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My dad and I dropped a 350 into a '47 pick-up and it didn't seem as complicated as this to get the electrical system updated to 12v in 1984.
We replaced the entire starter and alternator without rebuilding anything.
Are parts to do the conversion in one step no longer common?
It was a pretty common conversion back in the 1970s and 1980s. Even if people were keeping the old stovebolt 235 inline 6, people did the conversions back then because it started to get hard to find 6V batteries, starters and alternators. Plus 12V usually has a LOT more cranking power, especially in the dead of winter up north.
ReplyDeleteI suspect your guess about the conversion parts (and there aren't many) are not as common these days but probably more that the general experience and wisdom of how to do it has also been lost. Most 6V cars that are ever going to be converted have been done. And there really isn't a huge amount to it if you are already replacing a lot of stuff like if you're building a street rod, usually they are putting in a modern engine, dash/guages and steering column. If you're replacing most of the electrical system and wiring harness anyway it isn't a big deal.
There are a few other challenges for dropping a V8 into a lot of pre 1955 Chevies though, mostly in that clearances are tight and designed for inline 6. Things like the steering column/steering box and motor mounts can be fun.
-swj
I think he made things more complicated than it needs to be. And switching wholesale to a V8 is probbly easier than trying to make the old I6 play nicely with 12V.
ReplyDelete-swj
Summit will sell you a complete 12v starter and alternator. You don't even have to steal the fan and pulley off the generator either. I think he was depending on the local parts store.
DeleteSome people like to make things harder than they have to be.
ReplyDeleteEspecially when making U-t00b videos.
The '57 CJ got a new 12V starter, alt and battery...maybe a 12V coil(?) and a resister for the instruments.
Oh- and 12V lights.
Yes, he is trying to keep it local due to time constraints. The days of walking into your local parts store (not a national chain) and finding all that you need for a 40/50/60 and even 70's vehicle are long gone.
ReplyDeleteI helped rebuild a Checker in mid 70's and we found all the necessary engine parts locally, old school dim warehouse full of racks with dust, a long counter and guys working there that were already fixing stuff in late 1940. No computer in sight, just memory and card files.
I am a few miles from Lane Automotive (similar to Summit), they have almost all you need so long as you have a very deep wallet and go for updating/modernizing and not just minimalist replacement parts.
Now if any of you have a line on a rust free 1965 Chevy Impala wagon with 3 rows. let me know. I should have never sold mine back in 77. Sigh!.
@ Terrapod-
DeleteHer's the selections from close to San Antonio, TX
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/108121015876229/search?query=1965%20chevy%20impala%20wagon