Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts
 

I just bought a 1950 Ford 2 door Deluxe with a flathead V8. I even drove it into the garage after trailering it from Oklahoma to Kansas. It is very original other than a redone interior. It has a 6 volt system but the wires are in bad shape. Should I consider changing over to a 12 Volt system since I am going to replace several wires under the hood. Thank you

Re: Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts
 

Why? 6volt is fine. I would suggest an optima 6 volt battery. Will spin her over like 12volts.

Re: Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts
 

No, and why change only "several" wires under the hood? Consider replacing the whole shebang. Tyree Harris makes up original harnesses that pass muster.

Re: Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts
 

No, rewire the whole car and install a 6 volt optima battery and you’re good to go ! Some folks for some reason think that they must convert to 12 volts.

Re: Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts
 

Re: Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts
 

Our 52 is still 6 volt and very reliable. New wiring, all electrical components restored, and really good grounding. I honestly don’t think 12v would improve anything on our old truck.

JB

Re: Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts
 

My 54 Meteor is still 6 volts, works great and I really like it. Won't be bothering to switch over to 12 volts. All original.

I did put a 6 to 12 volt converter behind the glove box and put a phone charger/bluetooth FM transmitter in the ashtray. My original 6 volt radio has FM added to it, so I can listen to my own music from my phone to the FM on the radio. Works awesome. Can even take phone calls. You close the ashtray and it all looks factory.

This is the only electrical upgrade I recommend on a 6 volt car if you plan on driving it a lot.

Re: Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts
 

Shoebox Central has a concours correct main dash wiring harness for about $520. (If you’re patient, you may watch/find some for less listed on eBay). I agree with those suggesting a completely new harness.
By replacing only some wires, you’re patching into a 70+ year old system, unsure of wiring condition upstream…

Re: Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts
 

>>> Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts>>>

Yes.

Re: Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts
 

New wiring harness and good grounds, good to go. Think about it, these 6 volt systems started cars, pickups, and trucks in the same temps we have now.

Re: Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts
 

I have 6V, V8 cars and they start, run, drive reliably. I'm not afraid to go anywhere with them. I drive over 2,000 miles a year in a V8 on 6V.

Buy an authentic wiring harness from one of the vendors and rewire the car. Make sure you have a good ground and an optima battery and go put miles on it.

Re: Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts
 

6 volt cars are VERY reliable if properly sorted.
I have a number of them and have never had an issue.

Re: Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts
 

Well, If you like headaches yes go ahead and change it. If you like driving it ,put in a correct (not the generic p-- that they say all the street rodders are using) and enjoy your car . I've been driving the same three six volt cars for years and not one problem in the last seven. Now a good friend of mine converted his 49 GMC to 12 volts and has had it down to my shop to fix burnt up gauges when the resistor failed and two alternators plus his aftermarket electric wiper motor. He agreed with me that the one size fits all harness was a bad idea and the professional install is not what he was expecting. He says it is time to fix it right and is waiting on his new Rhode Island harness and 6 volt Optima battery.

Re: Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts
 

This is a question only you can answer. If you want the new fangled options, go ahead and change to 12 v. If your goal is to drive an old car, you can very well stay with 6v, and it will work just fine. I switched to 12v in my 35, and i am happy, works great.

Re: Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts
 

It is very easy to have both 6 and 12.
12volt batteries can be had with a center tap at 6 volts.
This way you have 12 volts available for late model stuff like
A/C, fancy stereos, high powered ignition etc etc.
The only conversion needed is the charging circuit.
This works good for a stock setup but if you have a lot of 6 volt accessories
you might consider a larger capacity 12 volt battery.

Re: Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts
 

Both my old '53 and my '40 got the 12V negative ground conversion. But I don't think I would do it again. For me the end result is just not worth the effort to do it on another car.

Re: Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts
 

It seems to me going to 12 volt is the first step on the dark side; go there if you like.

Re: Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts
 

My 40 is still 6v Positive Ground, no problems.

I have a 32 and a Model T that’s 12v, but I’m a mechanic maintain my own cars.

Re: Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts
 

only you can answer this its your choice these days . if the harness is toast its toast and no amount of patching will fix it [all you do is find the next problem] .With the amount of 6V leds that are of quality out there these days there is no real gain in lighting to be had YOUR CHOICE

Re: Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts
 

If you install a new 6V wiring harness now, you can easily change your car to 12V later on if you want to using the same harness. Keep in mind, once you start changing things, it snowballs as one change necessitates another.
If you think you will be adding accessories requiring 12V, think it through.

Re: Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts
 

In my opinion, the availability of the 800 CCA Optima battery makes staying with 6 volts a no-brainer. Sure, they are expensive, but every one I have had lasted 12+ years, so cost is really not much of a factor.

A roached wiring harness is a completely different animal.

Re: Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts
 

Greetings, I just installed an Optima Red Top 6v in my 52(avatar photo). I got a great deal at a local Advance Auto store..$145 + tax. Maybe the counter girl liked me( ha [email protected] yrs).
Anywho, what a difference starting after I installed it!! My wiring is also shot thru out the car. One of the previous owners rewired the ignition and lighting with his/her own harness.
Every ground is a blue wire. I had to get headlight harness' from C & G and figure out the hookup on the radiator brace.
Half the wire s under the dash don't work and have the original insulation falling off. Sometime in the future I will also get a wiring kit.
But...for now the engine runs smoothly, with it being a little rich(it has the wrong carb!!) and I drive it when I can.
Check all your grounds. That is the biggest electric problem on old cars like ours.
The harness in your possession will handle both voltages. It's the gauges, gen/ alt, and starter that need attention, also, check to see if you have an electric fuel pump. That is also 6v if it is installed.
If your Ford is running, and street safe, DRIVE IT😁😁 Have Fun. Take care of problems as they occur, don't create them. All the best. JPL

Re: Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts
 

We won WW2 driving on 6 volts !

Re: Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts
 

F A R, Ken!!

Re: Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts
 

Here is one thing to consider on the 6v to 12v question. I have a 36 pickup all stock. I called a local garage to see about getting the radiator flushed and took it in to be done. I showed the manager how to start it and went in and set down to wait on it, about 30 minutes later the mechanic came over and said he couldn't get it started and the battery was dead. I said ok put it on a charger and he said our chargers are all 12 volt we don't have a 6 volt anymore. I said get a helper and give me a push across the parking lot, they did I popped the clutch and went home. I do not intend to change to 12V but I wonder what would happen out on the highway if your battery died and AAA or whoever showed up with only 12v available. If you have jumper cables all the other vehicles will be 12 volt. Justa thought!

Re: Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts
 

jers36>>>I wonder what would happen out on the highway if your battery died and AAA or whoever showed up with only 12v available.>>>


Hmmm. I'm gonna guess a big spark might happen. Even bigger if neg ground was assumed. :eek:

Re: Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts
 

When mine died AAA used a jump box to start it. Hook it up correctly and remove it right away. Don’t let someone jump your vehicle without being there.

Re: Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts
 

Changed out my stock 49 woodie to 12v in 2006 and have had zero issues.

Get the 6v wiring harness and convert to 12 volts negative ground. An alternator that looks like a generator - Powermaster and EJ Whitney:
https://www.ejwhitneyco.com/automotive.html
12v to 6v solid state reducer - do not use resistors, wire this to 12v power and
the output to the 6V for your gauges:
https://www.ronfrancis.com/category/...rsion-products
Use a Bosch 12v blue coil for your ignition, it is internally regulated:
https://empius.com/products/empi-coi...illed-boxed-3/

I use a 12v AGM battery from NAPA.

Search this forum, there is a plethora of info on 12v conversions, about as popular
as what type of oil should I use.

Re: Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts
 

My 53' Mercury is still 6 volt pos ground and it has original 6 volt: power windows,
power top, radio with tubes and vibrator, 4 way power seats, fog lights, electric clock, starter, Electro-Vac, stock distributed and all 6 volt gauges and bulbs. No issues what so ever.

Re: Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts
 

I’ve changed my cars to 12 volts for a long time. If your 6 volt wiring is in good shape it’s a pretty simple process.

Re: Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts
 

BBB, as you can see, and WGA states, opinions about 12v conversions are all over the place on this forum. And opinions are like butts, everyone has one.
It boils down to what you can afford in money, time, expirience, and plans for your car. If you have a local V8 Ford Flathead Club join it, if you don't already belong. JPL

Re: Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts
 

Your right jplutz, there is a lot of opinions about a change over to 12 volts. I think I will stay with the 6 volt system as I am not sure I could change all the wiring myself. My first rewire of the car will be the front headlight crossover wires and new headliight bucket wires. After that I am not sure. It's cold in Kansas right now so I have plenty of time to play in the garage before spring. Thanks to everyone who replied to this post.

Re: Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts
 

In my opinion, a new wiring harness is one of the two best things you can do for your Early V-8. (A new radiator or replaced core being the other). Buy your wiring from one of the reputable dealers. Most will tag every wire showing where it goes. New wires and proper grounds will eliminate many reasons folks convert to 12 volts. I realize there are some who convert to add A/C or a 2000-Watt subwoofer.

More importantly, replacing old wires is the best thing you can do for safety. Brighter lights and more reliable cranking and ignition are a great side benefit.

Ken

Re: Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts
 

We used to jump start 6 volt cars with 12 volts all the time. Two things to get right. Make sure you understand the polarity issue and make sure ALL the lights and accessories are turned off. Never had a problem and the started a lot faster.:D

Re: Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts
 

I have a 40 Deluxe with Two Optima six volt batteries in parallel and an additional solenoid that starts on 12 volts and runs on six volts. I was stubborn and just had to have a six volt car. Looking back on 35 years of ownership, converting to 12 volts would have been ok .
But i did enjoy doing it my way.

It is your car Do What You Want.

Re: Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts
 

Here's an item that you'll find agreement on: Don't replace the original bulb sockets with repop sockets, as the new sockets are inferior. This goes for taillight as well as headlight sockets. Replace the wire, yes, the sockets no.

Re: Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts
 

Here's my up-vote for slowforty's reply. I'm the same; 6v and very stubborn about it, but it is your car and you get to decide what you're satisfied with.



There are good reasons and bad reasons to convert:


Bad Reason: car doesn't work right. If you just convert to 12v you may still have the same problem. I'm not aware of any problem the conversion fixes that couldn't be fixed by going to the root cause in a 6v system.



Good Reasons:
1. You want to use a 12v part or accessory that isn't available as a stock 6v part.
2. It's your car and you just want to do it.


Yes, 12v conversions can be done very successfully. I've done a lot of other modifications on other cars. There is a law of unintended consequences. Changing one thing can force you to change another thing which you weren't counting on which leads to another, etc. The further you get from stock, the more you're on your own. No one but you knows what you've done to the car and the less help there is for a car with one-off modifications.

Re: Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts
 

As someone that just picked up a restored '47 Sedan that is still 6-volt, my concern was the jump starting if away from home. What's the proper procedure with the positive ground 6-volt system if jumping with a 12-volt source?

Re: Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts
 

Post 34 by Tubman answered your question.

Re: Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts
 

Then I guess I'm not fully understanding the polarity issue which is why I asked the question. I understand the '47 is positive ground. If it's being jumped by another vehicle with a 12-volt negative ground, how are the cables attached. Is it positive to positive or swapped?