What needs to be done for the ignition points and coil when converting to 12V from the original 6v on a 54 3100?
put-put,I'm pretty sure all you need to do is get a 12 volt coil,points and condensor. Late 55-56-57 or whatever.
That's it ! no need for a silly ballast resistor unless you have a key start setup . You want an ignition coil with 3 Ohms primary resistance more or less . if you buy a new one , ask if they have ' Epoxy Filled ' ones as they're better against vibration . Don't forget the voltage regulator for the fuel gauge ! Randy Rundle of 5th Avenue Auto Parts sells a nice converter thing a ma jig .
May be a pointless question, but is there really a difference between the 6 and 12 volt points? I only ask because it would seem the 6 volt version should be heavier duty, so why have both. The points don't care about the voltage. P.S. I use electronic ignition, and would recommend it to anyone................Mike
Paying Attention LOL ! that's right of course , the points & condensor care not a whit about voltage . glad someone was paying attention Pertronix " Ignitor " is my favorite electronic ignition . some others have such a hot spark they chew up caps , rotors and spark plugs rapidly ~ all you want or need is : decent blue/white sparks at the correct time .
An alternator is best ask for one from a 1989 Camaro with V-6 engine , it will be internally regulated . you'll need to either buy a fancy-schmancy alternator bracket ($$!) or reverse your old generator bracket 180° and drill one hole in it so it holds the alternator in correct alignment with the pulleys . you'll need some pipe or a stack of flat washers to shim it a little bit , I used one long bolt instead of two . but you can also use a 12 volt generator and regulator from a 1959 Chevy pickup . A 12 volt coil , ask for one for a 1972 VW Beetle . A voltage dropper for the fuel gauge . new headlight bulbs , # 6014 Taillight bulbs # 1157 Parkilight bulbs , P/N depends on how many contacts they have . Flasher for the turn signals , again , P/N depends on two or three wires ti it . Battery , a BCI group 26 size will fit under the floor in the original battery box . you DO NOT need to change the starter ! the original starter will work just fine on 12 volts . I hope this helps , I and other have written this up before so look in the archives for more detailed info . I hope this helps .
?? you have an operational original radio ? wow . use a transistorized voltage dropper else you'll smoke that radio . If it's dead now (most are) , have it rebuilt and tell the rebuilder you'd please like it 12 volts now , co$t$ no extra when they're in there doing repairs anyway .
Alternator Vs. Generator It depends on a few things but from a service point of view , the alternator wins hands down . If you're wanting to show your truck , then maybe a 12 generator is for you as you can simply replace the gennie , voltage regulator ('Control Box' for our Limey freinds) and battery then it'll look the same under the hood . In reality , generators have a rather low rate of charge and don't charge at all when the engine is idling whereas a properly fitted alternator does . If you're running a radio or improved lights etc. , you really need an alt. as you'll be running a 12 volt gennie flat out all the time trying to keep up so it'll likely fail the one time you decide on a 3 hour trip to a show.... You can always paint the Delcotron black , this helps to hide it from the casual viewer . I always leave the voltage regulator on the firewall and use the Batt. terminal as a bus bar for the hot wire to the alt. , you must not leave the field wires connected however , so if you like thier vista , cut them off 4" away and wrap to the harness so they look good but don't connect to anything . Delco regulators have nifty stamped covers that look really nice when re-painted glossy black . -Nate
just like my marshall my marshall JCM900 guitar amp takes a few minutes for the tubes to warm up. sounds sweet when they do!!! jon
I believe I'm going with the 12v alternator do to the fact that the lights will be better and safer, being able to get a jump start when needed, and being able to add some accessorys if I want. Thanks for your help. I'll keep you posted on my progress.
