The Ford Barn

TradModelA · 02-05-2019, 12:06 PM

Hello how can I tell if the car has been converted to 12v or not? I got a 41 Ford with little information about it and no battery in it. Also if it is still 6v, is it a positive ground system? Thanks

Kurt in NJ · 02-05-2019, 12:50 PM

Look at the voltage regulator for numbers, originally + ground

TJ · 02-05-2019, 12:50 PM

Check the generator regulator. The are marked 6 volt or 12 volt.

rotorwrench · 02-05-2019, 01:30 PM

Most 12-volt conversions either have a later type 12-volt generator or they have an alternator conversion. The larger 12-volt generator will work better with the later 8BA engines due to the larger generator mount. If it still has an original generator then it is most likely a 6-volt set up. The alternator converted generator bodies like the power gen, still look different than an OEM unit. Some are actually converted using the original generator case but you don't see that as often.

Another check would be to look at the light bulbs. They will be 12-volt types if converted and generally still have their numbers printed on.

TradModelA · 02-05-2019, 03:53 PM

Thanks guys

19Fordy · 02-05-2019, 04:15 PM

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Check the light bulbs with a 6V dry cell.

34pickup · 02-05-2019, 06:54 PM

Coils are marked a lot of times 6 or 12 volt too.

rotorwrench · 02-05-2019, 07:55 PM

Coils were marked after the 12-volt era had set in pretty well. Back in the 6-volt era, there was no need to differentiate. The coils used in the late 50s where 12-volt had taken over were the same as the older 6-volt coils but they used a ballast resistor to control the amperage going to it.

The 1941 cars still had the old helmet type distributor on the front of the engine. These types had the coil mounted to the top of the distributor. Some may have been converted to crab type distributor or converted to a separate can type coil set up. There has been a lot of water under the bridge since then. It could even have an 8BA engine in there for all we know.

chap52 · 02-06-2019, 07:38 AM

Bulbs should be marked.

cas3 · 02-06-2019, 02:39 PM

positive bat cable has a big hole, neg has a small hole. see which one is grounded for that part of the puzzle.

02-05-2019, 12:06 PM	#1
TradModelA Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 99	12v or 6v ? Hello how can I tell if the car has been converted to 12v or not? I got a 41 Ford with little information about it and no battery in it. Also if it is still 6v, is it a positive ground system? Thanks

02-05-2019, 12:50 PM	#2
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,553	Re: 12v or 6v ? Look at the voltage regulator for numbers, originally + ground

02-05-2019, 12:50 PM	#3
TJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napa,California Posts: 6,561	Re: 12v or 6v ? Check the generator regulator. The are marked 6 volt or 12 volt.

02-05-2019, 01:30 PM	#4
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 17,405	Re: 12v or 6v ? Most 12-volt conversions either have a later type 12-volt generator or they have an alternator conversion. The larger 12-volt generator will work better with the later 8BA engines due to the larger generator mount. If it still has an original generator then it is most likely a 6-volt set up. The alternator converted generator bodies like the power gen, still look different than an OEM unit. Some are actually converted using the original generator case but you don't see that as often. Another check would be to look at the light bulbs. They will be 12-volt types if converted and generally still have their numbers printed on.

02-05-2019, 03:53 PM	#5
TradModelA Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 99	Re: 12v or 6v ? Thanks guys

02-05-2019, 04:15 PM	#6
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 11,603	Re: 12v or 6v ? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Check the light bulbs with a 6V dry cell.

02-05-2019, 06:54 PM	#7
34pickup Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Huntsville Al Posts: 1,549	Re: 12v or 6v ? Coils are marked a lot of times 6 or 12 volt too. __________________ Matt 24:36-41

02-05-2019, 07:55 PM	#8
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 17,405	Re: 12v or 6v ? Coils were marked after the 12-volt era had set in pretty well. Back in the 6-volt era, there was no need to differentiate. The coils used in the late 50s where 12-volt had taken over were the same as the older 6-volt coils but they used a ballast resistor to control the amperage going to it. The 1941 cars still had the old helmet type distributor on the front of the engine. These types had the coil mounted to the top of the distributor. Some may have been converted to crab type distributor or converted to a separate can type coil set up. There has been a lot of water under the bridge since then. It could even have an 8BA engine in there for all we know.

02-06-2019, 07:38 AM	#9
chap52 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Marana Arizona Posts: 1,829	Re: 12v or 6v ? Bulbs should be marked.

02-06-2019, 02:39 PM	#10
cas3 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Beverly Kansas Posts: 5,296	Re: 12v or 6v ? positive bat cable has a big hole, neg has a small hole. see which one is grounded for that part of the puzzle.