Battery dead in 1959

[Ethan M.]

Hello.

I have a 1959 Vette, 327 that has been running great all summer. (I usually drive it at least once a week). I went to start it yesterday am, and the battery was dead. Nothing, when I go to turn it over, nothing. I jumped it with another car and it started right up. Took it out for a 30min drive, then tried to restart, dead again. I replaced the battery this past Spring (so the battery shouldnt be the issue- I hope). Any suggestions on what maybe draining or drained the battery? Could it be a the generator is dead? Voltage regulator is dead? Where should I start?


Thank you in advance.

Ethan

[Domenic T.]

Re: Battery dead in 1959

Ethan,
Lots of places to start, but I would disconnect the batt, charge it and test it, good or bad? If good measure the draw when connecting it up. That sounds complicated but if you don't have a meter you will see a spark when connecting. If you measure that draw it can point you to the area. The voltage regulator on the generating systems would stick and the battery would drain back to the generator. If that were the case, taking the fan belt off would allow the generator to run like a electric motor. That's only one scenario. You will get some Expert advice from the members walking you thru the processes with meters, and or wire removal at the Gen or reg.

Dom

[John H.]

Re: Battery dead in 1959

Hello.

I have a 1959 Vette, 327 that has been running great all summer. (I usually drive it at least once a week). I went to start it yesterday am, and the battery was dead. Nothing, when I go to turn it over, nothing. I jumped it with another car and it started right up. Took it out for a 30min drive, then tried to restart, dead again. I replaced the battery this past Spring (so the battery shouldnt be the issue- I hope). Any suggestions on what maybe draining or drained the battery? Could it be a the generator is dead? Voltage regulator is dead? Where should I start?


Thank you in advance.

Ethan

Ethan -

I vote for a terminally-ill battery or a voltage regulator issue. Put a VOM (on "DC volts") across the battery terminals; with the key off, it should read about 12.6 volts if the battery is fully charged. With the engine running at 1500 rpm, it should read 13.8-14.6 volts - if it doesn't, the system isn't charging.