Battery failure?

[baws]

Did a 100 mile, each way trip over the weekend and the 6 ran flawlessly both ways.
However, the return trip, started in early morning fog and with the lights on the whole way she failed to start after sitting in the driveway for an hour or so?
Turned the key and got a "click" tried again and she finally started.
I noticed on the return, the voltmeter was on full charge, so the charging system is working properly.
Could the sudden activity after months of sitting have exhausted the 5+ year old wet acid type unit?
A voltmeter shows only about 4 volts with the engine not running.
Thoughts?

[poolboy]

Test it by slow charging for 24 hours then load testing it with one of these, Bruce...

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/super-start/battery-accessories/battery-accessories/battery-hydrometers---testers/5fd29f9698cd/super-start-battery-load-tester/ss02/44200

[baws]

Thanks Ken. I've got a CTEC battery charger/tester on it right now but I sure like the simpicity of the load tester you linked to!

[baws]

Was just over on the other TR site and the other Ken (Mr T) is having the same issue it seems.

[tr6harris]

Dirty battery terminals, I am willing to bet.

Pull and clean them even if they look clean.

My 74 is a bit more complicated with the starter relay in the circuit, but I'll start with cleaning the battery terminals first.

Baking soda and water, and and toothbrush, then the requisite battery terminal brush...

Seen that issue on other cars..

[baws]

Pretty sure I've found the issue.
The battery connection to the starter was loose
I have a "Hi-Torque" starter I got from BPNW and installed in 2015.
The connection from the battery is on the bottom of the starter and has always been a problem reaching it with the stock '73 and up Pos cable.
I lengthenened the cable a couple of years ago and in the process of doing that, the terminal connection on the starter became stripped or internally loose.
Looking at the Moss catalog, I see 3 different "modern" units listed for the TR6/250?

[tr6harris]

Well mine is the starter relay (again)

One of the first things I changed out on theis car when we first got it.

Jim Herter posted a cube version in the past. I may roll the dice on it.

The original can style is $65, the cubed style is $8.

Probably get both, just to have.

[baws]

Just ordered a new modern starter from Ted at TSI.
It will be a challenge to install it. When I put the current unit on, the engine was out of the car on a stand.
I probably will have to remove the tranny cover to get the job done this time.

[poolboy]

You could just make an access hole in the cover. I made one for the starter and one for the U-joint...It's just a matter of peeling back the carpet now.

[baws]

Ken, did you make that cutout while the cover was inplace?

[poolboy]

No it was on, Bruce...that one for the starter is made like a "flap" door...I only cut the 2 horizontal sides; the duct tape holds the door closed
The one in the rear was made with a hole saw and covered with duct tape until I need access.

[baws]

Think I'll try cutting "door" like you've done Ken with a Dremel disk and avoid taking the entire tranny cover out.

[RatRidgeRoadster]

I guess I was lucky when I had to pull my starter a few months ago. I managed to slip a boxed end wrench between the bulkhead panel and engine plate & tranny and position it over the nut. Because of the angle of the wrench and lack of clearance, it wouldn't slip over the nut completely, but as I loosened the bolt with a ratchet and the right combination of extensions, the boxed end caught hold of the nut in a cocked manner. When I withdrew the wrench, to my delight the nut remained captured in the wrench. I set that wrench and nut aside until the starter went back in at which time the bolt threaded into the nut without much fiddling.

A couple of variables and the phase of the moon might have played into my favor, that being how far back the engine and tranny are and the angle of the boxed end wrench. In my case, the engine is mounted as far back as I could position it (to help with fan belt replacement) and the wrench is an old Chraftman double-ended boxed end, 1/2 x 9/16 I think, or maybe it was 9/16 x 5/8. An engine farther forward than mine should make it even easier.

[baws]

Thanks Jim for those encouragong words. A local 6-Packer here in the Sacramento area has generously volunteered to come over and help, having recently installed the modern starter in his 6 withou removing the tunnel..
Will keep ya'll posted.

[baws]

Quick update: I decided to bite the bullet and go ahead and remove the tranny cover. I'm also going to replace the old cover (a one piece poly unit) with the newer two piece part(s).
Interestingly, Moss no longer lists the former part as available, only the multi piece cover. I know the new cover has been metioned on this forum before, has anyone installed it?