6 volt heater in a 12 volt system

50fordcoupeman

50fordcoupeman

Well-known member
I have a 50 Ford coupe with a '77 Ford 302, 12v system of course. Can I safely run the 6v heater motor? In a search of this forum, I get both answers of yes and no and even some suggest a voltage reducer is a fire hazard. What experiences do you Barners have or suggestions to make?
Thanks from Oregon:).
 
You can get a 12 volt universal replacement motor, but to make it work, you need to make your own round mounting plate and drill all the holes to mate with the replacement motor. It might be single speed only and allow for clockwise or counterclockwise rotation, so you need to make sure the wiring connections lend the proper rotation.
 

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Thank you guys for the input!! Yesterday I got it rewired and let it run for a half hour. Neither the motor nor the wires got too warm on 12v so I am home free. Today will try getting the control cables hooked up as they were all unhooked but at least I have them and they all work!! Thanks again.
 
I've heard of 6 to 12 volt conversions in which the original 6 volt starter was retained. For the relatively short period of time the starter motor was engaged no damage was done; the starter motor turned over much faster than before. (duh!)
 
The starter motor itself doesn't seem to care much but a 6v starter on 12v makes the bendix hit harder, eventually damaging it or the ring gear.
 
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I ran my wagon on the 6 volt starter after the 12 volt change over no problems I don't see a problem other then as stated spinning faster the 6 volt system has heavier wiring so it shouldn't overheat just my opinion I'm sure some will disagree
 
Many years ago, in the dim early 1970's, a girl I was dating had a '52 Chevvy as her Daily Driver. Her darn good driveway mechanic/Delta airlines A&P mechanic Father had converted it to 12 volts, leaving the 6 volt starter in place.

She and I saw each other (off and on) for about 3 years. Often we took her Chevvy on dates. When hot that stovebolt six would need quite a bit of cranking to get it to start and stay running. I loved how fast the starter spinned over!

IDK how old the starter was. I do know it was never changed out during the 3 years I was seeing her.
 
Thank you for your story. I love to hear what folks did back in our youth just to make things work better or at all sometimes!!!
 
Your question is answered/solved, but I've been through that. I converted a '50 to 12 volt back in the '70s. No started problems at all. The heater blower (or some wiring) seemed to smell after very much run time. However, it blew hard and helped warm the cabin. When putting a 6 volt reducer on the motor, it ran at a slower speed than when the car was originally all 6 volt and I would freeze. A 12 volt fan from a late 50s Ford would have probably mounted right up with no issues, but I wasn't that smart then. Not sure I'm much smarter now.
 
50fordcoupeman said:
Thank you for your story. I love to hear what folks did back in our youth just to make things work better or at all sometimes!!!
Click to expand...

At age 61 I have gone from being uninformed to somewhat experienced to knowledgeable to entertaining for the younger generation.

IDK which life position I am more proud of.


:p
 
50fordcoupeman said:
Thank you for your story. I love to hear what folks did back in our youth just to make things work better or at all sometimes!!!
Click to expand...
You shouldn't have said that, now you'll get more stories. :rolleyes:
At least this one is 6v / 12v related.

In a previous lifetime (before marriage) I used to have an off-road race car with a 6v starter running on a 12v system, done on purpose because it spins the engine much faster.
I got the ignition wet in a small river crossing one day and it quit. Sitting in water up to my waist I put the trans in gear, hit the starter button and drove the car out just on the starter. Pulled up on the bank, dried the inside of the dist cap with my shirt sleeve, fired the engine and zoomed away. Came in second place anyway.
The same starter was in the car for at least 4 yrs after that.
.
 
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