Post by Galland on Apr 8, 2003 6:52:37 GMT -5
I have a 1964 Fairlane sedan. It hasn't run in about two years. When it was last driven, it was fairly out of tune and the power steering leaked like a sieve. It was otherwise sound except for iffy original brakes and a broken interior dome light. Fortunately it does not burn oil. That's a plus. I like to call this car "The Big Red Brick", as it is painted maroon and shaped like the aforementioned building material.
Searching for a new battery was a task. It's a common battery, but I'm a paranoid sort of person. When they asked me for my personal info at Advanced Auto, I stormed out. Eventually I realized that they just do this for the warantee. I guess I should take my tin foil anti-telemarketing and Goverment black helicopter hat off more often while in public. ;D
I wound up buying a battery at Advanced Auto and giving out the same information that struck panic into me earlier in the day. What was different was the staff- they are very meticulous and fast as can be. In short, they are professional.
On to the car- it has been sitting within eyesight of the ocean during the time of it's dormancy. The engine compartment and other components are understandably more rusty than they were two years ago. Fortunately nothing major has fallen off or become a solid pile of oxidation- at least nothing I can see.
The battery contacts were solidly rusted onto the terminals and getting them off was a real chore. At first I tried to remove them with a pair of plyers. I stripped the retaining nut on the negative contact. Then, and of course, only then, did I discover a ratchet set in a long-forgotten red tool box. I hammered off the negative contact and removed the positive contact with the rachet.
I was done for the day and went home to sleep. The car resides in my mom's driveway, under a car port. This is fortunate, as the sub-standard restoration job left a hole under the dash which allows water to seep through in heavy rain.
The following day, I brought the new battery and proceeded to put the contacts on without tightening them. I couldn't tighten one and couldn't get a grip on the other. After this, I squirted a bit of Starting Fluid into the 2bbl carb and attempted ignition. Turning the key slightly resulted in the gargantuan dash dials lighting up. The dome light also came on.
But, woe is me, the engine did not turn over when I turned the key all the way over. I got nothing- not even a revolution from the ancient generator. I heard a click and the power went off. This happened every time I tried to start the car. I had to wiggle the battery contacts every time I tried this. Apparently the negative contact is not grounded. In any case, the contacts are beaten up, crusy and probbably need to be replaced.
More reports will follow.
Galland
Searching for a new battery was a task. It's a common battery, but I'm a paranoid sort of person. When they asked me for my personal info at Advanced Auto, I stormed out. Eventually I realized that they just do this for the warantee. I guess I should take my tin foil anti-telemarketing and Goverment black helicopter hat off more often while in public. ;D
I wound up buying a battery at Advanced Auto and giving out the same information that struck panic into me earlier in the day. What was different was the staff- they are very meticulous and fast as can be. In short, they are professional.
On to the car- it has been sitting within eyesight of the ocean during the time of it's dormancy. The engine compartment and other components are understandably more rusty than they were two years ago. Fortunately nothing major has fallen off or become a solid pile of oxidation- at least nothing I can see.
The battery contacts were solidly rusted onto the terminals and getting them off was a real chore. At first I tried to remove them with a pair of plyers. I stripped the retaining nut on the negative contact. Then, and of course, only then, did I discover a ratchet set in a long-forgotten red tool box. I hammered off the negative contact and removed the positive contact with the rachet.
I was done for the day and went home to sleep. The car resides in my mom's driveway, under a car port. This is fortunate, as the sub-standard restoration job left a hole under the dash which allows water to seep through in heavy rain.
The following day, I brought the new battery and proceeded to put the contacts on without tightening them. I couldn't tighten one and couldn't get a grip on the other. After this, I squirted a bit of Starting Fluid into the 2bbl carb and attempted ignition. Turning the key slightly resulted in the gargantuan dash dials lighting up. The dome light also came on.
But, woe is me, the engine did not turn over when I turned the key all the way over. I got nothing- not even a revolution from the ancient generator. I heard a click and the power went off. This happened every time I tried to start the car. I had to wiggle the battery contacts every time I tried this. Apparently the negative contact is not grounded. In any case, the contacts are beaten up, crusy and probbably need to be replaced.
More reports will follow.
Galland