Ammeter/Voltmeter question

[Christopher Hoffman <imperial67@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Kenyon, 

Speaking from experience, I agree with Paul's comment on low-mileage cars.

I'd start by replacing the voltage regulator because it's an easy repair and
a likely culprit, although this is one of the few items I *have* replaced on
my 124,000-mile '67 and yet have not replaced on my 17,000-mile '78. (The
'67 has some original parts that have far outlived their counterparts on the
little-used '78!)

Chris is LA
67 Crown
78 NYB Salon

On 3/14/04 8:01 pm, RandalPark@xxxxxxx (RandalPark@xxxxxxx) wrote:

> Kenyon,
> 
> I have found that low miles cars that spent a lot of time sitting around need
> as much tinkering as high miles ones that were used a lot. Obviously, the
> difference is that the car that you are working on is a lot more rewarding
> than one with 400,000 miles on it that needs upholstery and paint.
> 
> A car is only a new car once. Even a mint condition low miles '64 Imperial
> Crown is past its useful life in the eyes of the state. Hang in there! You'll
> figure it out! It's gonna be fine!
> 
> Paul
> 
> In a message dated 3/14/2004 10:47:43 PM Eastern Standard Time,
> imperialist1960@xxxxxxxxx writes:
> 
>> I replaced the AC compressor in the 1964.  I painted it too well and when I
>> put the ground battery cable into it via the bolt that holds it on, the car
>> refused to charge, probably due to poor contact with the metal.  It
>> occasionally spiked up, but rarely.
>> I relocated the battery cable to be secured by the bolt that holds the coil
>> onto the intake manifold, and used a wire wheel on ALL surfaces involved and
>> am certain that I have a good metal-to-metal connection.
>> The alternator gauge immediately showed results, reaching for "C"harge and
>> away from "D"ishcharge immediately once I was off idle.  Woked great the day
>> that I drove the car after performing this correction.
>> I go to drive the car today and it is displaying identical symptoms as
>> before.  When the lights are on it is at the mark half way between the center
>> and "D", meaning that the battery is draining.  Driving the car at freeway
>> speed results in the needle creeping to the center but never over, and
>> varying depending on the electrical load and RPM put on it.  It moves up as
>> the engine spins faster, but again, never into the charge area.
>> I am beginning to suspect the voltage regulator and plan to do that next.
>> Any reason to do otherwise?  The car has 27,800 miles (!!!!)  and sat forever
>> but is very clean.
>>