Post to the EFV-8 Forum
Post Classified Ads
Shop the Online Store

User Login

Not Registered Yet? Click Here to Sign Up!

Early Ford V-8 Club Forum

FORUM RULES: Users agree to these Rules when using Forum.

The site administrator reserves the right to change the terms and conditions of the user agreement without prior notice to the user. It is the responsibility of the user to regularly review the terms of this agreement.

The user agrees to the following terms:

All information that you provide to us for your membership is correct.
You will not use your membership to spam, harrass, or exploit other members in any way.
Vulgar, Abusive, Racist and Sexist Language will not be tolerated.
Commercial-type sales postings will not be allowed.
No mass posting or flooding of the boards is allowed.
No Advertising of parts or cars; no Ebay or business/commercial ads (please use the "Classified" for ads Wanted or For Sale).
VIEWING MULTIPLE TOPICS ON SCREEN: You can choose to see more than 10 Topics at a time ... Log In and choose "Preferences" from the top bar on the Forum page. Scroll down and Change the "Default Topics Returned" parameter to 25 or 50, and save the changes. Since this setting is stored in your browser 'cookies' (if enabled), it seems to use that stored value even if you are not logged in. So, if you use a PC that you haven't logged into the forum from, the setting still seem to remain at the default.
EXTERNAL PHOTO LINKS ON FORUM: You can still use external photo links in your posts on the new forum. They follow the rules of any link in that they have to have the URL link qualified down to the full image file name (example: .jpg). The links will open in a new browser window, the same as an uploaded image attached to a post. Since an image attachment to any post does not display inline with the post, the results are the same. You can use multiple external links within a post. This link is from photos on a site from Don Clink's 'Deuce@75' albums:

http://donclink.com/deuce_75_1/images/dscn2950.jpg

Using links from photo sites such as Photobucket can help in "size" issue with uploaded attachment files. For best viewing in web browsers, photos should be around the 800x600 pixel range, and probably not more than 1024x768. Most cameras today store HUGE jpg image files, as the default settings are in the 7, 8, 10, and 12Mb image sizes. The image files that are then attached are very large, and the browser can't display the full image size without using the scroll bars. Use the re-sizing functions of your photo editing software to reduce the image to 800x600, which reduces the file sixe and the image load time in the browser. Don uses Google's free Picassa3 software, which is an excellent photo management product. All of the photo albums of the Deuce, Grand National, and Auburn that are links on the NORG site were built using Picassa's web creation functions. And it's free? (THANKS to Don Clink for the info!)
HOW DO I SHOW MY EMAIL ADDRESS ALONG WITH MY USERNAME? You can LogIn on the Forum, and select PREFERENCES. On this page Members can add optional information such as their City,State, Country; Occupation; Hobbies: list a Homepage; list AOL Instant Messanger Handle; Signature; "Make Email Address viewable to others;" and even change the number of Default Topics shown on a page. WHEN others click on your profile, they will see this information.

EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / 6V to 12V conversion

Reply to Discussion | New Discussion

<< previous || next >>

Posted By

Discussion Topic: 6V to 12V conversion -- page: 1 2 3 4

hotroddoc

11-08-2019 @ 12:08 PM

reply profile send p.m.

Member
Posts: 23
Joined: Mar 2019

I have a stock 36 5 window coupe with a 6 volt positive ground that I would like to convert to 12 volts. Among other things I am done with the low starter cranking speed.
What do I need to do other than replacing the generator and installing a voltage reducer for the gauges? Do I keep the positive ground or convert that to a negative ground?

Thanks,
Gary

11-08-2019 @ 2:37 PM

reply profile send p.m.

Senior
Posts: 1260
Joined: Nov 2009

Other than the "low starter cranking speed", what are the "other things" prompting you to convert to 12 volts?:...

CharlieStephens

11-08-2019 @ 3:15 PM

reply profile send p.m.

Senior
Posts: 893
Joined: Oct 2009

I assume your cables are sized for 6 volts (they are larger than the modern 12 volt cables you get at the local auto parts store)? I also assume all of your connections are clean, you have added an extra ground strap (or 2), and had your starter tested by a shop that knows what they are doing?

My suggestion would be to convert to negative ground if you insist on doing it. It will allow you to run modern electronics and avoid the problem of someone hooking a replacement battery backwards because they know all 12 volt cars are negative ground. I hope you convert your generator to 12 volts and don't get one of those ugly alternators. Also convert your starter.

As MG asked, what are the other things?

Charlie Stephens

This message was edited by CharlieStephens on 11-8-19 @ 3:17 PM

kubes40

11-08-2019 @ 3:25 PM

reply profile send p.m.

Senior
Posts: 3406
Joined: Oct 2009

I too am curious about the "other things".
Heck, these old flatheads don't need to turn over very rapidly to start IF everything is in order.

Mike "Kube" Kubarth

hotroddoc

11-09-2019 @ 6:17 AM

reply profile send p.m.

Member
Posts: 23
Joined: Mar 2019

I am aware of the battery cable. How do I know if the correct battery cable is installed?
A new Optima 6V battery has been installed.
I just thought that a 12 Volt system would be more reliable. Last week I was stuck at a gas station because it would not turn over very well. My son rescued me with a jump.
I will check the starter button contact.
Thanks

kubes40

11-09-2019 @ 6:24 AM

reply profile send p.m.

Senior
Posts: 3406
Joined: Oct 2009

I'm willing to bet the "fix" will easy and cheap. It may take a bit to diagnose but hey, that's part of the fun of old cars!
GOOD grounds are paramount with these Fords.
You may want to have your starter professionally rebuilt. Or, NAPA sells reconditioned starters (GOOD quality) for around $125.
If your fuel and electrical systems are operating well, the car should start hot or cold within a couple of revolutions of the engine.
There's many good (knowledgeable) folks here that I am certain are more than willing to help.
Together, we'll get ya there!

Mike "Kube" Kubarth

51woodie

11-09-2019 @ 7:27 AM

reply profile send p.m.

Senior
Posts: 516
Joined: Jan 2017

Hotrod. As Kubes said, these old engines start easily if all is in order. Good advice above on items to check/correct. My '46 Super Deluxe with 6V + ground, starts at a touch of the started button when warm, and turns over a few times when cold. I have a 6V lead acid battery from NAPA, but I have to admit that I did install a 6V + ground alternator by Powermaster, so charging is not an issue. It has always started in the three years that I have had the car.

kirkstad

11-09-2019 @ 8:10 AM

reply profile send p.m.

New Member
Posts: 192
Joined: Jul 2017

I have a 36 coupe also and have no problems with starting. If the car has been sitting a week or more, I'll turn the starter until I see oil pressure on my mechanical gauge then start.When the engine is warm it will start within one or two turns. Many years ago when I replaced all the original wiring I took the starter apart and cleaned allot of surface rust off the armature and field coils,you might try that.

hotroddoc

11-09-2019 @ 9:41 AM

reply profile send p.m.

Member
Posts: 23
Joined: Mar 2019

Thank you everyone for your input.
Where you suggest adding the additional grounding cables?

1934 Ford

11-09-2019 @ 10:24 AM

reply profile send p.m.

Senior
Posts: 573
Joined: Oct 2009

Replace both your battery cables with 0000 ones from a starter/generator shop with soldered & swedged on cable ends.
You'll think you have 12 Volts when the ground is good an the starter gets enough voltage.
The 6 volt cables are as big as your thumb, 12 volt cables are like a pencil in size. Then keep them clean.

1934 Ford's since 1972

<< previous || next >>

PAGE: 1 2 3 4

NOTE: YOU MUST BE A REGISTERED USER AND BE LOGGED IN TO POST (and reply to) messages in this forum. If you are a first time user, please click the CREATE A NEW ACCOUNT in the masthead above to register and Log In. After that, all you do is LOG IN to enjoy using this site.

DISCLAIMER: The V-8 Club does no independent testing of any of the opinions, thoughts or suggestions presented in the website on the Forum, in the Tech Tips section, or any section. A reader should consider the website to be a forum wherein differing solutions to a particular set of circumstances may be discussed. Ultimately, the selection of an item for an individual's vehicle must be based upon the independent study of the vehicle owner in consultation with people in the hobby and restoration experts.

Early Ford V-8 Club Forum

Merchandise Questions

Membership Questions