This is probably a dumb question, but I have searched and can't find an answer. So, here goes: I have a 52 Chevy, 1/2 ton with the original wiring, generator, 6V system (although someone converted it to positive ground). I want to keep it 6V because one of the reasons I love my truck is that she is all original. I don't drive her at night, so no worries about dim lights and all that. But, I have a cranking issue. When cold, she spins right over. When hot, she sometimes will barely turn over, and I have to wait for her to cool off before she will crank. I have good, paint-free connections, and am running 00 gauge cables, with a good battery. Old-timers tell me that all these old 6V vehicles were that way. I would love to be able to convert so that I had a 12V battery, and 12V would go straight to the starter. But, I would put a large, ballast resistor to the rest of my electrical system, limiting that to 6V. Now, I assume that would not work because the generator and voltage regulator would only produce/or limit the voltage coming back to the battery to 6V. So, since the battery couldn't charge to 12V, that would negate the entire plan. That is my thinking. However, I have talked to many people who put 8V batteries in 6V systems (I guess an additional 2V won't fry things)and they talk about how much better it cranks. If the only change is dropping in an 8V battery in place of a 6V, then since it only charges to 6V, are they fooling themselves that it cranks better? What am I missing here?
