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Sterling #130 (aka American V8 ~ Chapter 2)

nbb350

Active member
Thinking some more, I doubt it's the starter or "heat soak" of the battery or something. Why? Because when I got stuck in the car October 19th and had to Duke-Boys it out the window, the car fired right up after a jump start and it had only been sitting a few minutes - not enough time for stuff to cool off.
 

Brett Proctor

Well-known member
I may have missed it but I didn't see if you check the voltage after the no start.

I checked what the manufacturer recommends for a battery. The recommended battery has 750 CCA. reserve capacity is 140.

The battery you have is rated at 475 CCA with a reserve capacity of 23.

The odyssey battery is rated at 350 CCA with a reserve capacity of 53

My guess is the battery is to small for the application and if possible put a smaller pulley on the alternator so it spins faster.
 

nbb350

Active member
Recommended by what Manufacturer? The engine turns over fine and starts within seconds when the battery charge is fresh.
I wish I could find a Long and Wide but Short battery...they all get Taller as power increases. I gotta keep the height down...
Changing alternator speed isn't an option due to physical interferences of the jackshaft system.
 

nbb350

Active member
Looking online, it appears that Menards carries an AC Delco Group 40R battery with 610 CCA & 105 minute Reserve for only $114 on sale. 6.8" tall. I'll have to make a new hold-down bracket, but I'll have all winter to do so! (we got our first inch of snow today...sigh)
 

farfegnubbin

Site Owner
Staff member
Reading over all of this I think the battery is going to fix everything. And having a new alternator is a nice bonus even if it wasn’t the primary problem.
 

Brett Proctor

Well-known member
Recommended by what Manufacturer? The engine turns over fine and starts within seconds when the battery charge is fresh.
I wish I could find a Long and Wide but Short battery...they all get Taller as power increases. I gotta keep the height down...
I did a search for a battery for a 1963 Buick 215 engine and thats the results I got.
Group 24, 34 Battery with 700-750 CCA. RC 120-140.

I can see the engine starting with no issues with a fresh charge but the reserve capacity of the battery your using is very low and probably will take some time to fully charge.

Wiring 2 low profile batteries in parallel would increase the reserve capacity and keep the voltage the same if that would help.

Have you checked the voltage output of the alternator at idle?? with a load applied to the system??

I use to live in Wisconsin as a kid and always looked forward to the first snow of the season.
 

nbb350

Active member
The video from a few weeks ago when I stupidly shut off the Sterling away from home and it wouldn't restart. I knew I didn't have much battery left and my canopy is electric, so would I have enough power to Open the canopy, get out, then Close the canopy so I could then open the hood to access the battery? Or just crawl out and open the hood?

FYI, I'm 6'-3" / 195# (and now you know what I look like! :cool:)

 
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