Re: 6 Volt to 12 Volt Conversion for 1939 Super 8

Posted by Highlander160 On 2008/9/1 5:50:11

I too must vote "don't do it". Good grounds and basic care/maintenence go a long way toward better electrical systems. If you want it to turn over faster, 1st check the ground circuit to the starter. Check for electrolysis or rust between the block and starter. Yes big battery cables are a must. Poor grounding is the main reason for poor 6V systems. What did they do in 1939?

A high torque starter is easy to build. The field coils (the big magnets that screw to the case) need to be closer to the armature. This is done by shims between the case and coils. Old timers know this trick/improvement. I'm not aware of any down-side to doing this. Also, always be certain the voltage regulator is working correctly. You want the generator putting out near 8V, just like modern alternators put out 14V in 12V systems. There's more but this simple overview is a good start (no pun intended).