I am looking to install an Optima 6-volt as well, but the price is $139!! You can get a regular heavy duty 6-volt for about $45.

Glad to hear you're making progress. But, are you saying some cylinders are lean and some aren't? Good luck, Jag

 

The reason the truck is running lean is due to the dual intake I'm running. I'm going to remedy the situation by putting on the stock intake and carb setup now that I'm back to the original points setup. I think the back carb had the needle stuck closed and the front carb was not supplying enough fuel evenly across the top of the engine. I also need to run the vaccuum advance now that I am back to the points. Finally, I found fuel in the oil front all of the nonsparking starting attempts. I am changing the oil, intake, carb, vaccuum line, and another fuel filter today. I am also going to try and find an optima so I know I can trust it with an inconsistent engine. The next thread I start will be on how to make sure the charging system is working and how to possibly rebuild a generator. Is it worth rebuilding or is it time for a one wire alternator setup and just go 12 volt? I want the cheapest fix because my credit card bill for the past month was $3900 in parts! I set an all time personal debt record! More progress to come.....

 

p.s.-where do you get a heavy duty 6 volt battery for $45. Both parts houses I deal with get $75 a piece for those things. Optimas can be ground down to nothing multiple times and still hold a charge and supply an enormous amount of amperage for long periods of time. Seems like a no brainer.

 

We have a store here called batteries Plus. I said heavy duty, but maybe it's a medium duty. Once you get your starting problem fixed the need for the optima may go away. I'm getting one for my show car because the stock battery is no longer made except thru an antique bat company. They want about $180 for the Ford Script 2N battery I have. I plan on gutting the old 2N and putting the optima inside.

My other Fairlane has the stock 272 uses the 6-volt battery from Battery Plus. It is not stock, but it's close enough.

 

IMO, shuck the gen and forget a $140 battery, buy a 1-wire alternator kit for the same price (incl. the alternator!). Then you can buy a high-quality 12v battery for $45. Undfortunately, you'll have to buy a 12v Pertronix if you really want one, or add a ballast resistor to the points.

 

so the next question is where do I get the kit from and does it include the bracket for the alternator? I was going to do it down the road, but why wait? I want to know that it will start everytime I try it. My 1944 MB jeep runs a 12 system, but I had to fabricate everything for that myself. It starts everytime and charges without a problem.....it's the simple things that make me happy!

 

Certified Electric sells them on eBay and off their website, either a complete slingshot mount with alternator, or just the bracket.

 

You can also check out this site for a bracket:

http://www.fifthaveinternetgarage.com/parts/index.html