i have a 53 f-100 with a 215 that i am converting to 12 volt. i have a haywire 7 circuit kit, and a late 70s GM column. i have some mechanical gauges i plan on using, and a 12 volt coil and bulbs. am i right in thinking i need to drop the voltage to the points? what to do about the starter?-- leave the case grounded to frame and hook the positive (from the solenoid) to the post? what am i missing? just tryin to get everything rounded up before i start.
I converted my 6 volt (+) ground Nash to 12v (-) a few years ago. I failed to drop the voltage to the points and blew the condenser immediately, so I would definitely put a ballast resistor in. The ignition parts on mine are all standard Delco stuff, I'm less sure about Ford. You shouldn't have to do anything to the starter. I didn't touch the wiring on mine and it's worked great for 3 years so far. To be absolutley sure the starter is spinning the correct way, just tap the ignition with the coil / plugs disconnected and watch the fan turn. If it turns the right way, you should be fine.
I converted my '50 to 12 volt negative ground when I got it. the basics, bulbs, coil, regulator, gennie, positive wire going to the starter solenoid and ground it with the pushbutton switch on the dash, wire the starter as you would normally for 12v negative ground (spins a little faster), and if you have flashers, or relays anywhere you should change those as well.
No change to the starter needed. It will spin faster, and start easier. Don't prolong cranking, but I've never had a problem with 6 volt starters in a 12 volt car. 12 volts to the coil and points is a bit much. Generally you want 12 volts when cranking, and then about 8 or 9 volts while running. The lower voltage will result in a less pitting of the points, and drop the kilo-volts out of the coil to what is good enough. High performance ignitions often use higher voltage coils though, so 12 volts to the coil isn't going to hurt anything, as the spark plugs are changed often enough not to matter. If Pertronix makes a kit for your distributor, you can run 12 volts to that, and combine that with their 40 kV coil, is the way I would go. Why put a ceramic "heater" on your firewall? Ballast resistors are basically just nichrome wire wrapped in ceramic to heat your dinner with. Do that at home... There's always something "traditional" about a high performance ignition system. "Points scores no points."
12 volts to the coil and points is a bit much. Generally you want 12 volts when cranking, and then about 8 or 9 volts while running. The lower voltage will result in a less pitting of the points, and drop the kilo-volts out of the coil to what is good enough. thanks guys for all the input! the starter had me concerned. will my 12volt coil be ok on the stock dizzy once i drop the voltage to the points?
The feed to the points goes through the coil. So if it's a 12V coil, you'll have 12V at the points. Most people either run a ballast resistor in the feed to a coil designed to be run with a ballast resistor, or a coil with a ballast built in. The increased voltage during cranking comes from a feed from the dtarter solenoid that bypasses an external ballast. During normal running this results in less voltage at the points. I make three items that may be suitable for your project: An electronic ignition module that reduces the load on the points leading to longer life and better running. (I'm thinking very relevant to you). 12V to 6V voltage reducer/regulators for electrical gauges (maybe relevant if you want to run the fuel gauge in particular) and relay boxes that combine your brake and turn signal lights at the rear. (maybe not so relevant). Shameless self promotion I know, but please browse my web site http://www.martsrods.com/sparks.htm and let me know if you can use anything. Hambers get a 10% cut on the listed prices. Postage from the UK is relatively cheap and fast because the items are small and light. Mart.
Good point, I should have mentioned that my stock 6-volt fuel gauge only travels from full to half. Found that out the hard way too.
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