The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 12 v distributor in 6 volt vehicle

Hi all, have a 47 2 ton loadmaster, it had 235, I put in a 1958 235, left the truck 6 volt but going to use 12 volt distributor that came in replacement engine, going to use 6 volt coil. Wondering if I need to change internals in distributor to 6 volt or just put the 6 volt distributor in replacement engine? I would think the 12 volt distributor should work fine as is. Any input appreciated..Thanks

Our tech tip section on 12V conversion does not say anything about dizzy (electrically). I don't know if it physically fits. Dizzy part numbers are not the same for 47 and 58. Also I have read something about cam gear vs dizzy gear, Better check that out for "iron meshing cast" compatibility. You could chew something up.

I have a '50 COE that came from the previous owner with a '58 235. I have retained a 6 volt system and I believe the distributor is the proper one for the engine. I don't know what internals you would change anyway, except for the condensor. Another factor to consider is the issue of earlier distributors having a hardened gear that would wear the matching gear of the later engines with cast cam shaft. Thus, one would argue against putting the 6 volt distributor in your later 235.

Kent

Thanks guys, I had read somewhere about the difference in the dist. drive gears and figured not a good idea to use the older dist. I will give it a shot as is and see what happens, if have any problems will swap out condenser.

Sorry, misread your first post, you did say your were using the 58 dizzy and just wanted to know about electrics for 6V vs 12V. I'm on drugs.

Distributors which have a delco remy number ending in 2403 (originally introduced in 555 and used through 63 on the production line), were listed as the service replacement models for the 54 and earlier distributors. (That information is directly from my delco remy books). So while you can use the later distributors in the earlier models, you probably should not use the early models in the later motors.

Electrical concerns on the distributor are a non issue. 6 volt, or 12 Volt. The points have the same current rating. The condenser is the same. The coil does matter. A 6 Volt coil has no resistor. The 12 Volt has either an inline resistor(so it is a 6 Volt after all) or an internal resistor(so the factory fixed it to act like a 12 Volt coil) The coil part is pretty much the same. A resistance test can be confusing(the coil is rated by AC not DC signals. Induction is an AC attribute). Some coils are very close to each other 6 Volt to 12 Volt. But, and this matters, the Distributor is not different.(mechanical issues aside) The difference in a 6 Volt coil and a 12 Volt coil can be as small as 2 Ohms. The inline "ballast" resistors are not many Ohms either. The issue is current through the points. That is what matters. I know this has been a long winded reply, but it can help others, I hope.