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| | | | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 22 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 22 | I'm converting to 12 volt on a 55 1st series pickup. I have a new wiring harness ready for the 12 volt system. I can't find any reference that talks about what to do with the coil and distributor. What are the modifications needed for a coil and distributor. I'm planning on getting a new distributor and coil. Is that all I need to do? What about the spark plugs? those probably need to be different. What size should I get? Anybody done this to a 235 before with good success? | | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,378 Ex Hall Monitor | | Ex Hall Monitor Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,378 | Your dizy is OK as is. Your spark plugs are OK as is. You will need a 12v coil, voltage regulator & bulbs. Many here say you need a drop to the gauges but I didn't do that when I converted my 55.1 panel and had no problems. Maybe I was just lucky.  BTW you don't need a new harness just to swap to 12v. The 6v harness is plenty heavy (heavier than the 12v). If the existing harness is shot then OK but don't waste your money and time if you don't need to.
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| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 3,596 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 3,596 | Patrick's catalog http://www.patricksantiquecars.com/ has a great section in the back on the conversion. If you get a coil with internal resistor that is one less thing to worry about as well. Also search here in the Tech Tips there is good information as well. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 22 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 22 | The harness on my truck was trashed. Most of the wiring was gone, so I chose to buy a new harness. It will allow me to add some new accessories that weren't there. Has anybody replaced their distributor with a more modern one for the 235? Which one did you use? | | | | | Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 Riding in the Passing Lane | | Riding in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 | It's best to use a conventional coil & a resister with a resister bypass when starting. You will also need a 12 volt gen. unless you are switching to an alt. You need to put a resister on the gas gauge. The oil & temp are mechanocal. The amp gauge will work unless you use a high output alt.
Last edited by Wrenchbender Ret.; 10/19/2008 11:23 PM.
They say money can't buy happiness. It can buy old Chevy trucks though. Same thing. 1972 Chevy c10 Cheyenne SuperIn the Gallery Forum | | | | | Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 1,300 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 1,300 | Light bulbs, radio, heater blower motor need to be switched to 12V versions or have a voltage drop. I buy 12V points and condensor, 12V generator, 12V coil,and starter solenoid as mine was hydra-matic. Gas guage was mentioned. | | |
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