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#92571 08/07/2005 4:20 AM | Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 21 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 21 | Hello Everyone!
I was trying to get my truck started (54 Chevy 6400) and the 6v battery borrowed from the tractor wouldn't quite turn it over. I thought maybe it was a low battery, so I charged it overnight and tried again. This time it turned, but not very enthusiastically--maybe one revolution at a time.
I was just reading a previous post (Do I need a Resistor?, 8/4) and assumed that refenced a ballast resistor. From what I've read, 6v trucks didn't have a ballast resistor, correct? My truck not only has a ballast resistor, but the generator pulley doesn't line up with the crank pulley, and the ignition doesn't seem to work at all.
I would guess that I now have a 12v truck. Are there any other easy ways to identify what's what?
Thank you,
J.K. | | |
#92572 08/07/2005 4:53 AM | Joined: Jul 2000 Posts: 2,187 Insomniac | | Insomniac Joined: Jul 2000 Posts: 2,187 | We had a discusssion about this last November. I think the easiest thing to do was check the head lamps. ID system voltage
Gord 🇨🇦
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1954 1/2 ton 235 4 speed
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#92573 08/07/2005 4:56 AM | Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 21 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 21 | Very good! It has some good info. Sorry I didn't see that earlier.
Thank you,
J.K. | | |
#92574 08/08/2005 2:48 AM | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 | Even if lights and charging system were switched it would probably still have a 6V starter. They won't swap out without swapping out the flywheel too, or a complete engine swap.
Dirty corroded ground connections will cause slow turning starters on 6V systems. So will skinny aftermarket 12V cables. If it has those and you keep it 6V get a fat 6V pos. cable and a 6V ground strap. | | |
#92575 08/08/2005 6:06 PM | Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 21 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 21 | Thanks for the reply, cletis.
Are there any ways to ID a 6v starter from a 12v? It had a sticker on it, but I can't read it. I thought it would be a 6v because it was a kick starter, not a solenoid starter. The starter contacts (pushbutton on the starter) are a little pitted, but I couldn't get in there to smooth them.
The ground strap on the battery is the heavy braided factory type, but it could be corroded. I'll clean the contacts on that. Next weekend, I may try to start it with a 12v battery and see what happens. | | |
#92576 08/08/2005 8:16 PM | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 2,031 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 2,031 | if it spins fast using a 12 volt... it's a 6 volt
Jim & Caroline
The highway is for gamblers, better use your good sense."
Gooday-that's my 1¢ answer due to the lousy economy ~ cause I ain't got - no . mo . doe
Every Shaver | Now Can Snore | Six More Minutes | Than Before ... | Half A Pound for Half a Dollar | Spread On Thin | Above the Collar || BURMA-SHAVE
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#92577 08/08/2005 9:21 PM | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,748 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,748 | My 59 3800 with a 235 has a 12 volt stomp starter, so it's not possible to make that distinction. Start out with a good cleaning of all the terminals from the battery to the starter, and back along the ground path. Such things as headlight bulbs will have a voltage designation, or they'll burn very dimly if you try to burn a 12V bulb with 6 volts. It sounds like you've got a 12V conversion already. There should be a 12 volt marking on the generator ID tag if it's been swapped out.
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!
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#92578 08/08/2005 9:50 PM | Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 | Look for writing on the coil and voltage regulator. Sometimes they will say 12 volt or 6 volt.
1955 1st GMC Suburban | 1954 GMC 250 trailer puller project | 1954 GMC 250 Hydra-Matic | 1954 Chevy 3100 . 1947 Chevy COE | and more...
It's true. I really don't do anything but browse the Internet looking for trouble... | | |
#92579 08/09/2005 2:03 PM | Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 21 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 21 | Very good. Thanks a lot for the responses! | | |
#92580 08/15/2005 10:40 PM | Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 69 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 69 | The six volt starter will have a data plate with a Black background while the 12 volt will have a Red background. | | |
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