53 manhattan 12 volt coversion

[rdburpo]

OK so here's what i got my 53 has a Chevy v8 engine and Chevy tranny. the rear end problem i had is fixed now with the help of BACA differential here in Vegas. so now I'm doing the wiring and upgrading the old stuff. i would really like to keep the original cluster for my gauges BUT its set up for 6 volt and i want to get rid of the Volta drop ballast that was installed when i got the car. my question would be is there somewhere that i can get a set of gauges for this thing that look like the original but are 12 volt? i would also need to find a gas tank sending unit that is also 12 volt. the fuel gauge is my main concern the other gauges if needed i could run a set of triple gauges under the dash. i don't want to do it that way but i will if i have too. let me know any ideas!

[ben-tex]

The cluster has a "voltage regulator" built in at the factory and I ran 12 volts without changing that and had no problems for several years. No reason to change sender in tank either. The polarity will have to be reversed on the ammeter since the Kaiser was positive ground and the Chevy uses a negative ground.

Tom Stradt and I had an article in the Quarterly (Vol 21 1985 Number 3) on the swap to Chevy power. Tom did most of the design and I chased parts and tools and supplied the beer 

[Fid]

We had a Henry J that was converted to 12 volts and we drove it for years with the original gauges and the original 6 volt OD solenoid. Didn't seem to bother it so we just left it alone.

[ben-tex]

Bobbie Roades has a 52 Kaiser with OD converted to 12 volts with no changes in the OD electrics. Same experience as FID.

[54 Kaiser]

Another possibility (less expensive) is to change the gauge polarities for negative ground, and install this:

http://www.carparts.com/autoparts/ItemBrowse/c-10618/s-10401/p-100000325670/mediaCode-CP/appId-100000325670/Pr-p_CATENTRY_ID:100000325670

They also have an 80 amp plain and 80 amp chrome version if you want the extra grunt or show.

Advantage: Keep original battery. Gauges. Bulbs. Relays. Electric fuel pump if you have one. etc. And, avoid labour of changing same. You WILL have to fiddle around and maybe make a bracket for the alternator to replace the generator though.

[ken taplin]

I convert 6V cars to 8V. It makes for easier starting and better lighting and all you have to do is tweak the voltage regulator up to 9.2 V. 6V light bulbs are rated for 8V.