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Author
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Topic: 6 volt to 12 volt
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shoe
Gearhead Posts: 315
From: midwest
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 08-18-2006 11:57 AM
 
I have a 55 6 volt Positive ground T-bird that I want to convert over to 12 volt neg. ground. Any body have suggestions on books, info, advice on what all has to be changed. I know the obvious items to be switched but a complete list of what needs to be switched would be helpful. Anybody do one themselves that can share this info with me . Shoe
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JCQuinn@work
Gearhead Posts: 998
From: Lakewood, CO, USA
Registered: Jun 2001
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posted 08-18-2006 12:32 PM
I can't answer your question, I have only had one 6 volt car that I upgraded, a 54 Merc with a high compression 312. I put in an 8 volt battery. That was the only change required. All of the electrical system worked as it was except for recalibrating the voltage regulator. I ran the car that way for a long time with no electrical problems and it was my daily driver.John
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shoe
Gearhead Posts: 315
From: midwest
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 08-18-2006 05:15 PM
8 volt is not an option i want, I know I can do that, But I want to go to 12 volt system comnpletely. Shoe
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KULTULZ
Gearhead Posts: 959
From: Rockville, MD
Registered: Oct 2002
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posted 08-19-2006 03:12 AM
Shoe,I believe there is some type of convertor that allows you to upgarde the charging/starting/ignition system to 12V but the rest of the car remains 6V. I also believe I have read somewheres about a 12V BAT that appears as a 6V. Maybe this will jog someones' memeory. I too had a 55 BIRD years ago with a 6V system and it was a PITA. I decided at that point not to fool with anything prior to a '56...  The only way I know to do it OEM is to rewire it as a 56. ------------------
Am Looking For Factory/Aftermarket Speed Parts For The MEL (MERC-EDSEL-LINC-TBIRD) Engine Family (383-410-430-462) Produced From 1958 To 1968 Also Early FORD Special Service Tools -Mercury-Edsel-Lincoln- Forum-
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shoe
Gearhead Posts: 315
From: midwest
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 08-19-2006 12:56 PM
Many have told me that you don't actually have to remove & replace the actual wire itself. So I am after a list of just what has to be switched accessories & motors wise? Someone has had to of converted a 6 to 12 volt that can share some info. Shoe
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Whitson
Gearhead Posts: 290
From: Western Canada
Registered: Dec 2005
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posted 08-19-2006 08:42 PM
It was a while ago now, but I've seen a 12 volt battery made with 3 posts. The extra post in the middle gave 6V. The idea was to run the start & charge circuts as 12V and power the interior of the car/ignition with 6V. My Dad used to do the same thing by screwing a wire down through the case and hitting center connection inside the battery. Bit harder to do that with modern batteries.As for running all 12V.....the 6V starter survives fine, the radio fries quickly, the bulbs go pop within a week and need to be replaced with 12V ones. Wipers are vaccum anyway, right? Never dealt with power windows or a power convert top. Switches are fine, wiring is fine.
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shoe
Gearhead Posts: 315
From: midwest
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 08-19-2006 08:50 PM
How about the Generator? horns? ignition swaich? (I know I'll need a 12 volt voltage regulator),power seat motor?Blower fan? etc.Shoe
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Whitson
Gearhead Posts: 290
From: Western Canada
Registered: Dec 2005
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posted 08-19-2006 09:55 PM
Generator? If you must retain a generator, you can replace your 6V with a 12V generator or even have your generator rewound as a 12V at any good auto electric shop. Replace the blower motor if/when it quits working. All switches are OK. For the power seat motors, I'd be looking for 12V power seat motors similar in shape/size/application. (use 56 or 57 T-bird stuff?)
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KULTULZ
Gearhead Posts: 959
From: Rockville, MD
Registered: Oct 2002
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posted 08-20-2006 01:31 AM
-THE OFFICIAL 12V CONVERSION GUIDE-------------------
Am Looking For Factory/Aftermarket Speed Parts For The MEL (MERC-EDSEL-LINC-TBIRD) Engine Family (383-410-430-462) Produced From 1958 To 1968 Also Early FORD Special Service Tools -Mercury-Edsel-Lincoln- Forum-
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shoe
Gearhead Posts: 315
From: midwest
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 08-20-2006 06:09 PM
Thank-you for the info KULTULZ !That is what I am looking for. Shoe
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shoe
Gearhead Posts: 315
From: midwest
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 11-03-2006 08:21 AM
I did the conversion ,It worked GREAT.I did miss converting over a few dash bulbs from 6 to 12 volt but an hour or so into my first good drive with it I soon knew which ones I missed. They went dark. Only mistake was I used a voltage reducer on the gas guage at the dash & it (the gas guage now is stuck on full). I later learned that because the guage only takes about 1/2 amp that the reducer isn't calibrated that close for such a delicate guage. The reducers did work fine on the heater blower motor & the 6 volt elec. fuel pump that I just recently installed before the conversion.
I'd recommend this to anyone ,or I could do it for them .It turns over so fast now hot or cold that is scares you.Plus I have good chrisp taillights,turns,headlights,dash lights Plus a horn that will scare the cows (not that I own any). The instruction manual I heard about in a previous post here worked GREAT !THanks M&M for the space! Great folks here. Shoe
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