Carrier Battery

[Tom Millward]

Hello to all,

I have just picked up my new Mk1* Carrier after it's trip from New Zealand. I have a few things to tune up and would appreciate some advice from the collective experience of the group. The first thing though is that I need a new battery. I thought the old battery from my Wife's Discovery would do, but it could barely turn the engine!

What size battery do you guys use in your Carriers, in terms of Cold Cranking Amps. Unfortunately my local battery shop couldn't give any advice, as they don't get many requests Ford Flat head V8s

[ajmac]

Tom,
If everything is original it will be 6 volt, rather than 12 volt. Personally if you have a few pounds to spend I would fit a modern geared high torque starter and a 12v system which will mean tweaking the dynamo and ignition..talking of which, again I’d go modern and fit electronic ignition. It might sound like cheating, but if you want to enjoy the vehicle and not hate it it’s worth considering a few discrete upgrades. This of course is just my opinion.

[Tom Millward]

Hello Alastair,

Mine has already been converted to 12V, but the electronic ignition sounds like a good option. Do you know where to get an ignition unit and high torque starter?

Mine is misfiring when under load on the turns at the moment, so I am suspecting ignition, or fuel mixture, or just plain inexperienced driving!

[Richard Salter]

Hi Tom
Try O Niel's vintage ford they do every thing V8 Ford/Flathead they on the web

Thanks
Richard

[RichardT10829]

IMHO you don't need a high torque starter.....

if you want to go electronic ignition you need to consider what distributor you have fitted. My last engine I removed the divers helmet distributor and used a crab style one instead.

I then used the Pertronix kit which IMHO are the best on the market.

Contact Jim Turnbull at Royal Kustoms in Poole.... very very very clued up on these engines.


As for your battery, I converted my carrier from 6V + earth to 12V - earth. Some creative wiring was required to make my switch panel and gauges all work as they are 6v.

misfire could be any number of reasons, timing being just one of them.



Cheers

Richie

[Lynn Eades]

Hi Tom.
argree with Ajmac and Richard.
Pertronix. A 6 volt starter on 12 volt is fine, but I hear they can blow the drive to bits. I am running mine as standard, but there is a modern replacement available from Macs that is supposed to be reliable. Sorry I cant suggest a particular battery size.