Overhaulin'

6 volt to 12 volt classic car conversion?

I would like to convert 6 volt to 12 volt on my '53 Buick Special Straight 8. Is there a site were they have very detailed instructions, hopefully with pictures. Unless somebody, anybody can give me very good detailed instructions. I am pretty new to the classic car hobby especially dealing with electrics. Thanks in advance.

Public Comments

1. 12 V
2. All i can say is i did this to a 1940 pontiac straight six more than 23 years ago. i change the points, coil, battery then generator to 12 volt 140 amp alternator, and ALL the light bulbs, lighter if equipped to 12 volt. most of the wiring is already large enough to do the job from what i remember. you should consider an electric fan behind the raditor, and know that the gas today is not what it use to be so be carefull of over heating as the compression ratio is lower then to what is used today and this actually allows for a more efficient fuel burn combination. known as lean burn Note: you must listen for spark knock during acceleration and to relieve it use higher octane. If this occur-es consider raising the compression ratio. also make sure the exhaust is in tip top shape or you will loose vacuum causing to lean of a condition and breaking something. don't believe in most of the aftermarket parts out there. such as i had to find out for myself that both Holly and Carter Edlbrock carbs come pre-jetted new in the box for 6000 feet above sea level. so if you are driving at 700 foot above sea level one must drop at least 5 jet sizes to be with in 500 ft above and below. that's 1 thousands per jet size = 1000 foot. from that point your good for 500 above and below the resulting number. thus new carbs right out of the box just wash out the rings in around 50,000 miles. the spark plug should be as clean as a new plug or it is too rich. if you question advice from a fellow rodder make sure they have a vacuum gage in their tool box other wise move on with a grain of salt; and read a book i am putting a website and will answer questions like these from there. right now it is a work in progress just search buymimotorcycle.com in a few months. 03/04/09 P.s. I am the only one i know who has built a SBC engine to get 28.34 inches of vaccume at an idle @ 644 foot above sea-level out of a beat down 1974 4 bolt block. this equates to 28 mpg; miles per gallon.