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Classic/Antique Car Repair/1921 Studebaker battery

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Expert: - 3/2/2008


Question
I just bought a 1921 Studebaker Light Six Touring car. Does it have a positive or negative battery ground? Thanks for the info.

Answer
The neat thing about old cars is that as long as you do not try to start the car when installing a battery you won't hurt anything if you put it in backwards. Simply turn on the headlights. If the ammeter on the dash goes to the discharge/minus side the battery is in right. If the meter goes up or to the charge/+ side it is wrong. As long as there are no electronics on the car this system will work well.
Brad

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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