Sorry to jump in here so late, and the point is probably moot, but for those playing along at home and considering doing this themselves ... Can we walk this back to the beginning for a moment (indulge me) and somebody tell me why we are converting to 12 volts? Most of the time, it strikes me that the 12-volt conversion project is a solution in search of a valid problem. "Because the engine was 12 volts already" is not a valid reason in my mind. To that, I answer, "So what???" Engines are not 6 volt or 12 volts or anything electrical. They are engines -- the peripherals attached are what make them 6 or 12 volt. We make them one or the other because we *want* to, not because someone is holding a knife to our throats.
Not too long ago, I upgraded my '49 from it's original 216 to a 261 ... and kept it 6 volt. The hardest part (relatively speaking ...) was switching the flywheel ring gear from the 216 flywheel to the 261's flywheel (which DJ did for me and demonstrated just how easy that is to do). Other than that,*everything* else except for the manifolds transferred nicely to the 261 (even the distributor! Although you do have to be careful about what gear material is on the bottom end of that 216 dizzy...) and I didn't have the hassle of worrying about wire harnesses, ballast resisters, gas tank sending units, alternators (and bracket mountings) starter gymnastics, et al. I realize I am oversimplifying, but I do so to make a point ....
.... you *don't* HAVE to convert to 12 volts if you don't want/need to. And in a lot of cases, like mine for example, it's a whole lot easier and less expensive to stay 6 volts than going crazy with the 12-volt conversion. And staying 6 volts gives you a truck that is less hacked up and every bit as usable as a 12-volt truck. I live quite happily with 6 volts. Want easy starting? Most times, merely tuning your engine/adjusting your valves/using good gas will do the trick. Want a radio? Try an ipod or bluetooth speakers for your smart phone.
Brighter headlights? Make sure your grounds are clean and tight -- my lights are as bright as anyone elses.
As I recall, in my engine upgrade, the only thing for the actual install (the engine rebuild is a whole other matter and you can read about it in the Tech Tips
) I had to order was the ... NOTHING. I had everything onhand already from my 216. AND the truck, was staying 6 volts, so I didn't have to disturb the wiring.
And I was fortunate enough to have been given a '54 mold 261 (Thanks AGAIN, Scott!!), so I didn't have to move the water pump or the radiator.
Bottom line -- Converting to 12 volts isn't a "must do" just because you are switching to a newer engine. People should put their wrenches down for a moment to consider their options against their wants and desires before following the herd into something that's expensive, time consuming and quite possibly *needless.*
After considering all this and you still want to convert to 12 volts, by all means go and do it. There are some advantages to being 12 volts (I can't think of any, but I'm sure there are some ...
)
Hmmmm, this sound like a good tech tip -- "Things you don't have to do just because everyone else thinks its a good idea....."
Hope that helps ... someone ...
John
