39 P-8

[38tech]

Dennis:
What's really nice about this club is that the members are willing to help other fellow members with a problem. Most likely, they either experienced the same problem themselves or they are just plain helpful.
I had a similar problem with overheating and checked everything from A to Z. Nothing seemed to work.
As I was installing a ceiling fan, I noticed the fan blade could send the air downward or upward. That's when I realized my fan blade was installed backwards.
It's worth checking.
John

[Jim Yergin]

If it is not charging and it is running hot you may want to check your fan belt since it drives both the generator and the waterpump.
Jim Yergin

[TodFitch]

If the amp guage is showing a negative when its running, you have the battery in backwards.? This car is a positive ground vehicle.? Running hot could indicate a plugged radiator, stuck thermostat or a plugged water jacket.

Add to the list for running hot: Clogged or rotted out water distribution tube, slipping water pump/fan belt, mixture too lean, spark to advanced, brakes dragging.

At least when I lived there in the 1960s, Tucson had a number of very good radiator shops. I would be surprised it Phoenix, or for that matter anywhere in southern or western Arizona, did not still have some good shops for that as the summer temperatures require the cooling system to be in top notch condition.

For the charging system:
1) The positive side of the battery should be grounded. The car will run either way but the spark will be weak and you may have other issue (fuel gauge, radio if equipped, etc.).
2) If the car has been run with the polarity reversed, you will like need to "flash" the generator. With the engine off, momentarily touch a wire from the hot side of the battery to the armature terminal on the generator. This is most easily done at the regulator as you have direct wires from the battery and armature on different posts on the regulator.
2) Momentarily ground the field terminal on the generator while the engine is running. The ammeter should to to full charge. If it shows no change you have generator problem. If it goes full negative, the wires on the back of the ammeter have been swapped. If it goes full charge, life is good.

[32cabrio]

Check the back of the Amp  Gauge. If it is a loop with the wire running through it, just reverse the direction of the wire. The amp gauge is directional.  If you had reversed the poles on the battery; giving it a negative ground, it will start and run but the spark will be weak. 

[DENNIS P NOLAN]

Jim..I put in a new battery....with the positive being the ground....would it of started with the battery in wrong???Thanks,Dennis

[Jim Benjaminson]

If the amp guage is showing a negative when its running, you have the battery in backwards.  This car is a positive ground vehicle.  Running hot could indicate a plugged radiator, stuck thermostat or a plugged water jacket.

[DENNIS P NOLAN]

I have a 39 P-8..I just noticed tht the gauge shows a negative...charge (or lack of)..is this most commonly a generator problem..or some regulator points sticking???or???also it is running very hot...stuck thermostat???...also needs king pins....I am looking for a shop in the phoenix,Az. area to do some work...any info appreciated..thanks,Dennis