Electrical: Battery Install

[Ted Glowiak]

Does a 1951 Champion with in-line 6 have a positive oir negative ground?

Ted

[RadioRoy]

Positive ground.

Almost all 6 volt American cars with the exception of GM were positive ground.

[BobPalma]

...and what familiar American car of the 1950s was 12-volt, positive ground for one year only? BP

[studegary]

...and what familiar American car of the 1950s was 12-volt, positive ground for one year only? BP

WAG - Packard

[bezhawk]

Yup, 55 Packard, then in 56 they went to the familiar negative ground.

[Skip Lackie]

Positive ground.

Almost all 6 volt American cars with the exception of GM were positive ground.

Some pre-War GM cars (eg, Cadillac) were 6v positive ground.

[RadioRoy]

Some pre-War GM cars (eg, Cadillac) were 6v positive ground.

Right you are! My chart says that 32-42 Cadillacs are positive ground. Thanks for making me look it up. Good thing I said "almost."

[63 R2 Hawk]

Some related info, Dodge Brothers used 12 pos gnd systems up until they were bought out by Chrysler in 1926 or so. GM started using 12 volt systems in some bigger cars in 1953. Those same models also offered air coditioning, so the switch to 12 v might have been to accommodate the heavier loads needed for accessories. IIRC, some '40s Buicks and Caddies had 8 volt 4 cell batteries installed.

[BobPalma]

Yup, 55 Packard, then in 56 they went to the familiar negative ground.

Yeppers; Brad and Gary got it right:

1955 Packard: 12-volt, positive ground

1956 Packard: 12-volt, negative ground

'Never did figure out why they did that in '55. BP

[Skip Lackie]

Some related info, Dodge Brothers used 12 pos gnd systems up until they were bought out by Chrysler in 1926 or so. GM started using 12 volt systems in some bigger cars in 1953. Those same models also offered air coditioning, so the switch to 12 v might have been to accommodate the heavier loads needed for accessories. IIRC, some '40s Buicks and Caddies had 8 volt 4 cell batteries installed.

Just for the record, the GM cars that had 12 volt, negative ground systems in 1953 were the three low-production models that were the stars of the Motorama shows that year: Cadillac Eldorado, Buick Skylark, and Oldsmobile Fiesta. As noted, they all came with power steering and brakes, and many had air conditioning and a bunch of other whiz-bang optional equipment (as well as higher-compression V8s). A 6 volt battery and starter would have been challenged.

[BobPalma]

Just for the record, the GM cars that had 12 volt, negative ground systems in 1953 were the three low-production models that were the stars of the Motorama shows that year: Cadillac Eldorado, Buick Skylark, and Oldsmobile Fiesta. As noted, they all came with power steering and brakes, and many had air conditioning and a bunch of other whiz-bang optional equipment (as well as higher-compression V8s). A 6 volt battery and starter would have been challenged.

Skip, I believe all the 1953 Buick V8s (not the Special, which still had the in-line 8 in 1953), might have been 12-volt as well. 'Can't verify that right off, though. BP

[Dave Williams]

Would that mean the positive side went to the starter 1914 studebaker 4 cyl and the negative to the starter switch

[StudeRich]

Yes and NO!
I have No idea how a 1914 was wired, but Positive Ground is simply that and 40's-'50's Cars we are all familiar with, WITH Positive Ground would have the 6 Volt Negative (-) Battery Cable connected to a Solenoid or Starter Switch, and Then to the Starter.

Then the POSITIVE (+) cable would go to the Engine Block, Cyl. Head, Water Pump, or Even the Starter CASE, Not the "Terminal", ANY Good Ground is fine.

For the Lighting and Dash etc. to work, there should be a Braided, bare copper Ground Strap from the Engine to the frame which is connected to the Body.