Trouble Shooting a No Start

[FlagCraig]

1962 Polara. I replaced the battery about two months ago after it would not start. It was a four year old battery.
At the gas station two weeks ago I put in gas and then went to start and got a little bit of a slow grind when starting. Noticed it but didn't think anything of it.
Today it starts in morning with a bit of a slow grind again but cranked right up. Stayed at Saturday morning Cars and Coffee for about 2 hours and she was dead. Got a jump and brought her home.
Checked all wiring and nothing seemed loose. I have no idea how old alternator is. It says Duralast (Re-Built). My immediate thought is to replace alternator with a 75 amp new one.
Car does not have AC or radio.
Original Meter Gauge doesn't seem to move to far either way from the middle.
Should I replace Voltage Regulator while I'm at it?
Any other suggested trouble shooting I should do?

Thanks.

 

[threewood]

See if it is charging first. Ign off, battery should be around 12.5v. Car running, should be mid 13v, fast idle will bring it up around 14.5v. The faster you rev it should not make a difference. If the volts continue to climb the VR is trashed.

 

[Pops1967GTX]

Don't throw parts at it do a few test to see where you are....What kind of system are you running?
First make sure your Battery is fully charged & will hold the voltage...
Make sure all grounds are tight & clean...
So It does start with a jump?
slow grind? Could be timing....or heat soak starter or wires..
so Get out a test meter & do a few checks..

Battery while running should b 13.8 to 14.2 volts.... If less you have a charging problem.....or voltage drop problem....

 

[CudaChick1968]

Do you have a trunk light or glove box light staying on? It seems like a constant drain.
Did anything precede the dead battery a couple months ago? You might also check the posts on your ballast resistor.

 

[black64]

Sounds like there is resistance somewhere causing the initial slow crank. Usually dirty ground or cable connection at the battery. Corroded cables are hard to spot under the insulation. The resistance might be enough to not allow proper charging. If you need a jump to get started the amp meter should show high charging rate after it started. You could also check for ignition off draw with a test light by removing ground batt cable and putting the test light in line to the negative post it should not light up if all the loads are off unless there is something drawing current when it should not.