I have a 1963 nova, i changed the alternator and battery same day and then battery drains?
Both of the previous posters make good points. A poor quality connection, either on the ground side between the engine and the Negative battery post, or between the Alternator output terminal (the large red wire on the back) and the Positive battery post, can keep the alternator from doing it's job well. Of course, there are other things which can cause the Alternator not to work, like a bad Voltage Regulator (external on your car) not feeding the field circuit that controls it's output.
On modern cars, you pretty much need an Ammeter to check for a battery drain, but on your car, probably just the clock takes current while the car is off. So if you unplug that first, you shouldn't have anything else taking current that would light a test light. Here's an article on checking for drains. You can disregard the stuff about computers and such parts that stay on after the car is shut off.
http://www.aa1car.com/library/battery_ru…
Here's an article on charging system checks, in case there's no drain. Again, you can disregard the stuff about computers controlling the Alternator, like most are nowadays.
http://www.aa1car.com/library/charging_c…
And if you have access to a Voltmeter, here's an article about the best way to test the quality of your cable and wiring connections, without having to even take them apart.
http://www.aa1car.com/library/voltage_dr…
I have a 1963 nova, i changed the alternator and battery same day and then battery drains?
is there a light in the bootspace? sometimes the switch in the bootlid fails and the light stays on. the answer is to take the bulb out.
look at the battery lead which connects to the car body. what happens is that you get a poor connection then the alternator can not charge the battery properly. unbolt it, clean off the rust. you could fit a new earth wire if it looks poor.
Here's how you find out what's draining a battery. You have to use a 12 volt test light, but they are cheap.
Take the fuses out one at a time. Connect the test light across the connection of each fuse socket. When the test light lights up, bingo, that's the circuit that's causing the drain.
Then you have to do some more investigation on that circuit, but at least you know where to look.
1963 nova
http://rides.hotrod.com/ride/1003657/old…
http://superchevy.automotive.com/113339/…
wiring diagram Chevrolet Chev 63
http://www.tocmp.com/tOCMP/wiring/5765wi…
http://www.stevesnovasite.com/forums/sho…
~ the horn relay connects to Alternator Relay, check those connections,
~ the positive ? battery goes to solenoid, and smaller ? wire to horn relay connection, check that wire at both ends,
~ theres a violet wire from solenoid to ignition, with link to backup neutral switch, check tails lights and fuse,
~ and check ignition switch connection
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http://www.oldcarmanualproject.com/broch…
http://modernperformanceclassics.net/Sub…
http://www.1963sale.com/Chevrolet-parts/
http://www.nnnova.com/allprods.php
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