The Stovebolt.com Forums Home | Tech Tips | Gallery | FAQ | Events | Features | Search
Help is a click away!

VEHICLE
INFORMATION
KITS


at the

GM Heritage Center
All the details are here.

Searching the Site - a click away
click here to search
New here ??? Where to start?
Click on image for the lowdown. Where do I go around here?
====
Who's Online Now
4 members (JW51, Gdads51, Cosmo, tesa), 63 guests, and 0 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Forum Statistics
Forums66
Topics128,076
Posts1,055,925
Members48,430
Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026
Step-by-step instructions for pictures in the forums
Brad Allen's photos

AD Chevy Trucks

Pictures galore
Over 6,000 pictures

Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips.

Check them out!

Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!

Big Thanks!

THANKS!

For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for

over 30 years!

and not clogged down
with Ads!


Again, thanks!

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 23
B
Wrench Fetcher
Wrench Fetcher
B Offline
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 23
Just wondering if I can use my 6v starter on 12 volts, a neighbor of mine said it would work just fine, just spin a lil faster and start up quicker!?? It is on a 216 6L, 1940 big bolt. Thanks!


BJ
'Keep on Truckin'
1940 1.5 ton dump
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 240
B
'Bolter
'Bolter
B Offline
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 240
Welcome to the 'bolt,

6V starter will work fine in a 12V system, many successful examples including my own truck. A 12V starter will not properly fit a 6V engine (see here and read the 9th post down from tclederman. He explains the tooth count difference between 6V and 12V applications.)

It does spin faster, be careful about cranking it too long if you're having trouble getting the truck started.

Have fun,

Bill


1947 3100 Advanced Design

Never, never, never, never give up. - Churchill
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 10,275
5
Renaissance Man
Renaissance Man
5 Offline
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 10,275
The faster spinning 6 volt starter is one of the best advantages of the 12 volt conversion. Quick start up!
Carl


1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,377
T
Ex Hall Monitor
Ex Hall Monitor
T Offline
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,377
Unless you're wanting to run a high power stereo there's no good reason to "upgrade" to 12v. A 6v system with a good battery & starter with clean connections & properly sized cables will start just fine. Having said that back to your original post, if you don't crank for extended periods your starter will be just fine.


Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet.
The three main causes of blindness: Cataracts, Politics, Religion.
Name your dog Naked so you can walk Naked in the park.
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 23
B
Wrench Fetcher
Wrench Fetcher
B Offline
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 23
Thanks guys, just reconfirms my thoughts for the conversion!


BJ
'Keep on Truckin'
1940 1.5 ton dump
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 86
M
'Bolter
'Bolter
M Offline
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 86
is there a such thing as 12v points, condenser and coil that need to be installed before attempting to use a 12v battery? I have no other wires connected to this engine besides the starter connection to the battery and power to the coil for a test fire.


1951 Chevy 3100 1/2-Ton
"Piecing it Together - Blow by Blow"
Follow in the DITY
More photos in Flickr

1939 Chevy 3/4-Ton
In the Project Journals Forum
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 29,269
Bubba - Curmudgeon
Bubba - Curmudgeon
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 29,269
points - same 6v and 12v

condenser - same 6v and 12v

coil - different 6v and 12v

information obtained from Rockauto.com on-line catalog

Note: 12v ignition system needs a ballast resistor in-line to the coil, unless the coil has an internal resistor.

Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 86
M
'Bolter
'Bolter
M Offline
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 86
Thanks for the quick reply!

Does the ballast resister element only apply if the generator is hooked up? Also, how much resistance is necessary? 3 Ohms?

Last edited by Markiemark9; 09/09/2015 4:38 PM.

1951 Chevy 3100 1/2-Ton
"Piecing it Together - Blow by Blow"
Follow in the DITY
More photos in Flickr

1939 Chevy 3/4-Ton
In the Project Journals Forum
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,747
S
'Bolter
'Bolter
S Offline
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,747
Ballast Resistor helps control current at the points. Generator/Alternator, makes no difference. Balance Ohms to the coil. You want to see about, 4 to 6 volts across the Ballast resistor. Just put a meter across the Resistor with the points closed, and the Ignition on. Don't leave the ignition for very long. You will get to recharge the battery, and maybe replace the points.


Steve H
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 86
M
'Bolter
'Bolter
M Offline
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 86
Perfect, thanks!


1951 Chevy 3100 1/2-Ton
"Piecing it Together - Blow by Blow"
Follow in the DITY
More photos in Flickr

1939 Chevy 3/4-Ton
In the Project Journals Forum
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,002
V
VEW Offline
'Bolter
'Bolter
V Offline
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,002
On topic question....I think.
It doesn't matter which way current flows through the resistor, does it?
I'm getting 12v in and 12v out, so just wondering???
Thanks


~ Victor
1941 3/4-Ton Pickup (in process). Read about it in the DITY Gallery
1955 Grumman Kurbside "Doughboy" 235/3 on tree w/ OD
1957 3100 - moved on
1959 C4500 Short Bus "Magic Bus" - moved on
1959 G3800 1 Ton Dually "Chief" - moved on
1958 C4400 Viking "Thor" ~ moved on to fellow Bolter

Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 240
B
'Bolter
'Bolter
B Offline
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 240
It doesn't matter; [basic/simple] resistors like the ignition resistor work the same in "both directions".

Have fun.

Bill


1947 3100 Advanced Design

Never, never, never, never give up. - Churchill
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 29,778
H
Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
H Offline
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 29,778
The only time the resistor will show a voltage drop is with the points closed and the ignition on. If the points are open, you'll see 12V on both ends of the resistor. With the engine running you'll see battery voltage at the upstream end of the ballast resistor and 9-10 volts at the coil + terminal, if everything is wired correctly.
Jerry


"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,002
V
VEW Offline
'Bolter
'Bolter
V Offline
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,002
Thank you gentlemen.


~ Victor
1941 3/4-Ton Pickup (in process). Read about it in the DITY Gallery
1955 Grumman Kurbside "Doughboy" 235/3 on tree w/ OD
1957 3100 - moved on
1959 C4500 Short Bus "Magic Bus" - moved on
1959 G3800 1 Ton Dually "Chief" - moved on
1958 C4400 Viking "Thor" ~ moved on to fellow Bolter


Moderated by  Jon G, Rusty Rod 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Home | FAQ | Gallery | Tech Tips | Events | Features | Search | Hoo-Ya Shop
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 8.0.0