Why 00 battery cables?
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,362
Likes: 419
From: Monmouth County, NJ
Why 00 battery cables?
I finally broke down and listened to all the stock 6v guys on here; all 5 of them..I recently replaced all of my battery cables, except the positive strap (that’s still the original braided strap) ,with double zero gauge cables along with the correctly rebuilt original OEM starter motor on my 6 V pos. ground 52, truck. Now the truck starts flawlessly and very quickly! But as I understand it, the original specification on the battery cables was a 2 gauge. That’s what you’re going to get from an OEM supply source.
000,00,0,1,2,3,4. The higher the number the thinner the cable correct? So my question is why didn’t Ford originally specify a double zero gauge and why did you guys settle on double zero? Not a 1 or 0?
cause the truck starts like a 12v now it’s simply amazing.
000,00,0,1,2,3,4. The higher the number the thinner the cable correct? So my question is why didn’t Ford originally specify a double zero gauge and why did you guys settle on double zero? Not a 1 or 0?
cause the truck starts like a 12v now it’s simply amazing.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,095
Likes: 655
From: Brentwood, TN
You can never have a wire/cable that is too large, so if you can afford the larger cable go for it. In today's market, as opposed to that in the early 50's, there is a far wider variety of premium high-strand, flexible cable that completely outperforms the OEM cables. Since this is YOUR truck, and you are not building thousands to sell, the profit margin is not a factor so indulge yourself.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,362
Likes: 419
From: Monmouth County, NJ
You can never have a wire/cable that is too large, so if you can afford the larger cable go for it. In today's market, as opposed to that in the early 50's, there is a far wider variety of premium high-strand, flexible cable that completely outperforms the OEM cables. Since this is YOUR truck, and you are not building thousands to sell, the profit margin is not a factor so indulge yourself.
I’m finally done!
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,362
Likes: 419
From: Monmouth County, NJ
Yes, the OEM type cable is the only one on there, I was wondering if that would have any effect on the new cables? But it does start like a banshee now.
I like my original one as it even has the FOMOCO terminal on the end. So I didn’t really want to change it up.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,837
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From: Mason City, Iowa
If I recall correctly (and that's a big IF) your OE branded cable could be classified as a #2 sized cable. If that is the case, there would be sort of a current "bottle neck" and could get very warm to the touch in the event you are having a hard time starting the truck with extended cranking. If you run into a situation like that I would take a set of jumper cables and using just one side adding a second ground connection between the battery and the engine block. But if it's starting great, which it sounds like it does, I would leave it. Besides it shows the FoMoCo logo on it which is way cool.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 2,442
Likes: 256
I made 00 like you and have great starting. Good brushes and new springs really help on the 6v starter. I think a lot of times the starter gets over restored. That ground has to go through it, ground needs a good clean path through the starter body and bolts.
Maybe the reason they didn’t use 00 back when was the flexibility. I used welding cable and it’s like a piece of rubber.
JB
Maybe the reason they didn’t use 00 back when was the flexibility. I used welding cable and it’s like a piece of rubber.
JB
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,362
Likes: 419
From: Monmouth County, NJ
If I recall correctly (and that's a big IF) your OE branded cable could be classified as a #2 sized cable. If that is the case, there would be sort of a current "bottle neck" and could get very warm to the touch in the event you are having a hard time starting the truck with extended cranking. If you run into a situation like that I would take a set of jumper cables and using just one side adding a second ground connection between the battery and the engine block. But if it's starting great, which it sounds like it does, I would leave it. Besides it shows the FoMoCo logo on it which is way cool.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,362
Likes: 419
From: Monmouth County, NJ
That’s a good one! I think I’m gonna print that out in color and frame it and give it to my wife for Christmas! She keeps asking me ..
But seriously, I just meant being done with the bad part. I’ve been through hell and back with this truck various parts going bad repeatedly, various issues. I’ve even shocked several of my newer Car friends with my trials and tribulations all part of the learning experience and the fun. I don’t really take it that seriously.
But seriously, I just meant being done with the bad part. I’ve been through hell and back with this truck various parts going bad repeatedly, various issues. I’ve even shocked several of my newer Car friends with my trials and tribulations all part of the learning experience and the fun. I don’t really take it that seriously.
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,362
Likes: 419
From: Monmouth County, NJ
I made 00 like you and have great starting. Good brushes and new springs really help on the 6v starter. I think a lot of times the starter gets over restored. That ground has to go through it, ground needs a good clean path through the starter body and bolts.
Maybe the reason they didn’t use 00 back when was the flexibility. I used welding cable and it’s like a piece of rubber.
JB
Maybe the reason they didn’t use 00 back when was the flexibility. I used welding cable and it’s like a piece of rubber.
JB
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 2,442
Likes: 256
When we built our 52, I actually made a 00 ground braid strap for the battery to block. It was pretty heavy duty and didn’t look stock so I put the stock one back on. I didn’t notice any change. I think you will be fine with the stock ground strap.
JB
JB
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 1,537
Likes: 534
Great Thread!
6V 223 6cyl here. This was very helpful. I am not near putting the engine back in but I learned something.
Can you tell me a bit more about that bracket. I don't see anything like that on my engine and I actually had 2 engines.
thanks all
6V 223 6cyl here. This was very helpful. I am not near putting the engine back in but I learned something.
thanks all