I'm new to working on trucks (or any vehicle) this old. Last weekend I bought a '52 f-3. I went to the seller's house and checked it out. It started and ran amazing! Well, when I got it back to the house after towing it on a dolly through negative temps it wouldn't start. It would only click when I hit the starter button. I thought it might be the relay so I changed it and got the same result so I had my wife pull me with my other truck as I popped the clutch with the tranny in 2nd. When I tried to start it after that I had no problem. It's been stored in the garage and I haven't had a problem starting it at all. Everthing is original and it has 64,000 miles on it with no rebuild. I live in North Dakota and wonder if it could be something to do with the cold weather here. Is this just a fluk or something I need to fix? Any help or suggestions would be great!

 

Without seeing it hard to say but could have been a bad, loose or corroded connection on one of the battery cables or at the starter.

 

I have heard that these trucks with the 6 volt system in them have these problems a lot.

 

Would it be worth converting to 12 volts? The truck runs great as is. What are the downsides to converting to 12?

 

Your 6V system will work fine, no need to switch to 12V. The most important thing about the 6V systems is good connections. Make sure all connections are clean. Even if they look clean from a casual inspection take them apart and clean them with a piece of sand paper. If you have problems with dim lights the problem is most likely a dirty point of ground.

The problem you described sounds like a dirty connection on your starter. It's a very common problem. When it was at the sellers house there was just enough contact to to innergize the starter. When you got it home, after bouncing around on the dolly, the clean contact was probably broke. After you pulled it around the block the same thing happened, it probably enough to make contact again. Disconnect the cable at the starter and solenoid and clean both ends of the cable with a piece of sandpaper. Make sure the connections are tight.

 

For better starting especially in cold weather and for stereo & other accessories 12 volts is a bonus.
Not really much of a down side except for the work involved and straying away from a pure stock truck.
I`ll change my 53 M 350 over this summer, it not that great at starting at present.

 

I agree. When my dad used my truck on a regular basis for his auto repair business back in the '70s he had a extra 12V system in the truck to boost the 6V starter on cold days. I run my F-2 on a 6V system now and when it drops below 40 degrees it doesn't always want to start quickly. I just was thinking about keeping it stock. If he's only going to use it during the warm months I don't see a reason to switch to 12V unless he wants to. Also, he said he was able to start it at the seller's house so I don't think the 6V system is the issue, it might be the bad connections.

I agree also it's no big deal to switch it over to the 12V system.

 

The main reason I want to switch is to have some tunes and my truck`s engine needs the extra help in starting I think as it`s not in the best of shape.
Other wise I wouldn`t go to the extra work, if it ain`t broke don`t fix it....

 

Thanks for the help. I'll clean the connections up tommorrow and see how it does from there.

 

Let us know how it works. I'm curious to see if that is the problem.

 

I had a simillar problem when i got my 52 F-2. it has the 6v in it and I got it to turn over with new battery, fluids, and an once over. She popped right off,just to see if it was cappable I didn't run or drive it. after that though it would click like you said. I followed and cleaned every connector frome the key and push button all the way through the motor. after that no more gremlins. Then i tore it down and started the rebuild. also they don't like the cold 6 or 12v, hell she is 55 yrs old and probally needs a little tlc hahaha. Good luck, Casey

 

I would also look at the starter motor. Easy to disassemble and clean. I agree that a corroded connection in the starter circuit is the first thing to check. If your battery can provide the current required to the starter in cold weather look at the starter. Back in the 60's I spent alot of my time banging on my starter with a lug wrench. Too lazy to disassemble and clean the brushes and commutator.

 

I've heard that quite a few people go with an 8-volt battery. I'm sure someone here will pipe up with the pros or cons of that, but I've heard that it doesn't harm anything, and helps a lot...anyone with more experience?

R

 

I think your problem is in the starter, and will eventually return. For sure clean and tighten all connections, but I have read about starters developing a dead spot. When the starter hapens to stop on this dead spot it woln't turn over until it gets moved or vibrated off of the dead spot. If you are mechanically inclined, taking the starter apart. cleaning and replacing worn parts may help. Otherwise I would be looking for a place to buy a starter in case the problem returns.

 

I have info on a place in ohio that does all kinds of batterys and all the wirering you need to hook them up. will get it to you when i get home, might be helpful.