Starting it

[47ply]

One of those videos mentioned sometimes people just use an 8v  battery. I'll clean and replace a few cables and make sure the starter switch isn't the issue maybe. And then is there anything wrong with just putting in an 8v? Will it mess up amy gauges or anything?

[keithb7]

The premise  of the video is that a 6V battery is plenty adequate for a stock flathead 6-cylinder engine. If the electrical system is maintained properly. An 8V battery is a band-aid over the actual problem. 

[47ply]

I'm going to get some battery cables today. So 1/0 isn't overkill?

[Los_Control]

I ended up using some 2/0 cables from the local parts store. They were for diesel trucks or equipment & heavier then standard car battery cables.

They are not 1/0, but they work. I bought them because I have no supplier in my town for the heavier cable.

 

0/0 would not be over kill, 1/0 will be fine. 2/0 will get you by.

[47ply]

Now I wonder if I should get 0/0 haha

 

Thanks, I'll get 1/0,battery store said they could make me some. Hopefully they ain't worth their weight in gold or something 

[47ply]

Well i got the 2/0, I'll put on tomorrow. Only thing is the guy putting it together got the colors all mixed up. Guess I'll spray paint them or something I dunno. Both cables are orange color but the bands on the end are wrong colors. Cost like $45 bucks and darn near took an hour

[maok]

Do you have a battery cut-off switch? If so, maybe by-pass to see if there's an issue with it.

Edited December 18, 2021 by maok

[47ply]

No cutoff switch, thanks for the suggestion, should i get one?

 

Update. It was hard to start and harder to restart after i kill it

 

Now i fires right up even in 12*f weather! And even better i can start it right up again even if i kill it. Thank you for all the help!

 

I put 2/0 cables on. Cleaned every connection real good. New nuts and washers. Moved the ground from the water outlet to the oil bath connection. The cables had the wrong colors but i think they are long enough so i just switched them.

 

 Full choke, one pump, hold it open a little. Then remove choke and set throttle pull to idle. 

 

Thank you for all your tips and suggestions!!

[keithb7]

I am glad to hear you fixed the issue with proper sized battery cables.  As many of us have experienced, there is no need to switch to 12V or install an 8V battery to get the engine to start better.

[soth122003]

I'll lay dollars to doughnuts if you peel the insulation at the connections on your old cables, you'll find they are corroded and discolored.

 

Joe Lee