Slow Cranking Flathead Solved:

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Jun 16, 2019 | 10:51 AM

leonharu

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 969

Likes: 71

From: Cherryville,N.C.

Slow Cranking Flathead Solved:

For years my truck has always cranked OK but was slow.I thought it was just the nature for 6 volt to be that way?I decided yesterday that my cables were looking a little ragged and time to change them.I had new 00 size made up at NAPA and installed.I will have to say that was one of the best moves made.I could not believe the difference.Dang truck turns over almost like a 12 volt now!Just wanted to share a problem solved.

Jun 16, 2019 | 11:13 AM

bobj49f2

Hotshot

Joined: Jan 2001

Posts: 16,888

Likes: 3,133

From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)

Same here. My flat six always seemed to crank OK also. I've had the same cables on the truck for over 25 years. Last fall it really started to act up. I looked at the cable from the battery to the head of the engine and noticed the cable going into the cable end was brown and the copper wire was green. I went to the local farmer supply store and bought a thick tractor battery cable, about twice as thick as the original cable which was about twice as thick as any cable I could get at the local MacParts store. Man, the truck just cranks over like a demon now.

Jun 16, 2019 | 11:21 AM

electricmaniac

Mountain Pass

Joined: Sep 2017

Posts: 235

Likes: 25

From: Solvang CA

Yep, right size cables, and right number of cables can solve a lot of cranking problems.
Both posts on battery of course.
Frame to engine strap/cable helps.
Starter cables right size too.

I am putting on a new braided positive ground strap. I will keep old one just in case.
New one seems thinner??? Hope it carries current.

Jun 16, 2019 | 11:23 AM

leonharu

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 969

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From: Cherryville,N.C.

Mine were looking the same way Bob.That is what made me realize it was time to change.

Jun 16, 2019 | 11:27 AM

leonharu

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 969

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From: Cherryville,N.C.

Quote:

Originally Posted by electricmaniac

I don’t think the braided cable carries as much as 00 copper cable will?

Jun 16, 2019 | 12:44 PM

FortyNiner

Logistics Pro

Joined: Jun 2011

Posts: 4,995

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From: u-rah-rah Wisconsin

Flat, woven griund straps were factory original. I'm assuming the folks at Ford knew their stuff.

Jun 16, 2019 | 01:19 PM

ALBUQ F-1

Fleet Owner

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 27,299

Likes: 1,059

From: NM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leonharu

I don’t think the braided cable carries as much as 00 copper cable will?

I tried to find data on current capacity / resistance of flat woven cables at one point, and what little I found indicated they are nowhere near as good as wire cables with a high conductor count. I presume it's because they don't "share" load as effectively (loose weave), and the conductors are coated with zinc (galvanized). Straps are less susceptible to vibration tho.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FortyNiner

Flat, woven griund straps were factory original. I'm assuming the folks at Ford knew their stuff.

$$$$$$ is what they knew best...