[Carbine kid]

Hello all,
This is my first thread on this great looking site so I'll try and keep it simple I've had my 1966 coupe for about 18 years now the car is mostly original it has been sitting asleep for the last 8 years of its life so I am starting to put some time into it I've done quite a bit of work to it this year got it running rebuilt the carb,tune up etc a couple of days ago I took the longest trip so far in it a 100 mile round trip and about half way through I started smelling sulfur smells stopped the car checked around couldn't find anything wrong keep driving home rechecked at home and found that the battery was very hot and venting here's my question does it sound like the voltage regulator? That is original to the car as is the alternator the the wiring seems ok the battery was replaced 6-7 months ago any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[6T6Coupe]

This exact thing happened to me about 2-3 weeks ago. Its the Voltage Regulator. I got a '66 and i had never messed with the VR. I bought a new battry...and it seemed ok, but my old battry was bulging on the side and also bubbling inside. so i decided to figure out what the problem was...

I bought the tester and the the sweet people here here taught me how to test the things. The battry (fully charged) in car (not running) should be at about 12.6 volts. Then start car - it should be in the 14.0 to 14.5 volts. (I was told 13.8 to 14.7 is OK) I first tested the original set up without new regulator and it was at 15.6 (way too hi) Digital Voltage Testers are cheap ($20.) and you test the volts at the battry posts.

You can get an original looking one or an Electronic one...the local Napa had one (Elect type) for $20. I bought it and put it in just so that it wouldn't toast my new battry. It took the volts down to 14.3 which is good. The new type VR is about 1/3 the size of orig one. It is ok but i ordered an original one - because the newer type are all silver & looks dumb. Too 2012ish for me.

Need to also make sure all the cables to & from the battry are clean. And all ground cables. But im betting that the VR is the problem. I do also have a fairly new Alternator too...last summer. Napa has them cheap...$50. They aren't exactly perfect - pulleys are black and should be gold anodized color. The fan has 16 blades but is supposed to have 13. (i think - I might be backwards) Pulleys and fan both supposed to be that gold anodized color. :yup:

This is a great site...everyone really helps you out when you need it. Thx for joining!

Good luck, Ken

 

[rex1965]

You need a voltmeter, most likely the regulator is overcharging the battery, but you need to check the voltage to be sure, if you don't have one (W-mart has a DVM for about $20), normal engine running voltage should be 13.6-14.6 temperature sensitive, warmer is near the lower voltage and colder is nearer the higher voltage, temperature extremes can push the voltage beyond this which is normal. Your battery could also have a shorted cell which will cause a overcharge type condition even with a good charging system, battery voltage without the engine running should be around 12 volts if it is around 10, then you have a shorted cell. Good Luck.

 

[sp66stang]

qhwn car is running need to see what the voltage is should be around 14.2 to 14.8 to be right anything more you need to check. you can take the alt. off and have it checked at local parts store. the reg. is a cheap fix if the alt checks out

 

[Smitten]

I also suspect your VR. An interesting side note. I have a voltmeter in the car and it was reading 17 volts (!). A VM check on the battery showed a perfect 14.7 volts. I changed the power feed to the gauge and now it also says 14.7 Never did find out why the original power tap drove the gauge so high.

 

[Ivy66GT]

Hello James. Welcome to AFM.

Yes, you need a voltmeter to know what's happening. For the last year+ Harbor Freight has been running 20% off ads in the newspaper every week with various freebies included with any purchase. Last week I bought a pack of single-edged razor blades for 80 cents and got a free voltmeter. The battery in it should be worth more than that. You should be able to afford one of those. Pick something cheap, anything, and get yourself a free meter. The meter actually works!! At least for the last week.

Oh, BTW, let me guess...your ammeter didn't show anything while all this was happening? Don't be concerned about that 'problem'; its normal since the '66 (and most other year) ammeters rarely work or do so poorly.

 

[Carbine kid]

Thanks all for the welcomes and the quick replies I have a voltmeter I'll get it out and check to see what's coming out of the VR when I get back this weekend I ordered a new VR earlier today from a supplier I know the system is simple my mind tells me that it must be the VR as its the contactor that opens as the voltage rises.
Thanks again,
James