Help - Generator 6 or 12 volts?

I bought a 1953 8BA flathead about a year ago and I am just now getting to it. My question is how can I tell if the generator is a 6 volt or 12 volt?
The engine has a newer distributer on it but can't tell if 6 or 12. Would the starter matter if it was 6 or 12?
It's not labeled but it is the big old style unit. Is there any way to spin the pulley and measure it? Any help with this would be great.
Thanks

 

Can't help your with Ford stuff but Mopar stuff had green tags for 6 v, and red tags for 12V. Did Ford do the same thing?? 6 V starters are more than robust enough to take 12 v, but the relay (solenoid) may suffer a bit with the increased speed of engagement. Take the gen to Advance or Auto zone and have it tested oun their machine. They can determine the eoutput.

 

It came from the factory with 6V. Check the headlight. The sealed beam should be marked 6V or 12V. If it's got 12V bulbs it's been converted. If it's still 6V (my guess) then get a shop manual for it. If it was converted to 12V the 6V starter motor will probably be just fine unless it was on it's last legs when you got it.

 

Any good flathead starter will be fine with 12 volts. You say the dizzy is a newer one, newer than 53 and its no longer a flathead. Do you mean its a fresh rebuilt? Change the coil. If you want to change the generator over to 12 volts, find one from a 56 or newer car or truck, and get the reulator that went with it. If the case is different, put the guts in the 53 case. Be sure to get instructions from the rebuilder on how to polarize the system before you fire it up.

 

I have 2 generators for fords around 55 and 56 I have one on 56 Tbird now and is a 12 volt. But has wrong pulley. I bought one on line to get correct pulley. Would like to install but do not know if is 12 volt. How can I tell. If I install a 6 volt on a 12 volt system will it do anything bad to system. Andy Tolland CT

 

Use Google or othe search engine for automotive electrical repair in you area, take it in and have them test it.

 

Stock flatheads were 6 volt positive ground the distributor won't care

 

Is there a way to tell a ford generator 6 volt from a 12 volt generator??/ Thanks Andy Netro Tolland CT