Increasing cranking power on the old flatheads

[Bill Bickle 15098]

I read an article on the use of hooking up 2 optima batteries (6 volt) to increase the cranking power and getting better starting performance yet maintaining the six volt system as is. Does anyone recall this article.  I can't remember whether it was in the Self-Starter or Hemmings. Can anyone help me in this matter?

[Don Boshara #594]

Bill,
I've got one 6v Optima in my '40 Cadillac and it cranks great hot or cold (or as cold as it gets in Florida). If you need two you've got other problems.

[Bill Ingler #7799]

Hi Bill: Here is the picture from the article by Fred Zwicker.  If you go to the top of this page click on search and then put in Fred Zwicker, you will get his fine article. I tried it and the article came up with no problem.  Bill

[Doug Houston]

Don Boshara said it pretty well. These starters crank the engine very well, if they're assembled with clean surfaces on all of their pieces.

Fred Zwicker is happy with his rig, though I had once discussed it with him. He's happy; his car starts well, and I can't argue with that. One Optima starts my engines beautifully.

Don't get the idea of "sending it out and having it rebuilt". I've seen some horrible results of sledge hammer rebuilders' work. Go at it methodically, and make sure that your  rebuilder is competent.

[Bill Bickle]

Thanks for your input guys.  I appreciate it.

[Fred Zwicker #23106]

Doug is absolutely right - one Optima should start any flathead engine easily if eveyrthng else is OK.  Unfortunately, everything is not always OK on a 60-year old car. If you are worried about originality, installing one or two Optimas is no longer original, but if you want the car to start quickly, both Doug and I recommend Optima batteries (he likes one - I like two, but admit that one is normally more than adequate). 

There is nothing more frustrating than showing someone a beautifully restored car on a nice summer day and have the car either not start, or barely start.  Most of us have been there at one time in our lives.  I drove my LaSalle to our paint supplier 3 years ago to have the paint color scanned (before my restoration) and the owner wanted to see my car and wanted to hear it run.  Even though it had a brand new 6-volt battery, it cranked very slowly and barely fired up.  That was it for me, so I went the Optima battery route and have never regretted my decision.

I installed two Optimas for the following reasons:

1) Two fit into the same space as the former (original) battery, so no rattles. (Since under the carpet, not exposed for judging).
2) I wanted to prove to myself and others that such a setup is possible and in some cases practical.
3) I like "overkill" and always found out that overkill is sometimes the safest bet.
4) I love to hear a fast turnover of any car when it is starting and my dual Optimas really do the job.



Fred
See my website and click down to "Technical Stuff" to see how I installed two Optima batteries in my 1939 LaSalle.
www.fzoldcars.com

[Jeff Maltby 4194]

Slick idea Fred. I paid $99 for my 6V Optima at an Interstate battery distributor in 2004. Last time I checked, they were $158.

[Bill Podany #19567]

I have personally experienced the performance and reliability of installing two six volt Optima Batteries in my 41 60 Special.  I followed Fred Zwicker's methodology.  Once my car had been judged and awarded first place from the CCCA and the CLC in their respective Premier and Senior Winner Divisions, I installed the dual battery set up.  In the hot and humid climate in the Southeast, hot starts were slow and lumbering, and sometimes uncomfortable.  And no longer do I have to deal with keeping the battery properly filled and charged.  This works for my situation, and many thanks to Fred Zwicker, as well.

Bill Podany
Knoxville, TN