Here is the situation. I have a 1951 chevy with 216, 6 volt electric system, Engine still runs and I have plans for it going into a 1946 2 ton truck. I Have purchased a 1958 235 with 12 V alternator and Electrical set up, I will pick it up in a few weeks. Winter has taken its toll on my 6 year old 6 volt battery. It will not take or hold a charge. I am going to switch the truck to 12 volt. I am going to purchase a new "Interstate" 12 volt battery. Question: What is the minimum I MUST do to the 216 engine to start it and drive it to the engine swap location with a 12 v battery? Ballast resister. anything else? Does anyone have a list the of 12 volt equivalent of headlight, someone suggested Halogen, tail, stop interior,Signal, front marker,Dash, Hi Beam indicator, Turn signal Flasher unit, Coil, and QUANTITY of bulbs for change over? Did I miss any? What works for gas guage? Heater fan motor? I probably fried my points because I had a 6/12 volt battery charger on it saturday and switched to 12 volts while trying to crank it.. The condenser or coil should still be ok? Can 6 volt Coil be run on 12 V with ballast resister? I want to thank Nate and Fab51 for info recieved from them over weekend. I think for now I am going with a single Carter YF carb and plan to have an exhaust manifold split by Kansas Kustoms. I also want to find a new 53/54 Corvette or 261 cam. Any advice for finding one? Oh The Fun and Challenges. Thanks in advance for any and all info you can share. Jerry
Do Not "Re-invent the wheel", Get a Patrick's Antique auto and trucks catalog. He has a 2 page article for converting your 216/6 volt to 12 volts. Very inexpensive and easy. He has numerous other articles you will then want on tranny's, rear ends etc. As he says " a handful of light bulbs and some 12v-6 volt convertors and your done. Don't sweat horn and heater motor or starter. Read that and come back with a few questions you my have.
Jerry, the way I read your post, you want to drive your existing truck with existing 6 volt system to swap out to a newer engine with a 12 volt system. And if I'm reading it correctly, you want to do a 12 volt consersion to the existing setup so that you can drive it over there. You will need a 12 volt coil with a ballast resistor or a 12 volt coil with an internal resistor. You will also need a 12 volt voltage regulator. Lastly, you will need a 12 volt generator or 12 volt alternator. As Flashlight said, you can use your 6 volt starter.
Once Again....... I'm too late because I was in the junkyard most of to - day . Replace the coil with a 3 OHM +/- one , the points & condensor won't care . I don't like ballast resistors , they're one more thing to fail . DO NOT run the gas gauge nor heater fan on 12 volts ! you need a voltage regulator , not a resistor else they'll fry . Twin filament taillight bulbs , # 1157 or 1034 . Without seeing your rig , no way to know how many bulbs of what # you need . Have fun , take it slow .
The horn and starter definitely don't care. I used a large ceramic resistor, sold by our forum sponsor, for the heater. Its been fine for almost 20 years. I also used the gas gauge voltage reducer sold by our sponsor. Again, it has worked fine for a long time. Patricks has their 6-12 volt article available here.
Your first question is for the minimum required for a short trip. A jumper wire and an internal resistor 12v coil--that's it. Take our vehicles to the car wash with this set up (and a 1g gas can) all the time. A hot 12v battery will run the ignition for at least two hours and lights and gauges aren't necessary. Disconnect main feed wire from battery post on starter so 12v can't get into the 6v system, screw the nut back on and hook one end of the jumper to the cable post on the starter and the other to the + side of the coil. Step on starter and go. If an old fart like me is behind you you can hold your arm out the window and up for a right turn, straight out for a left, and out and down for stop. Makes lights unnessary.
Coilover, Where do I send your cigar, Your advice was deadon. 216 runs on 12V . I wont worry about turn signals and lights for a 20 mile trip, the people driving the 30 and 40 000 vehicles dont use theirs! I will sort out the lightbulb and heater and acessory situation as time permits. Thanks to ALL of you for your help. I sure am looking forward to this engine swap and the new challenges it will present. Jerry
