Re: IML: Battery for a '55

I have a 1955 Sedan that I have been using a 6-12 starting system in for several years. It spins fast and starts well. I just replaced the 6-12 battery with two 6 volt Optimas that really spin it. I have a 6 volt Optima in my 1952 Plymouth that works well for the 6 cylinder but one was too slow for the V-8 in the Imperial. John Lazenby says that a properly tuned 6 volt is Ok but I didn't find that so. Also, I had Bob's radio in Pismo Beach, CA. rebuild my 1955 radio and he said that if I had ever used an 8 volt battery the radio would be "toast".

Jan in Ojai, CA

1955 Imperial Custom Sedan

1952 Plymouth Suburban

----- Original Message -----

From: randalpark@xxxxxxx

To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sent: Friday, March 10, 2006 5:31 AM

Subject: Re: IML: Battery for a '55

'55 takes is a 6 volt, positive ground system. It isn't as easy to find a nice big battery for that car as it is for the 12 volt cars. It can be done, it just takes a little more looking around. Again, the largest most powerful is probably a great rule of thumb.

One of my non-Imperial's with a similar system takes an 8 volt marine dry cell very nicely. I needed it to give me a boost when cranking the extra four cylinders on that car's old L head motor, especially when cold. It gave everything a little more life, including the hydraulic windows, and has had no apparent ill effects. Everything works as it should including the charging system, which leads me to wonder if voltage regulator adjustments were made in the past to accomodate this for another owner. I am certain that others may have experienced shorter life on light bulbs and radio tubes with these batteries, but nothing like that has happened on this car. Again, it isn't an Imperial, and my '55 Imperial cranks and functions just great with a fresh, huge, 6 volt battery.

Paul W.

-----Original Message-----
From: wbinegar@xxxxxxx
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Fri, 10 Mar 2006 00:10:04 -0500
Subject: Re: IML: Battery for a '55

What kind of battery goes into a 1955 Imperial sedan? Where do you get the battery?

W Binegar

1955 Imperial Newport

1955 Imperial Sedan

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 268.2.1/278 - Release Date: 3/9/2006