HELP: Starting Flathead on Stand

I want to start my 59 AB to make sure it is a runner. Right now it is sitting on a stand. It has a 36-41 distributor with original 6 volt coil but I don't have a 6 volt battery and want to start it with a 12 volt batt. I've searched around and other posts have said to use a 50 watt resistor before the coil. It's a complete engine with fuel pump, carb, starter, etc but no generator. It's ready to go just gotta wire it up. I don't know if it is positive ground or any of that. Basically if one of you flathead pros can tell me exactly how to wire it to run it on the stand for about 20 seconds or so I would be super happy. Thanks

 

bump

 

Rust, if you haven't already you might ask over on Fordbarn too. Wayno

 

If it has a separate coil, just use a 12V one temporarily for your test run. The starter won't mind.

If the coil is integral with the distributor, you could use an automotive ballast resistor in the supply to the coil, as their job is to drop the coil voltage, although maybe only to 8V (if unsure, you could try two ballast resistors in series, and hope there's still enough voltage to light the fire)?

 

You could get two 1.5 ohm plus .5 ohms resisters,and put in series with coil that maybe little low looking to get about 4 volts at coil.
Another way
Some 12 batterys have soft coveing and about middle with nail hit stip and try for 6 volts.
I did it years ago for 6 volt radio. Stay with pos grd.

 

For a quick run it won't care if pos or neg. Starter doesn't care 12v or 6v- pos or neg. Stick a 72 chrysler ballast resistor in line (I think someone suggested this) to the coil neg terminal, coil pos to points (dizzy), jumper cables to starter and block, again starter doesn't care. Future reference: if pos ground hook coil pos to points... if neg ground hook coil neg to points. Your points are the switch (ground) in the system to turn the coil field on and off generating the hi tension spark. It'll run.

 

If you're going to start that flattie on a 3-wheel engine stand like I did mine be sure and brace it up side to side with a couple of 2x4s or 4x4s at the front of the engine and stack a couple of sacks of cement on the left rear leg of the stand.
I ran mine for about 60 seconds several times like this and it sure sounded good and loud.

 

Thanks so much guys. Although, on this coil there is only one terminal (on top with factory resistor). Unless the condensor on the left is a terminal as well. If so which one is pos and neg.

 

Just to run it a few seconds, a 6 volt lantern battery and 2 wires might do the trick, or if you have a battery charger with a 6 volt output. Otherwise I would find a ballast resistor, what ever you do don't wire it direct to the coil and leave it set while you are doing other things, those old coils will heat up pretty quick, and they are pretty pricy if you blow one.