12VOLT ENGINE IN 1956 6 VOLT CAR

[Tom Fitzgerald]

mY ENGINE FROZE-REPLACED WITH A LATER 12 VOLT ENGINE
Need detailed help & advice in converting entire car to 12 volt
OR
converting engine to 6 volt
Would really appreciate ANY help or referral!!!!
Tom 609-602-1247 tomfit9@comcast.net

[David Jones]

Just take the 6 volt generator and ignition coil off the old engine and put it on the new one.

[David Lawrence]

Looks like David Jones was a few seconds ahead of me.
Leave the vehicle 6 volt and just replace the 12 volt coil with a 6 volt coil and the generator with a 6 volt generator.

[Dave Wildrick]

Just take the 6 volt generator and ignition coil off the old engine and put it on the new one.

That's right. The 6V voltage regulator on the car will limit the 12V output of the 12V generator to 6V.

On my 65C, I currently am running a 12V generator, with everything else 6 volts, with no issues.

Joe Leoni, the Registry's electrics guru said he had that setup on one of his cars for many years.

[Tom Fitzgerald]

Anything regarding the 6 volt starter? Aren't the flywheels tooth configeration different on the 12 volt flywheel vs the 6 volt
I read somewhere to change the starter solinoid
Thanks to all who responded
Tom

[Mike Wilson]

Don't forget the other electrical items: wiper motor, radio, light bulbs, etc., etc. I know some leave the 6V starter when converting to 12V. If going to 6V: generator, regulator, coil, condensor, starter, oil temp and pressure senders, etc., etc.

[Steve Hatfield]

A 12v generator will work perfectly fine in a 6v system but the 12v oil temp sender will need to be changed to a 6v.

Joe Leoni's article on car-wide 6 to 12 conversion is required reading. Condensers don't care.

[Mike Wilson]

Thanks for the clarification, Steve.

[Steve Hatfield]

Tom
If your 12v replacement engine came from a 912, you'll have to replace the flywheel as it won't fit in a 356 bell housing. I've been using a 6v starter in my 12v conversion for four years now without problems. In fact the 12v battery spins the engine with the 6v starter very effectively.

Also, 6v horns work fine on 12v as well. The windshield wipers will need attention; either by rewinding the motor (best but expensive) or installing a small step down transformer ( cheaper but not as reliable).

Lights will all require switching to 12v so now's a good time to go LED all the way including instrument lighting and a third brake light. Safety first!

[Jim Liberty]

You can also use a new high torque VW starter. They come with gears to match 356 fly wheel gear teeth. (You'll need to specify) I make this change on all 12V conversions.

.........................................................Jim.

[Steven Clarke]

Tom:
Personally I would keep the car 6 volt and convert the engine.

You didn't tell us what kind of 12 volt engine you have, but you are correct about the tooth configuration being different between the flywheels. A 912 flywheel will not fit in our 356 bell housings without modification. Install a 356 flywheel on your 12 volt engine along with a 6 volt coil.

Don't give up on the temp sender until you read the voltage stamped on one of the flats, but unless it shows a range down to 6 volts plan on swapping it with the one on the 6 volt engine. What are you doing about the tach drive?

Steve
'65 C coupe (currently running w/912 engine while birth engine takes a break)

[Steve Hatfield]

I read somewhere to change the starter solinoid
Tom

Tom,
Yes, change to a 12 v solinoid. I forgot to confirm that. It's very easy to do on the bench and cheap too.

[Dave Erickson]

912 12V generators come in two diameters, small and large. If your 912 engine has the large size, you will also have to swap the generator stand from the 356 engine to do the 6V conversion.

[Steve Hatfield]

To be clear, either diameter generator will fit a 356 engine. But the larger will necessitate the later 912 generator/oil filler can (with elongated oil filler tank flange) and will require the generator flange mount to the fan housing to be rotated 90 deg. CCW to allow the lead wires attachment. But early 912 engines ('65-'67) all had the smaller 356-size diameter generators which fit just right into 356 B and earlier oil filler/generator mounts with round oil filler flanges. Now there are several versions of the larger oil filler with various hose nipples depending on what level of EPA interdiction.

Also, be advised: unless the subject car is a coupe, the larger (taller) oil filler tank precludes necessary deck lid closure clearance. Now and then eBay will offer a home-modified (truncated) version to accommodate non-coupe applications.

[Martin Benade]

Two notes, my T6 cab has the tall 912 oil filler can and it fits with no problem. Also I have a high-torque starter from Stoddards and it sounds much different from the original. I am not sure if this is a typical reaction, but the sound does not please me- its just not right. I did use a 6v starter on 12v for a number of years, seemed perfectly fine. I replaced it due to a misdiagnosis.