Just Bought A 63 with 914 Engine. Want to change from 6 volt

For those who couldn't care less how their 356 left the factory!
Post Reply
Message
Author
Conrad Carter
356 Fan
Posts: 436
Joined: Tue Aug 05, 2014 9:54 am
Tag: Let's be careful out there!
Location: Durham, NC

Just Bought A 63 with 914 Engine. Want to change from 6 volt

#1 Post by Conrad Carter »

I think I have the following straight:
1. Need to change all light bulbs to 12 volt,
2. need 12 volt generator, voltage regulator and battery,
3. Step-down transformer needed for wiper motor and radio,
4. Switches for Headlights, heater, wipers will work fine at 12 volts,
5. Have ordered Pertronix points eliminator and 12 coil for 914,
6. Will send 6 volt tach to Hollywood for conversion.

Will a 914 starter interface with everything?
Will electric gauges & senders need transformers, replacement or ?
How about turn signal flasher?

Conrad in North Carolina (28001).

User avatar
Mike Wilson
Classifieds Monitor
Posts: 11490
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:37 pm
Location: SW Los Angeles

Re: Just Bought A 63 with 914 Engine. Want to change from 6

#2 Post by Mike Wilson »

Off the top of my head and referrencing Harry Pellow's "The Maestro's Little Spec Book":
Fuel sender gauge
Clock unless it's already been converted to quartz
Radio: not if it's an original. There are tabs to change it from 6 to 12 volts
Electric tach: yes
Relays
Fuses
Horns: no but they will be LOUD!
Oil pressure sender: no
Oil temperature sender: yes

Hopefully others that have converted from 6 to 12 volts will weigh in.
Mike Wilson
Lomita, CA
'63 B coupe

User avatar
Jim Karaba
356 Fan
Posts: 1027
Joined: Sun Feb 22, 2009 12:34 am
Location: Lafayette, LA

Re: Just Bought A 63 with 914 Engine. Want to change from 6

#3 Post by Jim Karaba »

Starter from a 914 will not work, the starter much match the flywheel and ring gear and I would assume an adapter flywheel of some sort would have to be used. In that case most likely a 12 volt VW starter would be used. A high torque gear reduction starter might be a good choice.

User avatar
Wes Bender
356 Fan
Posts: 4860
Joined: Wed Aug 27, 2008 10:54 am
Location: Somewhere in the Gadsden Purchase, USA

Re: Just Bought A 63 with 914 Engine. Want to change from 6

#4 Post by Wes Bender »

Re. the horns. You can wire the two 6 volt horns in series and they'll be OK. (In a stock 6 volt car they are wired in parallel.)

Cheers,
Wes
Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.....

User avatar
Jim Karaba
356 Fan
Posts: 1027
Joined: Sun Feb 22, 2009 12:34 am
Location: Lafayette, LA

Re: Just Bought A 63 with 914 Engine. Want to change from 6

#5 Post by Jim Karaba »

What type of fan shrouding are you planning on running. That will determine what kind of generator/alternator you can run. I would send the multi gauge to North Hollywood along with the tach to have them convert to 12volts. They can send the proper oil temp sender to go in the taco plate in the sump too. If you have an original radio it may be able to run on either 6 or 12 volts by changing some switches or grounding bars in the back of the radio. A 12 volt flasher is definitely needed, but decide if you plan on using LED bulbs or not so you can get a proper flasher now instead of later.

Conrad Carter
356 Fan
Posts: 436
Joined: Tue Aug 05, 2014 9:54 am
Tag: Let's be careful out there!
Location: Durham, NC

Re: Just Bought A 63 w/914 Engine. Want to change from 6 v t

#6 Post by Conrad Carter »

1. Good point. Do plan to go to LED rear lights!
2. Anyone got PN for 12 volt Volkswagen starter?
3. I have the DTM (?)..plastic shroud that promotes more even air flow.
4. I would appreciate everyone's thoughts on alternator vs generator!
5. I looked at space for 12 volt Optima battery. There is lots of room there! Appears I don't have to restrict my choices to Porsche-specific batteries! What am I missing?
Conrad

Conrad Carter
356 Fan
Posts: 436
Joined: Tue Aug 05, 2014 9:54 am
Tag: Let's be careful out there!
Location: Durham, NC

Re: Just Bought A 63 with 914 Engine. Want to change from 6

#7 Post by Conrad Carter »

Anyone got part number for Bosch 12 volt alternator that will fit/work?
Conrad

User avatar
Craig Richter
356 Fan
Posts: 1305
Joined: Thu Dec 15, 2011 9:01 pm
Location: San Miguel de Allende/Traunkirchen

Re: Just Bought A 63 with 914 Engine. Want to change from 6

#8 Post by Craig Richter »

Hi Conrad,
Please, more info on "DTM (?)...plastic shroud".

Wes,
I've tried this "in series" change several times, and didn't notice any difference; but these days I like a loud horn!

I've seen alternator conversion kits that use the big VW alternator. Probably work great, but are ugly. Also saw (at last Phoenix swap, I think) a 912-sized generator/alternator kit, which looked better, but still not quite right. Anyone making a conversion to fit our smaller generator size?
 

Conrad Carter
356 Fan
Posts: 436
Joined: Tue Aug 05, 2014 9:54 am
Tag: Let's be careful out there!
Location: Durham, NC

Re: Just Bought A 63 with 914 Engine. Want to change from 6

#9 Post by Conrad Carter »

Shroud is a DTM unit!
Conrad

Conrad Carter
356 Fan
Posts: 436
Joined: Tue Aug 05, 2014 9:54 am
Tag: Let's be careful out there!
Location: Durham, NC

Re: Just Bought A 63 with 914 Engine. Want to change from 6

#10 Post by Conrad Carter »

Looks like my best bet is an alternator for Type 4 VW. Will I need matching alternator stand as well?
Conrad

Norm Miller
356 Fan
Posts: 2506
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2008 9:14 am
Tag: Official curmudgeon
Location: Ft Collins CO

Re: Just Bought A 63 with 914 Engine. Want to change from 6

#11 Post by Norm Miller »

Conrad,

If you convert the 914 engine to an upright fan housing you can use a VW alternator with a mount which includes the oil filler.
A pair of Weber's and it will look natural in your 63.
The flywheels are VW tooth spacing so best bet is a TYP lll automatic starter. You will need to find a 180/2oo mm flywheel from a 72 TYP lV stick shift (one year only).

Norm
 

Post Reply