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| | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 323 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: May 2005 Posts: 323 | Hello, wondering if anyone out there can recommend some place that sells a 12 volt conversion kit for a 1953 GMC 302? | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,961 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,961 | You really don't need a kit for the engine. All you need is a 12 volt coil that would have come on a 56 model and a ballast resistor. The rest of the vehicle, will just have to change it over. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | Kenneth,
What about a Runtz-style resistor for the fuel gauge?
And, of course, light bulbs. | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 323 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: May 2005 Posts: 323 | They make kits for the chevy's that include an alternator and brackets. Just looking for something similar for the GMC engines. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,961 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,961 | An alternator bracket that fits a Chev will fit a 302. As for fuel gauge, I was never very concerned about them. I remember guys using a fuel sending unit for a 56 model. I'm not sure how accurate they were. Of course in those days our best indicator was to rock the vehicle and listen to the sloshing. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | 6V starter will work fine on 12V. 6V wires are thicker than 12V wires, so you are ahead there.
Ed
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 | When I converted my 216 to 12 volts, I used a coil that doesn't require an external resistor. So far i have had no problem with it. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,961 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,961 | Low RPM engines such as tractor engines do just fine with internal resistor coils. However, with GMC engines that I ran approaching the 4000 rpm range, a GM type coil with a ballast resistor did better. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | If you can get through to them, ask if the fuel gauge reducer is a separate unit and if it is a Runtz-style reducer. | | |
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