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Classic/Antique Car Repair/1952 Chevy (5 window) Pick Up

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Expert: - 9/10/2010


Question
We are trying to get a '52 Chevy Truck back on the road, it has been restored once, (by the current owner, an 85 yr. old lady who's dream is to ride in it again). The problem is she doesn't remember if the battery is the old fashion type that hooks up opposite from todays vehicles.  Is there any way we can to tell?  Anything to look for that might give us a sign? The last thing we want to do is fry this beautiful truck that has been garaged since 1979.

Answer
This truck should use a 6 volt battery an it is  NEG ground system. On the 6 cylinder engines you can probably see the tag on the side of the generator. It will list the voltage and polarity on it if it is the original generator. The rebuild had a nasty habit of removing the tags when they rebuilt a unit.

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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