Got a new center air vent that better fits the style of the original dash trim (left).

Used an air nibbler to cut the hole for the vent. Will build the mount for the vent around the hole.

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Before the dash could be re-installed, holes had to be cut for the AC vents. A 2 1/2" Blair "Holcutter" was used to cut holes in each side of the dash. A center vent will be added in the area of the heater/defrost knobs in the lower center of the dash.

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I'm using 2 standard red Optima 6 volt batteries with 800 CCA each. The 2 installed end to end are about the same size as the long 6 volt original batteries. One would fit in the Series 22/23 battery box and work fine.

The alternator I'm using is a 12 volt Delco CS 130. It's 100 amp and uses a 2-wire connection. Other GM-style alternators use 3 wires to "excite" the alternator at low speeds. The following link explains the wiring of the different types of GM alternators commonly used. There is a video down near the bottom.

Joe

https://www.vintageautogarage.com/Delco-CS130-Alternator-DA-plug-p/dsc130.htm

Got the 2 Optima 6 volt batteries installed and re-wired as 12 volts with negative ground. Changed the distributor to 12 volts by removing the Pertronix 6 volt electronic pickup and replacing it with the 12 volt unit. The coil was changed to a 12 volt Pertronix Flame Thrower. The positive terminal of the coil was connected to the alternator to provide energizing battery for low RPM charging. Working on re-wiring the dash for the AC, new gauges and switches.

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Looks like an OD relay to me.

Don,

If you price the options, the 12V solenoid and 12V relay cost $150 more than the relay/converter box. Plus, as I said, I have 2 spare 6V working solenoids.

Joe

Part of the 12 volt conversion process is getting the BW R11 overdrive operational. When the car was running on 6 volts, the original overdrive relay failed. Rather than replace it with an original-type reproduction with the glass tube fuse, a 6V overdrive relay from Vintage Auto Garage was used to replace it. It used a circuit breaker rather than a fuse and worked flawlessly with the R11 OD.
It has to be replaced for the 12 volt conversion so a replacement from VAG is also being used. It serves as the overdrive relay with a circuit breaker and also converts 12 volts to 6 volts so the original 6 volt OD solenoid can be used. 12 volt solenoids for R11 ODs are very expensive plus I have a couple of spare 6 volt units so this was the best solution. Here's a picture of the 6V and 12V relay units.

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The oil fill tube and breather were removed to make room to work on the compressor mount. They are going back on. The oil filter will be relocated or deleted.

Got all the AC mounting hardware painted and installed the compressor for the final time. Fan belt was installed and tensioned. Next will be the final installation of the electric fan and condenser assembly and adding the AC and heater hoses.

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