68 Starter solenoid question - NCRS Discussion Boards

68 Starter solenoid question

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  • Joe L.
    Beyond Control Poster
    • February 1, 1988
    • 43193

    #16
    Re: Starter problem appears to be solved

    Kurt-----

    As it stands, we don't know if the problem was the battery or the starter. By creating TWO VARIABLES (i.e. replacement of both the battery and the starter), it's going to be pretty tough to isolate the exact source of the problem. Also, I'm not sure if the "idle test" is going to be enough of a "challenge" for the starting system to say, for sure, that the problem is permanently and completely solved. You might just have "raised the bar" a little. In other words, will the car re-start on a high ambient temperature day with the engine running at higher temperature?

    Also, I'm surprised that there's a problem with the restoration battery. These things are expensive and, generally, short lived, but they usually work well while they are working. Usually, they have a higher amp rating than the original batteries did. Nevertheless, I would never even attempt to use such a battery on a day-to-day basis. I just don't have that kind of confidence in them, even if it turns out that there is absolutely nothing wrong with this battery. I'd use a "Delco Professional" battery and feel like I was in good shape for 5 years, or so (even if it's a 7 year battery, I never count on a full 7 years). Keep the restoration battery on a Battery Minder and use it for show only. It's not that hard to change out the battery once-in-awhile.

    The answer to your last question is that from what you've already found, you can't. As far as I know, there is currently only one manufacturing source of these reproduction batteries. Likely, that's who made the one you have. If it proves unsatisfactory, there "ain't no other game in town". Of course, this could just be a bad one and, perhaps, another would work just fine. ASSUMING that there really IS something wrong with this one. We don't really know that.
    In Appreciation of John Hinckley

    Comment

    • Jack H.
      Extremely Frequent Poster
      • April 1, 1990
      • 9906

      #17
      You change more than one variable...

      By doing R&R on the starter and the battery, you also MOVED the connecting cables. It's possible to have a 'flakey' cable with an improperly crimped connector on the end. If so, just doing an R&R chore results in a Jeckyl/Hyde situation because the cable was 'moved' in the process...

      As to the battery, if you want to know if your problem lies with that specific restoration tar top, don't guess...apply science and measure! Any decent auto electric shop can quickly run a load test on your battery and quantify its health...

      If it's truly an exact replica of the factory original tar top, it should have sufficient cranking power IF it's in good health. Don't presume just because it's new and recently purchased that it can't be defective! I've had several that suffered internal construction problems and had to be replaced under warranty. One of them bit the dust trying to get the car off the trailer to the judging field at Bloomington!

      Fortunately, the manufacturer (Restoration Battery) was at the show and able to exchange the battery on the spot! BUT, despite pulling the battery and walking it over to their booth where they could confirm it was indeed, 'bad', I didn't get a 'free' exchange.... I had to pay for a replacement battery and wait 30-60 days for them to do an autopsy, confirm defective workmanship and issue a refund check.

      Comment

      • Kurt B.
        Very Frequent User
        • July 31, 1996
        • 971

        #18
        Re: You change more than one variable...

        Good advise as usual Jack.
        My battery was indeed from Restoration Battery and I have heard a few negative things about batteries from them since I have purchased mine. Had I known before, I would have looked elsewhere.
        Are there any other vendors who sell a correct restoration type battery like the one I need. I am not even going to go down the warranty road with Restoration Battery. Chalk it up to bad experience and not buy from them again. I even purchased their battery maintainer that they advertise to avoid sulfation and all that other mumbo jumbo stuff. In hindsight, I guess that was a waste.
        Whatever happened to paying your money and getting what you pay for. Guess I am showing my age.
        Kurt

        Comment

        • Kurt B.
          Very Frequent User
          • July 31, 1996
          • 971

          #19
          Joe: Battery part number?

          Joe,
          I changed one variable at a time rather than simultaneously. I swapped out the starter and still had the hot start problem, then swapped out the battery and problem went away. Where is the best place to get the Deloc battery you refer to and have you a part number. Mine needs to be 10" long by 6 1/2 wide.
          Thanks

          Comment

          • Joe L.
            Beyond Control Poster
            • February 1, 1988
            • 43193

            #20
            Re: Joe: Battery part number?

            Kurt-----

            For things like a battery, you always want to obtain them locally to avoid shipping costs. There must be some retailer in your area that carries Delco batteries; they are not as common as others but they are out there. You need a group 24 size or a group 78 DT.
            In Appreciation of John Hinckley

            Comment

            • Chas Henderson #28127

              #21
              Re: You change more than one variable...

              Kurt,
              Don't be too hasty. Have the battery checked out. If bad tell them. When I bought mine, I also bought a hydrometer(?) for testing it. I also followed the instructions as how to fill it and to check it. The battery was a four year warrenty and it worked great for 3.5 years. It showed a bad cell and I was not going to try for a 12.5% warrenty claim. I kept it in the car as my every day battery and I never had it on a charger after the first day. Worked great and my car is a 71, so maybe the resto battery was a better or newer style, or the fact that I drove my car 4000-5000 miles each year. I have thought about getting another one, but I have 3 TF's, and I think Im out of the judging game. It has a five year old delco from my 01 Olds Intreige in it now, and it works fine. Got it from the place in Cincinatti.

              Chasman

              Comment

              • John H.
                Beyond Control Poster
                • December 1, 1997
                • 16513

                #22
                Re: You change more than one variable...

                I take the points hit in judging for a new Delco replacement battery and move on - I want it to start every time, and have never had one last less than five years. I could buy four of them for the price of one restoration battery, which has a less-than-stellar record for reliability.

                Comment

                • Kurt B.
                  Very Frequent User
                  • July 31, 1996
                  • 971

                  #23
                  Re: You change more than one variable...

                  I checked the specific gravity with a quality hydrometer battery tester and each cell was the same, 1.250 and their (Restoration Battery) literature states it should be at least 1.265. Each of the cells showed in the white range meaning needs charge, right between Red (bad) and green (good). Guess I will try to find a Delco locally.
                  Kurt

                  Comment

                  • Patrick H.
                    Beyond Control Poster
                    • December 1, 1989
                    • 11608

                    #24
                    Re: You change more than one variable...

                    Kurt,

                    Based on my recent experience, I would suggest that Restoration Battery is just a marketing firm. Their batteries are made by Antique Auto Battery, and odds are that you will be referred to them (AAB) for warranty purposes.

                    AAB is (I believe) the only manufacturer of reproduction batteries for our cars in today's market. Many of their new batteries, including the one I recently received, are now gel mat batteries rather than lead acid. Better life, a LOT less weight, and NO acid to spill.

                    Patrick




                    Antique Auto Battery
                    Vice-Chairman (West), Michigan Chapter NCRS
                    71 "deer modified" coupe
                    72 5-Star Bowtie / Duntov coupe. https://www.flickr.com/photos/124695...57649252735124
                    2008 coupe
                    Available stickers: Engine suffix code, exhaust tips & mufflers, shocks, AIR diverter valve broadcast code.

                    Comment

                    • Chas Henderson #28127

                      #25
                      Re: Joe: Battery part number?

                      If you have your car judged with a new Delco battery, make sure you have the old caps with the hoses attached for maxium points.

                      Chasman

                      Comment

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