volts; 1 amp maximum; (indefinite time at lower voltages) "

I hope this will help someone else who might have the same question I did.

Thanks to David Packard, longjohn and Peter Packard for sharing your wealth of knowledge regarding my Packard electrical issue - I can't thank you enough. My goal is to be a good steward of my 1091 and retain the car in its 1999 restored condition (I'm told it was restored and featured at the Magnum Opus). Keep up the good work, you guys are a treasure!

Question. My stock 1937 Packard 120 came with two Optima, red top, 6 volt, AGM batteries. With the engine running I noticed that the generator gauge indicates no charging. It does work and shows much discharge when I turn on the headlamps. Will the generator damage the AGM batteries because it's not designed for AGM? Should I disconnect the generator or should I replace the AGM batteries with traditional lead-acid battery? Is there a work-around using AGM batteries? I found myself stranded with dead batteries - no fun...my wife was with me!

Looks like I'm running the vehicle on batteries only. I now trickle charge the batteries when not in use