Technical 1954 Plymouth Belvedere

I just picked up a 1954 Plymouth Belvedere. The car starts,runs, and drives no problem. I am experiencing an electric issue. Headlights were blown when I purchased the car and I replaced them. I went to turn them on and they did turn on, but then shut off a couple seconds later. If I shut the car off, and restart, they will do the same thing. The wipers work for a few cycles and then stop, I turn the knob off and back on, same thing. I know the previous owner must have played around with the electrical. There is a 12v battery, original generator, and most of the wiring looks original. I do want to add that the brake lights do work, the dome lights work. Dash lights work, and heater etc. I’m looking for suggestions on where to begin.

 

That car was originally a 6 volt positive ground car. Is the generator still 6 volt or has it been changed to 12 volt? You need to do some investigating before you try driving the car, you may burn out all the accessories.

 

Definitely sounds like a 6V vs. 12V issue. Maybe the previous owner wasn't aware the car has a 6V system, as that would explain blowing the headlight filaments.

 

How do you know the battery is 12 volt?

 

it’s labeled a 12v battery.

 

Weird thing is the headlights don’t blow the filaments, they come on and then shut off a few seconds later. If I restart the car and turn them on again, they repeat the same thing

 

I believe it is the original 6v generator. There is a new style alternator in the trunk, but I can double check tomorrow

 

@Crazy Steve , any suggestions for this rodder? Where to start?
Headlight switch circuit breaker?
12 volt seal beam bulbs?

 

Should I try replacing the battery with a 6v and trying that?

 

The headlights might have a circuit breaker instead of a fuse. This is how 1950's GM cars were wired. On 55 - 57 Chevys the circuit breaker is part of the headlight switch.

When the breaker overheats, it cuts out, and shuts the headlights off. The breaker will cool off, reset and then the headlights are back on.

This is just a guess, but perhaps the 12 volt battery is overloading the circuit breaker??? That is, if it has a circuit breaker???

 

That’s a really good tip, and perhaps the 12v is doing the same thing to the wipers.

 

A bit of advice... Since you just bought the car, did it come with a "Factory" 1954 Plymouth shop manual? If not, get one. They are EXTREMELY helpful. Not sure if they are repro'd for 54 Plymouths, though.

Looks like they are. Found this one after a ten second search.

Plymouth Shop Manual 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 Repair Service | eBay

There are several listed... Some new... Some used... Some as an original book... Some on CD.

1954 Plymouth shop manual for sale | eBay

 

Yes, I have one on order already and will be here in the next few days

 

Have you ever wondered what a Belvedere is? belvedere is the term for a building (or part of a building) with a view. Theres a bit of culture for you hoodlums.

 

See what it is charging first. I can go with a 12v battery with everything else being 6v still. See what is maybe tagged on the VR and generator.

 

First remove the 12 volt battery, until you establish what generator and voltage regulator you have. There should be a plate on the generator which may have the voltage on it, or at least some stamped numbers. With the numbers the generator can be identified. That is your starting point. If the generator is 6 volt change out your 12 volt headlights back to 6 volt, and buy a 6 volt battery. Then try starting the car.

 

+1 to most likely being a 12v battery in a 6v car.
The factory manuals are very helpful. Glad you have one on the way.

Keep in mind that these are positive ground, so stock the + goes to the block/ground and the - goes to the starter solenoid.
There are a number of writeups on how to convert to 12v. If you have an appropriate alternator in the trunk, and a 12v battery, it may be more cost effective to just go that route.

I chose to keep my car 6v. If you want to do the same ( generators look way cooler than alternators) get familiar with the basics of how the 6v positive ground system works, it is a little odd at first.
Once you get it functioning, cleaning and adding grounds help with a lot of its down sides.

 

Update: after examining the components, the old owner had put in a 12v battery to a 6v regulator, and had a 12v coil. I replaced the battery with a 6v and coil. Wipers worked no problem, head lights still did not come on, however, I believe the bulbs are blown from the 12v. I removed the bulbs and tested the connectors and I’m getting 6v at the connectors. I hooked up wires to the battery and put it directly to the bulbs and nothing. So I’m guessing it’s just bulbs. Going to pick some up shortly and will update

 

Final update: Headlights working, replaced all bulbs to the car with the proper 6v bulbs, turn signals working properly now, the previous owner had a mix of 6v bulbs and 12 v 1157 bulbs. After replacing all bulbs with proper 6v bulbs, everything is now operational and working beautifully.

 

That car has a circuit breaker which will trip off and will come back on when cool. I think that was happening with the 12 v battery .

 

If it cranks over slow and starts hard with a 6-volt system, check the battery cables. A 6-volt system needs MUCH heavier battery cables than a 12-volt system.

 

Now that it's fixed, go through and clean every ground connection. It will make things work better.

 

isn't it specifically the 'porch in the roof' when in a building?