I can't turn over my Truck Help

[Ckoenig]

Hey i got a 53 chev and i am having a real problem turning it over. the grounds are fine but here is something i found my battery is smoking hot as well as the - and + lines i know it must be something simple if you could help that would be awesome.

Chris

oh its a 6 volt system

[chevy 37]

If you've got a 6 volt system and as Denny says if your starter is not working right, the 6v batteries can heat up pretty fast.

[squire]

Try putting your truck in 2nd gear and with the key "off", rock it back and forth again the compression of the engine. If the starter is stuck this should free it. You can often hear a click when the starter comes loose. Just keep rocking it by pushing on the bumper or hood.

[squire]

My memory is not what it used to be but could this truck be + ground and - hot.

[Henry Rifle]

Six volt Chevrolet trucks of that ere used a negative ground.

[R Pope]

I hope you don't get insulted by this, but did you ever have it running? Like, you aren't trying to start a seized engine, are you? If you know it runs, try the rocking in gear trick as explained by Squire. Also check that the starter isn't fried and shorted out.