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| | | | Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 34 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 34 | What needs to be changed to convert a GMC positive ground system to a Chevy negative ground on a 1946 GMC chassis? What problems are created by simply changing the battery cables?
Grease magnet
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 Riding in the Passing Lane | | Riding in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 | You will need a Chevy voltage regulator. Polarize the gen. Reverse the wires on the coil. If it has a radio you will need a different one.
Are you changing to 12 volts?
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: Jul 2013 Posts: 34 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 34 | Thanks. No, I'm staying with the 6v with generator. I like to change as little as possible.
Grease magnet
| | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 | Thanks. No, I'm staying with the 6v with generator. I like to change as little as possible. No sense in changing polarity then. | | | | | Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 34 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 34 | I just don't like dealing with positive grounds. My quirk.
Grease magnet
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 1,458 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 1,458 | I just don't like dealing with positive grounds. My quirk. ------------------------------------------------------ Originally Posted By: 41flatbedThanks. No, I'm staying with the 6v with generator. I like to change as little as possible. ------------------------------------------------------ Going to have to choose between those two!
Last edited by BC59; 12/08/2013 8:58 AM.
BC
1960 Chevy C10 driver 261 T5 4.10 dana 44 power loc
1949 GMC 250 project in waiting
1960 C60 pasture art
Retired GM dealer tech. 1980 - 2022
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 | There would only be a problem with the radio if it has a solid state vibrator in it. In that case you would install the one made for negative ground. The old mechanical vibrators do not care about polarity. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,596 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,596 | I just don't like dealing with positive grounds. My quirk. You need to completely rewire the truck and change some of the components. Or you could just learn to deal with the positive ground system. Your choice. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 | .
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You need to completely rewire the truck and change some of the components. Or you could just learn to deal with the positive ground system. Your choice. What do you have to "completely" rewire (on a 1946 GMC)? The battery leads, the coil leads, the ammeter leads, and the ? Wouldn't the major cost be the cost of a few components, not the wiring/re-wiring? Nonetheless, why switch from 6v positive ground to 6v negative ground? 41flatbed: what would be the difficulties in "dealing" with 6v positive ground? | | | | | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,596 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,596 | .
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You need to completely rewire the truck and change some of the components. Or you could just learn to deal with the positive ground system. Your choice. What do you have to "completely" rewire (on a 1946 GMC)? The battery leads, the coil leads, the ammeter leads, and the ? Wouldn't the major cost be the cost of a few components, not the wiring/re-wiring? Nonetheless, why switch from 6v positive ground to 6v negative ground? 41flatbed: what would be the difficulties in "dealing" with 6v positive ground? My point is that if you want to ensure you don't have future problems, you're best off to start back from scratch and make sure everything is negative grounded, and negative ground compatible. It seems a lot less work and headache just to deal with the positive ground. | | |
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