For 54 Lincoln Capri. Going to be converting to 12 volt, don't bother asking me why. Don't know how to look for them. Also the alternator, since the car didn't come with 13v, how does one look for these parts?

Brad
Sierra Vista Arizona
1954 Lincoln Capri

Cancelled. Incorrect information . 

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.

For the headlights, the 54 probably has the typical 7” round sealed beam. Any 7” 12 volt sealed beam will work, try the part number for a 56 Ford. You can buy those in halogen now (or you could) which is a bit better than the original ones.

Alternator. Pretty much all of them is going to work once you get it mounted and lined up with the belt, with the right diameter and width pulley. I’d guess Lincoln used whatever was the big Ford one, same as a high line Merc, police car, or truck. Someone here can probably comment on that.

There’s the standard GM alternator replacement set up offered by the tbird guys. Not much difference to use a Ford alternator. The main thing (for me) is to pick something that was used for a long time and is generally available in case you need one. I don’t like to use 1 wire alternators, I prefer 3 wire, but that’s another discussion.

It might also be possible to use a Lincoln generator off a later model (56? That’s when Ford went 12v) that just bolts in (with the matching regulator) and run that. The only disadvantage of a generator is they don’t charge much at idle (we can argue about that later).

IIRC, you’ve got a lot of power accessories and an oem AC compressor. Some of those are simple , some complicated for a 6v to 12v conversion. Again, another subject. Is your AC compressor an electric clutch, or did they unload on a control circuit on the lines?

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

I was asked that question once before and I have no idea . The compressor looks like an old Harley engine, probably weighs as much too.

Brad
Sierra Vista Arizona
1954 Lincoln Capri

Doesn’t look like it’s leaking enough oil to be an old Harley-unless it’s empty.

Seriously, this site came up on another site. Might add them to your list.

https://www.lincolnoldparts.com/

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

Was the Lincoln 6 positive ground in 54? If it is guys here with 54-55 Fords or Mercury’s should respond if they personally did the change and will know EXACTLY what to do and look out for. I did a 1953 GM car which was negative ground. 

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.

Yes, it is a 6 volt. Since there are a lot of electrical accessories, ie power seats, windows, ac, I don't want to have any worries of running low on power.

Brad
Sierra Vista Arizona
1954 Lincoln Capri

If you are keeping the original power seat and power windows then you better think long and hard about switching to 12 volts.  I think that if you put  12 volts to the original 6 volt seat and window motors and relays, you will likely burn out these components very quickly.  If your Lincoln came equipped with FACTORY air conditioning then it also came equipped with a high output (60 amp I believe) generator.  I have a '54 Ford convertible that has the factory police package and it has all of the same electrical equipment as your Lincoln i.e. power windows, power seat and the high output generator.  My windows and seat operate as quickly on 6 volts as my 2016 Lincoln MKX does on 12 volts and I have never had a battery or charging problem.  If you are not concerned with originality and you decide to install aftermarket power accessories then go with a 12 volt conversion.

Thanks for that interesting information. I just heard horror stories about cars not charging, dim headlights etc. I'm going to check out the generator tomorrow to see if it has any info on it about output. I know nothing at all about positive ground and how to wire anything up to it.

Brad
Sierra Vista Arizona
1954 Lincoln Capri

With clean connections, proper wire size, and a good charging system 6 volts works fine. Not so good if you want to add modern items or don’t take care of it.

I converted my 55 bird to 12 volts 20 years ago. The 6 volt starter and power seat motors and relays are fine. You just don’t run them continuously till they get hot, and on the seats and windows everything needs to be adjusted and lubed. That often means rebuilt. The 6 volt horns included.

The fan motor is another question. I changed mine to 12, but some say they’re fine left at 6 volt’s. I don’t know, never tried it. Light bulbs you change, drop resistors for gauges. The radio will require someone who knows more about them than I do, but I think that’s doable on 12 also. Not sure about the positive ground part at all.

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ