[steve s]

The analogy between 6 volt cutout controlled generators and mechanical brakes is solid: If a hundred other niggly little things are all just perfect, both work just fine. The list of potential problem sources is much shorter with 12V alternator and hydraulics; there are good reasons why the whole world switched.

If you do go the alternator route, my advice would be to also go 12V-negative ground. The authenticity and appearance wars have been lost. Might as well get the advantages of easy availability of replacement lights, chargers, batteries, jumps, and accessories, and decreased concern about small voltage drops here and there. You might not think of yourself as someone who loads up his car with goodies, but it's really nice to have the options 12V neg. ground brings if just run a wire and mount an add-on cigarette type electrical plug-in adapter on your firewall or in a kick panel. For example, electric tire/air pump, GPS, hand held spotlight, cell phone charger. You can also get a dealie that plugs in and puts out enough 110 V AC to run a laptop computer or other stuff.

You'll need to get a 12V coil and all new bulbs. I had 12 volt field coils installed in my starter, but many folks insist that's not necessary--you will be amazed to have snappy rather than grunter starting. If you've got the common worn out 6V horn, it may work just fine on 12V; I put a load resistor in the line to mine and it works great.

Steve