i bought an ORIGINAL 1955 ford customline. I was told this is the first year that the 12 volt charging system was factory installed but it has a generator and a gen light on the dash. Any way i can positively id if its 12 or 6 volt charging system ?
How original is it? If nothing has changed, check the bulbs. Part numbers can tell you. Or check an owners manual for any numbers on body style,engine type, etc. Should be able to cross reference something. Don't know too much bout Fords but in my experience, so called "idiot lights" were 12v.
Is the battery 12 volt? - each cell is 2 volts = 6 cells. Label on the generator or voltage regulator? Do you have a volt meter? Larry
1955 Fords were 6 volt systems and were positive ground polarity. Ford switched to 12volt for 1956 models and negative ground polarity. If your car is a '55 and is 12 volt, it has been converted. Ray
runs perfect. it has 65,000 original miles on it . the owner p***ed away and the car was auctioned off . I bought it for $1300 and drove it home. it is COMPLETELY original . No owners manual with it . No battery in it when i got it . I have tried a 12 volt AND a 6 volt battery. the 6 volt turns it over slower and it takes longer to start.
If total original just look at the light bulbs as the other poster said. Are take the gen to the shop and have it checked out. Not good to run a 12 volt. While being charged by a 6 volt gen.
Yes, that would be likely, especially running a 6 volt starter on 12 volts. However, given the cars age, it could be worth your time to remove and clean all the battery cable connections, from battery to load and to ground. Do the same for all the underhood connections related to the starter, starter solenoid (small wires too). After 57 years some of those connections, hell, all of them, surely have some corrosion present. Voltage drop is the bogeyman of 6 volt systems. When all connections are clean and tight (wires must be good too), it should function well. Ray
It shouldn't be that hard to do, you'll have to change all the bulbs and put voltage reducers on the gauges. You can still run the six volt starter. Check out the 52-59 Ford group, they can answer any questions you have. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=332
I always look at the headlights. If it's still 6Vs the headlites will say so. One nice thing about 55-56 Fords the fan motor for the heater is on the inner fender. Very easy to upgrade to 12Vs without pulling the heater.
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