1957 F-100 with 302 5.0 Liter

[mike42]

Hey Guys....

I have a '57 F-100 that I put into storage last November and it started and ran just fine then. I take out the battery each year and store on a shelf with Battery Tender through the Winter. I installed the battery yesterday and all I get is a clicking sound at the solenoid and starter will not catch.

Battery prob....solenoid prob ?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thx....Mike

[big job]

First I would do is put a test light on the starter cable have someone turn the key to start, if light
doesn't light, its solenoid problem, if it lights > check starter by jumping starter with
booster cable directly to battery plus if still nothing then with test light connect to the
batt plus probe the starter to check for ground if it lights ground is good. Then on those
starters they have a second solenoid top of starter that operates the bendex as well as
power to the starter, maybe that needs cleaning.. I can't really tell from this far away.

[darrell]

put a load test on your battery to be sure

[mike42]

Thx much for the responses. I just happened to think the battery is 6 years old ! Could just be a bad one.

Mike

[big job]

That was on my mind; today's battery's right down to a common toaster are all cheap
high priced junk ! You did well for 6yrs the car in my avitar 6volt napa commercial-
one year junk but they gave me a new one. sam

[mike42]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I had a 6 volt DuraLast make it 6 years and last Fall I replaced it with a Red Top Optima which I understand are a good batteries.

We'll see !

Thx.... ~Mike

[dmsfrr]

Have you tried using jumper cables from the good battery in another vehicle?
It will probably start up just fine.
After 5yrs some batteries just don't work anymore.
Boom

[50fordcoupeman]

Originally Posted by dmsfrr

Have you tried using jumper cables from the good battery in another vehicle?
It will probably start up just fine.
After 5yrs some batteries just don't work anymore.
Boom

x two dmsfrr!! I was told by an AC Delco rep that most batteries are designed to last 3 yrs now and go bad without warning. I can attest to that!

[mike42]

Thx guys. In another damn snow and ice storm in Northern Michigan so it'll be a couple days before I get into the barn again.

Mike

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by 50fordcoupeman

x two dmsfrr!! I was told by an AC Delco rep that most batteries are designed to last 3 yrs now and go bad without warning. I can attest to that!

That battery came out of my 12v converted '55, wrong size for the battery tray. Had it in my mid-size truck for a few months until one morning I turned the key to start it and Boom, it split the whole case open. Luckily a garden hose was close by.

[50fordcoupeman]

Originally Posted by dmsfrr

That battery came out of my 12v converted '55, wrong size for the battery tray. Had it in my mid-size truck for a few months until one morning I turned the key to start it and Boom, it split the whole case open. Luckily a garden hose was close by.

Any idea what caused it to explode?

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by 50fordcoupeman

Any idea what caused it to explode?

My best guess is it had an intermittent/corroded internal connection (buss-bar?) between the cells and a spark inside set off the hydrogen. A couple times in the previous few weeks the truck would only click when turning the key then start just fine when I turned the key again. All the external connections were spotless & tight.

[50fordcoupeman]

Originally Posted by dmsfrr

My best guess is it had an intermittent/corroded internal connection (buss-bar?) between the cells and a spark inside set off the hydrogen. A couple times in the previous few weeks the truck would only click when turning the key then start just fine when I turned the key again. All the external connections were spotless & tight.

Because of all the battery troubles as witnessed on The Barn, I now carry an electronic jumper box. Last summer I used it twice on other folks cars. Old Henry Craig tuned me on to it!!

[mike42]

I was able to get to the barn yesterday night and I jumped the solenoid posts and nothing happened. Just sparks and that was it. Could be a bad solenoid possibly ?

Going to take the battery into NAPA shop this weekend and have it tested.

Thx....Mike

[mike42]

Well....that solves that puzzle. It was the battery and bought a new one and she fired right up !

Thx....Mike

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by mike42

Well....that solves that puzzle. It was the battery and bought a new one and she fired right up!
Thx....Mike

With the engine off put a (DC) voltmeter on the battery terminals, should be about 13 volts. With the engine running it will be closer to 14 volts, that tells you the charging system is working.
.

[mike42]

Okay I'll do that today. That other Battery was 7 years old and I didn't realize that until I saw a sticker on the back with 3-12 on it !!! New one from NAPA has 3-19 on it so it was just made I assume.

Thx....Mike

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by mike42

Okay I'll do that today. That other Battery was 7 years old and I didn't realize that until I saw a sticker on the back with 3-12 on it !!! ...
Thx....Mike

Oops, had to check the sticker on the one in the '55, Jan of '13. It sat on a shelf for 4 years while the car was apart, with a tender on it every other month. (when I remembered)
At the first sign of trouble it's outa there.
Thank you for reminding me.

[mike42]

DMSFRR.....just checked it out. 12.96 not running......15.02 when running.

Thx for the info !

Mike

[JimNNN]

It used to be I could only count on my 6 volt batteries lasting two years. Now they're lasting longer than that for some reason. I guess it was the brand but I don't know. I generally expect stuff made in the past to be better than stuff made today, but that's not always the case.