1950 Plymouth Special Deluxe

Hello all, I am in the process of purchasing a 1950 Plymouth Deluxe that is completely original with 61,000 miles. I was wanting the opinions of the awesome people here about if I should change it over to 12 volt or not. Any thought?

 

You like people to see your brake lights right?

BTW, 50 plymouth's ****!
(mine since '87)

 

Why change it?
Unless the electrical system is in bad shape, very possible after 58 years, why create alot of work for yourself. Drive it. Besides, 6 volt is cool.

 

I have a 50 dodge that is my daily driver. I still have 6 volt pos. grd. works fine but no radio, lights are not the brightest .I think when the generator or regulator gives up I will convert it.

 

I thought with a 6v if you go over 35 the headlights go behind you....lol.

I have converted my 37 to 12 for the increased lighting and the system wouldn't be prone to the 6v pains (poor connections, poor grounds=no power). Thats just me though.......

 

I drove a 49 Special Deluxe 2 door all through High School and college. It was 6-volt and my dad and I put a converter in so I could install a 8-track AM/FM. I didn't have any problems with the lights/brake lights - never go rear-ended. It was very dependable.

 

I have a 48 Plymouth and have driven it for over twenty years, both six volt and now twelve volt. I vote for twelve volt. It starts every time in just a few revolutions. With six it cranks so much slower. If you keep six volts go to a good auto electric shop and have them make you a set of 00 cables for both hot and ground. Make sure all connections are bright and clean. You will have to check all connections a couple of times a year to keep the car starting on the first try every time.

 

Drive the heck out of it first and after a while decide if you want to convert. Hail Plymouth!

 

I just had my genny rebuilt, and I don't see the need to convert. My ****'s just as bright as everyone else on the road...Except those ***holes who can't even aim their headlights! Can't ever decide if I should flash them or not(never know if it's brights or just misaligned)

 

I vote for 12 volt. Brighter- less h***le. Cool car.
Frank

 

If everything works fine leave it alone. I have a 53 Chevy and still run 6 volt. If it all works right there is no problem with it being to dim. My headlight's and tail/brake lights are plenty bright. No complaints here. Plus I think it is just cooler left alone.

 

Well, I'm of the opinion that being able to see in the dark, flipping on the heater when the headlight switch is on, honking the horn without getting shocked and having peace-of-mind on wet rainy days that nothing is going to water-short is far more imoportant than the "coolness" factor of an old, probably crusty at this point, 6v system. I vote 12v for 100 different reasons. That said, in all honesty, you're working with wiring that is nearly 60 years old and likely very brittle. Personally I'd either purchase a new repop 12v dash and engine harness (if they're available) or flip the cash on a Painless Wiring harness. I know it's NOT the cheapest solution, but in all honesty, after 20+ years of electrical gremlins in my '56 pickup I wish I had installed one 20 years sooner. (of course they weren't available back then, but you get my drift)

 

I redid my 50 Plymouth with an ez wire harness, 12 volt, and an alternator. Very happy with the results. The 50+ year old wires were unsafe in my car.

 

My brother re-wired his '48 Ply and wouldn't go back. In the conversion he wired his gas gauge backwards and now the more he drives, the fuller the tank gets. It's amazing.

 

I say leave it alone. There is really nothing to rewire

 

I say leave her alone. I have a 50 too and for the time being I'm going to just leave her alone electrically. .

John

 

Now im more confussed than before I asked. LOL. I am thinking about driving it this summer the way it is and when my 53 Dodge PU is done this fall (hopefully) then I might put it in the shop and change it over. I like the fact that it is completely original and I feel kinda bad changing it. On the other hand I like the 12 volt for convenience. I guess I am still torn. Thanks all, I appreciate the advice.

 

Skips***ch, nice ride! I like the old skool flames.

 

That's because there is two different discussions going on at once. Safety as related to the old wiring is one issue. I think you will get 100% agreement that if they wires look old and brittle then you should re-wire as necessary. I personally don't think there is a safety issue with regard to 6-volt light brightness.

The issue you asked about was 6 to 12 volt conversion. As best as I can tally, the guys that actually own 49/50 Plymouths are siding with leave it alone - or at least leave it alone until you drive it enough to decide you don't like it.

 

I,m leaving my '49 alone and replacing when needed, no problems being seen at all, yet anyway....

 

I rewired my Cranbrook from the firewall forward to replace bad wire, and I am happy 6v positive to ground. I have always heard that a properly maintained 6 volt system is fine, but most of the original 50+ year old 6 volt systems are less than perfect. The incredible gains everyone sees from 6v to 12v are more a function of good wire and good grounds versus just 6 volt to 12volt.
CHAZ

 

Hoof that makes sense. The better grounding in the system the better the system. Am I looking at this right? The first reason I even thought about changing over is because I have never had anything that is a 6volt and I do not know that much about the way they work.

 

I have a 50 plymouth that is in the process of being built, and i am changing it to 12v and alternator, but only because it had to replaced anyways, the wires were shot. i would say if it runs, drive it, if it needs to be replaced anyways, why not modernize? are you keeping the flathead?

 

Yeah I am going to keep it all original flathead, 3 speed. with only 61,000 miles on the car I think I will leave it original. Might put a mild drop in the suspension but thats about it.

 

cool, theres tons of stuff here on the hamb so im sure youll find everything you need

 

I am planning on driving it all summer and getting the truck done. I just bought it because the price was right and it is very complete so I do not have to work on it to be able to drive it. Also we have three kids and it is more of the family crusier ( hard to fit everyone in a truck).

 

Have a related question. The radio is the only thing in it that does not work do I have to get a radio set up for 6v if I leave it alone? I would asume so but unsure.

 

mate, your tlking about 50+ year old wiring. Unless it's been in a climate controlled museam since it rolled off the line, the wiring will be looking like a handful of old twigs. That, added to other comments on here about starting, heating, wipers etc etc, really should make it a no-brainer.
The EZ kits can be fitted in a weekend, and a set of voltage-droppers will let you keep your stock gauges (most likely fuel and voltage, if the car has them). and you will know that the cars gonna start and run everytime.
Plus, you get to fit a decent "hidden" mulit-changer somewhere as well.
I enjoyde the "coolness" of 6volt on my chevy for about a fortnight before I lost patience and started ripping out old wires by the handful

 

Harley, your radio should be 6v if it came in the car. The OZ4 & ******** are the most common problems ... if the wiring is still pliable without insulation problems, a GOOD 6v battery and a fresh gen/reg set at 7.8 volts will do the job forever. As covered in other posts, all grounds & connections must be maintained on a regular schedule.
And let's get that manifold split ... we can't be running around with 1 pipe.

 

Everything seems to be ok wiring wise. well as far as I can see. Starts and runs great with new set of points. If all else fail earplugs and MP3 player for tunes. Will most likely change over to 12 volt this winter when I put her away.
302 you are absolutly correct the single pipe is not cutting it. LOL