Re: 1941 Packard 110 - Rewiring and 12 Volt Conversion Questions

Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2014/4/24 7:55:54

Ragtime, the reason manufacturers switched to 12-volt in the 1950s was the load imposed by new electrical demands from air conditioning, power windows and seats, and the like. With just the items that were typically on a car in 1941, 12-volt is completely unneeded and offers no advantages. And you can still jump a 6-volt car from 12-volts - just make sure all the lights are off (or you'll burn out the bulbs) and keep the jumpers on for only as long as required and in no case longer than perhaps 20 seconds at a time.

If your car takes 5 minutes to get started, you've one or more other problems to address - it should start in a couple of turns, cold or hot. Make sure the cables are true 6-volt cables "0" gauge at the least. Connections bright and clean. Starter motor checked for bushings/bearings, brushes, commutator, etc. And of course fuel and ignition in good order.