Tryin to get everything in order and I am checkin to see if I am missing anything. odviously a 12 volt charging system, ( ie alternator, 12 volt generator whatever ) change all light bulbs, resistor for power to stock guages, 12 volt solenoid to starter.... anything I am missing? As i understand all other things work off of 12 the same as 6 right? The wipers are vac*** so that eliminates that. Can anyone think of anything else? Would the 6 volt voltage regulator need changed to a 12?
I just did this on my 51 Ford first off I just s****ped ALL of the old wiring it was in bad shape, next the engine bay I used an internaly regulated alternator, bought a new coil and matching ballast resistor for the ignition,12 volt Ford type solinoid( I think I told them 66 Mustang). For the dash I changed out all bulbs to 12V, made my own runtz type regulators (as per the tech on here all parts from Radio Shack)for the stock guages.Then 12V headlamps and tail lamps and thats about it. Maybe some one else will chime in if I forgot something but it wasnt a big deal.(Note I didnt use my original ampmeter or temp guage)
I would absolutely start out by reading the book "how to convert to 12 volt" by Randy Rundle. It will make the job super easy! Check out his website at http://www.fifthaveinternetgarage.com/ He has the book on there with many 12 volt conversion parts (with detailed directions on how to install). You can also call him. He is very helpful. Patricks Antique Auto has a ton of 12 volt conversion.....mostly for flatheads and stovebolts I think. His prices are good and he is helpful. All parts have Rundle's installation instructions. I think all the vital parts were covered above. I would consider getting a 12 volt wiper motor. They are a bit pricey but worth it. Patrick's has them also. The good Newport Engineering Ones. What kind of car are you converting? Does it have overdrive? The solenoid will have to be converted. I just finished converting my '51 Mercury with the help of Randy's book and some guys on here....especially Overspray for my overdrive. If you have any more questions pm me if you want. You can search here for tons of good info. You can also get most of the parts at local auto parts stores for a little less money. Good luck!
MJ40...HAHHAHA goood one..... For my ole 69 international scout...i replaced the old vacuum wipers with 12v marine grade wiper motors....60 bucks a piece. IF ya want the website, i may be able to scrounge it up. I just did this on my 50 dodge. I got the 1 wire GM altenator and used my 6v starter...everything else i used was new 12v stuff. You may or maynot need new Headlight connections. I picked up the ez wire kit and had everything. I also pulled all my light sockets (parking/rear brakes) and re-wired them with new wiring so i knew i wasnt going to have issues.
I think you about have it, you may need a reducer for your heater motor, the conversion is a breeze, on second thought you might need a relay or a two pole starter switch to make the starter circuit work if your starter circuit works by the starter switch going to ground.
Do not bother to use a reducer on the heater motor, go to a junk yard and hunt for a 12v motor from a 12v car that is similar to the 6v one, I did this on my 51 ,, you would be surprised to find that they didn't change the size of the motors just the voltage.
Horns, Horn relay, cigarette light element, radio. Any other relays/motors for windows locks, etc. Yes the regulator will need to be changed, even if you use a 12V generator.
If you have an amp gauge I would not use it. If you go with an alt. you'll be pushing quite abit of amps. I unhooked mine and put in an aftermarket volt meter.
I didn't change anything for the power windows, power seat or horns, (the horns are LOUD and sound *****in!) been over a year, about 6 mos or so as a daily driver, and all of this stuff is cool so far, I never put the heater motor back on, the cig lighter never has worked, and yep a 12 v reg is needed.
I bought (2) 7 dollar reducers from Napa (round ceramic with two pole connection) for the heater motor and windshield wiper motor...for seven bucks a piece ya dont need to go digging and wasting time at a junkyard.
thanks guys. Some of that I have put thought into. As for the horn, I have heard one on a 6-12 volt swap and they work, just loud as hell! I have a part # for a reducer for the heater. But most likely will find a replacement.
If youre using the original radio you'll need to change out the ********, tubes and bulbs for 12v items. And of course change out all those damn paper capacitors (Bad paper caps are why most old radios don;t work)
I found this info on another hamb thread. Read though it, and it should help you catch everything that will need to be converted. http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/miscellaneous/5412volt.htm
If you use a one wire alternator, you don't need your external voltage regulator. http://www.cl***ictruckshop.com/one_wire.php
For the heater, I grabbed a blower motor resistor out of a s****ped Jeep. Just wire it in the 1/2 speed setting and forget about it.
I found a cool piece on e bay for gauges. Will do up to 9 gauges in one unit. Look at the oscilliscope readings. Makes sence. Adjustable voltage as well. Velco's to the back of the dash, and you can get whatever connector you need already installed on the circuit board.
i got the gauges working on my 49 ford by soldering a 6.2 volt 10 watt diode in the hot line. it'll generate some heat so I set it away from the dash by mounting it in a small piece of thick gasket material.
Somehow, using gasket material as a heat sink doesn't seem like a good idea. Won't it "contain" the heat?
why do you need a instrument voltage regulator, when you already have one! IIRC Fords had a IVR to control the voltage at the gauges. I know my 53 Merc has one and it is a 6V car. Since these regulate the voltage via a bi-metal strip, it will simply oscillate at twice the rate to average the voltage at 5V. Try it, should work.
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