51 kaiser

[ken taplin]

I  would like to put an 8 volt battery in this car as I have done with several 6 volt cars and adjust the regulator to 9.1 volts. Does anyone know if this voltage will damage the overdrive solenoid?

[Gordie]

I do not know about the overdrive solenoid but from my experience you will be busy replacing 6 volt bulbs.  Isn't there a 6-12 volt battery that just uses the 12 volt part for starting the engine?  Some people have had good luck using the Optima batteries with more power but it did not work on my Hudson six.

[Fid]

Does the car have the original battery cables? They often corroded away and were replaced with newer, 2 gauge cables which were made for 12 volt cars and will not carry the proper amount of current for a 6 volt starter.  I often hear owners complain about hard starting with their Kaisers. I've never had that problem but the key is, a good strong 6 volt battery and proper 1 gauge cables, which you usually cannot get at modern auto parts stores.  You can have them made to order at  http://www.antiqueautobattery.com/
 

[carsngolf]

I agree completely on the undersized battery cables causing problems.  Just to add my 2 cents, you can buy heavy cable cut to length at a welding supply store.  I'd give a heavy cable a try before going to extra battery power. 

Good luck,

Jerry