12 to 6 volt conversion 1951 Kaiser

[Kenneth Dickson]

I'm up grading . Any tips out there? I have bought 2 Ru100 reducers from speedway. I was going to use one for the gauges and one for the wiper and heater motors. I'm not sure for the clock. All bulbs are changed. I don't want to burn anything up.
Your thoughts would be welcome.
Thanks, Ken

[Terry T]

do you mean 6 to 12 volt conversion?

[joefrazer]

Don't worry about the starter...it'll handle 12V but will spin alot faster. Just don't crank it too long.

I'm guessing you're switching to an alternator. Use a GM one-wire and you can eliminate the fender mounted voltage regulator.

Disconnect the clock or it will burn up very quickly.

Are you changing the coil to 12V as well?

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

The coil should be switched to 12V and you may want to talk to someone who's already done the conversion to see if you need to change any of the distributor parts; you will double the voltage running through them. 

[JoeKeys2010]

I've thought of changing mine mainly due to the starter. The battery will hold for a while but I tend to flood mine very easily. The other day it went dead and I hooked a 12 bolt jump box to it. It made the starter spin like crazy and the car started right up. I don't have a clock and did not turn any thing on while the box was connected. Let me know how you like the conversion when you are done.

[Corsairdeluxe]

1. If you use a one wire alternator and it fails on the road you ain't gonna find a replacement. The std. GM 10 SI is available everyhere and at a lower price.
2.There are 12 volt coils available for use with and without a dropping resister. I prefer and have used the dropping resistor versions.

Good stuff here
Look under adapters and brackets

http://www.jimcotest.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=24&Itemid=21&lang=en

[Fid]

Before anyone makes any changes some clarification may be needed - Joe Frazer, are you referring to a Delco 6 volt starter handling 12 volts? Seems to me my dad had a'53 J that was converted to 12v and I think he left the 6 volt starter in it and as you said, it was OK. That being said, I know for a fact 12 volts will blow an Autolite starter in the earlier cars - it did so on my '48 Frazer when we tried to jump it with 12 (and only left it on momentarily) - it rips a metal ring apart inside it.  Didn't hurt it electrically though but after having done that, I spoke with John Haller and Keith Zimmerman and both told me they had the exact same experience when they tried to jump their early cars with 12 volts - rips that metal ring in the start apart. So, I guess my question is, does it matter if it's Delco or Autolite? A '51 would be Delco but Joekeys2010 I believe, is Autolite.
And by they way, regarding the ignition components, points and condenser can handle the additional current but the coil, probably not.

[JoeKeys2010]

Fid you are right mine is an Autolite.  I've jumped it twice with a 12 volt jump box and had no issue.  I originally sent the starter out to a rebuilder and I thought he told me 12V would not hurt it but I am not sure.  I will check with him though.  The car is currently out to be painted so I will not be starting it in the near future.  Thanks for the heads up though, I don't want to blow my starter.  I do have a spare.

[Fid]

It will be interesting to hear other comments on this. As I mentioned, electrically it did not hurt mine but there is metal ring on the shaft, possibly a "stop" of some time for the drive gear. When it rips that ring, it jams and won't spin. Perhaps when he rebuilt it he used heavier duty ring.  It will be interesting to hear other comments.

[Fid]

I just checked my parts book and it shows a break down of the starter parts. Unfortunately my scanner is on the blink so I can't get a picture on here but there's two ring stops, one on each side of the bendix spring - that's what tears, probably due to the higher torque. 

[JoeKeys2010]

Im out of town this week but will check when I get back in town.  Ill let you know what he says

[Fid]

New scanner up and running so I thought I'd tack the picture onto this thread.  I also spoke with my dad and asked what he remembered about this and he said it happened as a result of persistent starting attempts - that is, staying on too long. If you connect long enough to get the starter to spin and fire the engine, then get off right away  you'll likely have no problems. It's when you crank on it persistently without it starting or firing where you'll have problems. He had a 12volt battery in a '53 Henry J with the original 6 volt Delco starter and used it for years. He said due to cash and finding a suitable replacement, his approach was to just leave the original in till it burned up, which it never did and he drove it like that for 10 years. It was a great winter starter that's for sure! I remember the cigarette lighter would spit right out too!
Anyway, in the diagram below, the two rings that tear if you crank on it too long are at the bottom of the diagram, circled in red:


And as I mention, no electrical damage occurred. I was even reminded that when this did happen, we just took the ring and bent it back into shape and brazed it back together, ground it smooth and put it back in. It worked fined.

[JoeKeys2010]

Thanks Fid for the diagram. I haven't gotten back with the starter guy.