Sorry to be a whiner...but I need to vent and suggestions. I bought my car March 2nd and have been trying to get on the road. It needed a few things: Front and rear gl*** installed (I Have it, just needed the rubber and someone to do it) Exhaust-nothing from manifold back Fuel Pump Taillights, bare wire in back thats all I had a ton of trouble trying to get anyone to do the gl*** work, and get the correct rubber. I got the rubber, and finally last week it went to a gl*** shop who is doing good job. They had to order a channel for the drivers window, which should be in anyday then it will be done. As soon as they call it is off to the exhaust shop which is a quick fix. Then I should be able to drive it, as soon as I fix the horribly leaky fuel pump. My goal is to get this car mechanically in top shape. I want to be able to drive it anywhere. I ordered an HEI Igntion from Langdons, and if I am doing that I have to do a 12v conversion which I wanted anyways. This is where it gets overwhelming. I am a***ulating theparts for the 12 v conversion, (bulbs, voltage reducers, etc), I also figured if I am doing all of that, I might as well re-wire with a new harness. So I ordered one from Rebel Wire. I really want to get on the road in the next few weeks, nd not sure if I am going to make it. I have never re-wired anything, and still not sure what to do about the taillights yet. I have the housings, but cant get the sockets so I have to modify the housings so new ones from Napa will fit....the list seems to be growing instead of getting shorter. I just want to get out and drive! Sorry for being so long winded, just not sure how to get it all done!
If the wiring was O.K. (and it may not be) I'd leave it 6 volt at least for now and get it on the road. Re-wire it this winter if you really have to have it 12 volts. I'm not sure why the adversion to 6 volt. I guess if you want a modern stereo in your ride I understand but other than that, 6 volt works just fine.
Ya, got my car and tore into it, too, in March . . . 1999! If you've got more work than you want, make a list of things that must be done to make the car driveable. Make those repairs and only those. Other things can be left for future projects. If you are not tyranically disciplined, these projects can creep out of control. Good luck!
ha, welcome to the wonderful world of cars my friend. I ran my 53 Dodge on 6 volt with points all last year and it did fine. But if your car is like any other 50 plus year old car the cloth wiring is shot and is a huge fire hazard. Here is what my project was last winter, yes the list just gets longer and longer. Once you get it on the road it is all worth it though! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=142342 Hope it helps with the motivation factor. BTW, nice car I almost bought a 50 Dodge wayfarer quite like that one, bought the 53 instead.
your so close man, just run with the 6 volt and enjoy your car for a while... fuel pump , gl*** and exhaust is simple...
why rip out the 6v harness? dont dwell on what might happen... just get the bare essentials ironed out and work on making it mechanically sound while having fun with it. the begining of car season is not a time to be tearing into things. additionally, what you are doing is exactly how people end up with non running projects sitting in their garage for years on end. stop upgrading stuff and deal with problems as they arrise..
wants and needs are two different things. fix what you "need" to drive around the block. than work up. a car that will start and move under its own power has a lot more going for it than a total blown apart project that wont run and may never.
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