Battery

[Bobm90]

I would like to know the cold cranking amps recommended for the 6 volt battery in a 1954 Kaiser Manhattan, I can't seem to find that info in the manuals and would like to replace my Battery with the correct one, thanks.

[joefrazer]

The standard 6V battery used was a 100 amp hour unit.

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

CCP (Cold Cranking Power) was never specified for a battery in K-F or Willys specifications, just case type (Type 1) and the normal range (100 ampre-hour).  Recommendation is the higher the better, remembering that 6 volt batteries will drain down faster than the 12 volt type do.

[Bobm90]

Thanks for the info Guys. The reason I asked this is because of the slow cranking speed when I first turn the key, weather conditions don't seem to matter, if I hold the key for awhile it will start to spin faster and the engine fires right up. I removed the starter (which was loose) and checked the brushes as well as I could without removing the armature and I removed the nose and cleaned up the Bendix and lightly lubed that. The gear comes out freely and all seems to spin easy no binding. I cleaned up all electrical contacts as well as possible, ground and hot wires as well. After the engine runs awhile, if I shut it down and go for a restart sometimes it spins freely, sometimes it "drags"  and if the key is held in the start position it cranks faster after awhile and starts. I changed the oil to 5W30 thinking the old oil might be a problem, added zinc and Lucus oil additive (used to coat internal parts and make things slicker) no difference, I want to drain this and add 30W as suggested by most people. The engine starts and runs OK if I get it cranking fast enough, is this a "Kaiser curse" or is there something I am missing? I think it comes down to engine being "tight" for some reason, intermittent loss of starter torque (which I never heard of) bad internal connection in the starter solenoid, not enough AMPs in the battery (the charge level is fine). With the price of parts I just didn't want to start changing things until I find the culprit and being a guy I don't want to resort to following step by step written directions in a shop manual, LOL. 

[Terry T]

Make that all the wires in the starting circuit are of proper gauge, including the battery cables.

[Gordie]

And also make sure that all of the connections are clean and tight.

[Fid]

Make sure that all the wires in the starting circuit are of proper gauge, including the battery cables.

This is spot on.  Many of these cars have had the battery cables changed due to age.  If the cables on the car were changed it is very possible that the person who changed them simply bought a set of modern cables for 12 volt cars. These cables are 2 gauge cables and for 6 volt they need to be 1 or 0 gauge.  You can get the larger cables at most tractor supply stores.

[boatingbill]

Fid is spot on. I too had the cables on my car changed before I bought it. Most people don't
know that the lower the voltage the more current there is and therefore a larger cable is needed.
It's confusing that the larger the gauge the smaller the cable.

[Bobm90]

Wow, you guys are really good, I will get new cables of larger gauge first, thanks for all of that detailed info, after 50+years of working on cars I don't think that would have dawned on me, it's true Kaiser owners rule, you're the best . When the weather breaks a little I will try NAPA or find a tractor store for 1 or 0 gauge wire.

[Terry T]

TSC (Tractor Supply Co.) is great for both the cables and 6 volt battery--best price around.  I have 3 of their batteries--in my HJ, Darrin and 1952 Ford tractor.

[MilesP]

Re cables I made  my own local welding supply store sells welding cable in various sizes by the foot Also had terminals made a good starter cable

[Dragon]

TSC have really raised the price on their batteries.  I went to Rural King and got a much better price.

[Corsairdeluxe]

Battery cables... Between rockauto and Tractor supply ,I have been able to find what I need. In a pinch, remember that boat dealers make on site whatever cable they need when outfitting a new boat. What I have not been able to find is a woven ground cable in 0 or 1 ga.

[alohagreen]

and WELL grounded ... 

[Bobm90]

I have seen woven ground cables on the NAPA site listed under truck cables, I don't know what gauge they are.