Hey all, sweating away in the garage, getting ready to paint the engine and trans, I'm ready to start in on the 12 volt conversion of our '53 Crestline. I'm getting a grasp of it in my head of what needs to be done...I think. But when it comes to buying the parts now, I have a question. If a 12 volt version for the part I need isn't available for my year (52-54), do I just buy the 12 volt part that's listed for the 55-56??? ie: voltage regulator, starter relay, horn relay, blinker(flasher) relay, ...that sort of thing. ...and I know I'm forgetting something... Thanks.
It is not uncommon for our old Fords to need a complete rewire as the old cloth insulation rots over time,sometimes just touching the wires will cause it to flake off.Give it a close inspection and if that is the case contact glenn33 and get the Rebel wire kit 100% USA made and very good on price.Using a 1 wire alternator will save you a lot of wiring grief and do away with a lot of underhood clutter.You will need to change the starter solenoid to a 12 volt Autozone F490 is a H.D. unit and only $15,here is a good read to help you out: reviews.ebay.com/6-to-12-volt-Conversion-1955-Ford_W0QQuidZ10000000001571127 You will have to type this in to find it but it is very complete and should answer all your questions and has several good diagrams,save this in your favorites or print it and save it to refer to.
All you need for the gauges is a instrument voltage regulator from a 60s car or truck and I think they are about 15 dollars new,I used one from a truck I parted on my 55 after I shot 12 volts through the temp gauge which I have found a NOS temp gauge that is going in soon.
Thansk boys. The wiring is actually still in surprisingly great shape, the wires to the heater motor are showing through I noticed so I'll have to do something with those, but make sure to give the rest a all a good grab though and see if any cloth falls off. Thanks for the part number too. The 60's style instrument regulator is about $55 every where I check! Youch! But whatever I guess...gotta have one. I checked out that article on E-bay once before, but I'll look it up again... might just bite the bullet and buy that "6-12 volt conversion guide" anyway...better to part with $15 now, than $215 later after I fry something. oh wait...lol, I almost forgot my original question... Is it ok to put the 12 volt '55-'56 year parts in where there's no listing for a 12 volt '53 part? Thanks.
You could use a Runtz on your gauges http://www.speedwaymotors.com/12-Volt-to-6-Volt-Reducer,2374.html. I built a transistorized voltage regulator for the gauges on my '55 out of Radio Shack parts. I will see if I can find the schematic I used and post it if you would like to try building one. By the way, '55's were still six volt so you will need parts from a '56 up.
Sure Y-block! I love doing things myself rather than just buying them. Or at least trying it for a while first before I give up and go buy it.
53Crestline, Ok then now that I opened my mouth, I have to find it, haha. In the meantime here is a picture on the voltage regulator I made.
53Crestline, I found the schematic and scanned it below, but while looking at it it occurred to me that your car is still Positive Ground? When I rewired my '55 I went to negitve ground as that is what all cars ('56 up) are and most modern accessories. Are you going to switch over to negative ground? If not, this regulator will not work for you... Parts List; 1 ea. 7808 Solid State Voltage Regulator 2 ea. 1uF 35v tantalum capacitor 1 ea. Heat Sink 1 ea. 470 ohm 1/4 wa resistor 1 ea. 2N5881 transistor (note that the case is always hot so it must be insulated from ground) At the time I built mine I believe it cost less that $5.00 for parts from Radio Shack. Hope this helps you
Yes, I am "current"ly (get it? lol) in the process of switching it over. Just looking for the right 12 volt parts... need to know if the '55-'56 12 volts parts will work on our '53...voltage reg, horn relay, blinker relay, etc...
53, as I stated earlier, The '55 is six volt positive ground. In '56 Ford switched to 12 volt negative ground so the '56 parts will work in your conversion.
Y-block, my fault...got a new phone and was reading these from that...I missed that line where you said to use the '56 parts. Got it now though. Thanks.
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