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By 55charliebird - 5 Years Ago
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I was told that you can install an 8 volt battery in a 55 t-bird. It will start with more oomph, will not affect the wiring or bulbs might bother the radio, but will charge ok from the generator. Any one try it?
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By FORD DEARBORN - 5 Years Ago
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I wish I could answer your question but can't. I can only mention that a properly functioning 6 volt charging system should be limited to about 7.5 volts charging. Maybe someone will comment regarding an 8 volt battery? An 8 volt battery would need about 9 volts to maintain proper battery charge That is, about 2.4 charging volts per cell. Hope this helps, JEFF.................
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By Hoosier Hurricane - 5 Years Ago
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That is an old band aid remedy from about 60 years ago for hard cranking 6 volt cars. Yes, the regulator has to be reset to 9 volts to keep the battery charged. The wiring is not affected, but the light bulbs will be noticeably brighter and shorter lived. I don't know about the radio. The heater blower will run a bit faster also. Probably wouldn't hurt poser window or seat motors, they typically don't run long enough to overheat. Are 8 volt batteries even available anymore?
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By cokefirst - 5 Years Ago
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I have seen these 8 volt batteries used and the engine will crank faster. I would worry about the radio at 9 volts over 7 and as mentioned the light bulbs will fail earlier. The problem with these mid 50's Y blocks is that the compression ration was being raised for more horsepower and the 55 was causing the cars to turn over slow. With everything being new they started OK, when things get worn, that is where the problems start to arise, It is also common for people to use twelve volt cables. BIG mistake. The twelve volt cables will not carry the load necessary to get efficient transfer of power to the starter and will cause the voltage drop at starting to be marginal for the ignition system.
Another trick some of the oldtimers used was a 6/12 battery. It is a twelve volt battery that has a starter relay attached During normal running of the vehicle it is two, six volt batteries in parallel. During starting, the starter relay on the battery reconnects the batteries in series and you have twelve volts only during the starting cycle. A place called Antique Auto Battery has them. the advantage is that you don't need to change to a different generator as you charge the batteries as if you had two six volt batteries hooked in parallel.
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By Florida_Phil - 5 Years Ago
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If you decide to convert your 55 TBird to 12 volts, it's not a big deal. I converted mine and I would never go back to 6 volts. Here's a link that will help you. Your car will start better, charge better and you will love it.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/6-to-12volt-conversion.468588/
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By Meandean - 5 Years Ago
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Thanks for the information about the 6/12 Battery. I did not know such a set up existed. I had already considered and ruled out the 8V battery for my stock '55 Fairlane.
One issue I previously had with my vehicle was when I attempted to convert from points to the electronic ignition kit. I purchased and installed the correct kit for the 6V system.
Problem was, there was not enough 'oomph' in the battery to both crank the engine and energize the electronic ignition.
When I cranked the engine it would never spark/kick. Until the instant I let up on the key, then it would hit momentarily. Usually not enough to start but on occasion it would actually start. So I was stuck going back to the points setup.
I wonder if the 12V through the ignition would be enough? Or would it maybe be too much for the electronic ignition and ruin that?
I am not very adept at the electrical/electronic field. But it sounded like it might be a solution to having the electronic ignition.
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By Florida_Phil - 5 Years Ago
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My car was converted to 12 volts before I bought it some time ago. It still had the 6 volt generator and starter. It worked OK until I installed a Pertronix unit and coil. The engine developed a miss and the battery kept running down. I removed the generator and replaced it with an alternator and have had no more problems.
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By Lou - 5 Years Ago
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If your engine seems to be cranking slower then your starter is at fault, have it rebuilt now and save yourself from problems later. As for converting to 12 volts, there is no real gain, just a lost in the cars value.
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By oldcarmark - 5 Years Ago
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Meandean (3/15/2019)
Thanks for the information about the 6/12 Battery. I did not know such a set up existed. I had already considered and ruled out the 8V battery for my stock '55 Fairlane. One issue I previously had with my vehicle was when I attempted to convert from points to the electronic ignition kit. I purchased and installed the correct kit for the 6V system. Problem was, there was not enough 'oomph' in the battery to both crank the engine and energize the electronic ignition. When I cranked the engine it would never spark/kick. Until the instant I let up on the key, then it would hit momentarily. Usually not enough to start but on occasion it would actually start. So I was stuck going back to the points setup. I wonder if the 12V through the ignition would be enough? Or would it maybe be too much for the electronic ignition and ruin that? I am not very adept at the electrical/electronic field. But it sounded like it might be a solution to having the electronic ignition.
I wonder if a direct Bypass Circuit from the Solenoid to Coil would solve your Problem? On the 12 Volt System there is a Terminal on Solenoid that provides full 12 Volts to Coil for starting. As soon as the Engine Starts and the Key is released that Circuit disconnects. Did You enquire with the Electronic Ignition Manufacturer regarding your Problem? There's lots of People using 6 Volt Electronic Ignition Setups successfully. I would check with the Manufacturer..
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By 55charliebird - 5 Years Ago
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8 volt batteries are available. My golf cart has 6 of them producing 48 volts to run the golf cart. Batteries plus may have the correct dimensions for an 8 volt battery or Tractor Supply may have them.
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By 2721955meteor - 5 Years Ago
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re 6volt,set the reg to charge 8volt so battery fully charged, install a electric fuel pump as a supplement with a manual switch. so after the toy is parked for the week hit the switch, that will fill the small float in the percolator carb(slang for early holleys on 55 and 6 birds). i have owned 2 separate times 55 birds ,1st a 312 powered resto that would always start if the elect pump actuated after long stop 4days or more. 2nd1 was 292 with a radical cam etc same carb regs set to 8vots. carbs rebuilt, always start.. mine both std trans. i think a auto trans would be more touchy as the torque has drag,and must have 6volt starter,they are not the same as 12volt
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By cokefirst - 5 Years Ago
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The way the vehicles are wired, you will get 12 volts to the ignition circuit also when cranking. I think it will work fine with the 6/12 battery.
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By Florida_Phil - 5 Years Ago
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The question of how modifications affect value is a great question for this forum. It should be in a separate thread. The number of people who lusted after early Fords is shrinking. When I buy gas, young people walk over and ask me what kind of car it is. Some say things like "My grandfather had one of these". At Barrett Jackson, restomods are bringing more money than stock restored examples. Who wants to drive a car that won't start, can't stop, has poor performance, leaks oil or rides like a truck? If you own an early Ford to compete in a concours event, I get it. If you own one to drive, fixing those issues makes sense and may even increase it's value depending on who buys it in the future. As long as you don't do anything that can't be reversed and keep the original parts, no harm done.
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By Lou - 5 Years Ago
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Phil, you are correct in saying restomods bring more money that stock vehicles (At most BJ auctions, but not all) how ever if you compare the amount of money spent to build a restomods as compared to a restoration the return on investment is very poor regarding non-stock vehicles.
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By Florida_Phil - 5 Years Ago
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Crazy isn't it? On TV I watch people invest $100-200K into cars that can't bring $50,000 in an auction. The guy on TV says, "Here's your bill, it only took 5,000 hours to complete. When they bring the car out, I wonder how long they will keep it? If you've been around old cars as long as I have you know this is not a money making proposition. I do it because I enjoy working on my cars. The fun is turning wrenches and getting my hands dirty. Paying someone else 4-5 times what my car is worth to do the things I like to do is not the best decision in my view. If that's what you want, wait a few years and buy that $200K restored car for $45,000.
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By PF Arcand - 5 Years Ago
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As 6 V cars usually started fine when new, whats the problem now? As noted 12 V replacement cables don't cut it! If needed make new ones from welding cable. Also, check & clean all connections & grounds. And in some cases the starter may need an overhaul. If the car is only driven occasionally, invest in a battery maintainer, costing maybe $30.00 or so. (I learned that lesson the hard way) And check the timing to ensure it's not retarded or whatever.. Good luck.
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By 55charliebird - 5 Years Ago
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12v cables gave me the fits. I went back to the original "0" cables. I used the new 12 cables for engine to frame ground, engine to firewall ground...etc. . Works fine.
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By oldcarmark - 5 Years Ago
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Rock Auto lists the correct Cables for 55 with 6 Volt. Gauge 1. The Ones for 56 12 Volt are Gauge 4. Already made up.
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By chiggerfarmer - 5 Years Ago
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Do not forget that all batteries are not equal. I do not know what the original 55 battery cranking amps were, but some of the cheap 6 volt batteries that are commonly sold are for scruby 6's. They will not work well. I had great luck with the Optima 6 volt on my 54. Also check voltage at coil. Ignition switches wear out and have excessive resistance.
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