convert 36 ford to 12 v

G

gordon hancock

Junior Member
I am trying to get my 1936 ford started after being in outside storage for 8 years. It needs a battery, I cannot buy an original 6 v battery without modifying the battery box. Should I convert to 12v and how much of a job is it to do so? I want to make the car a daily driver, not a show car.
 
My 33 is a daily driver its 6v,get an optima battery,fix the ign and it will start on the first turn of the engine every time hot or cold.
Lawrie
 
I spoke to a seller of the optmia battery. They told me they make an 8v replacement not 6v and I would have to modify the battery holder, the optmia is 1 inch higher than the original. I would also have to make changes to the charging system, gauges and lights. Does anyone know where I can get the correct original battery or an optima 6v replacement that fits correctly?
 
Personally I'd go with optima 6 volt - no need for 8 volt
 

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I have an Optima 6Volt. Try Speedway or Summit. They have the Optima 6volt. No need to change to 8V or 12V; 6 volt works fine if all is in order.
 

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Optima 6 volt works great it is a lot easer to make a frame inside the existing battery location that allows the battery to hang down lower. I even think that there is someone making them but I do not know the the name
 
Switching to 12v is not a big deal as the wiring will handle it, however, you will need to put a voltage reducer to accommodate for the increase in voltage. Ford did this well into the 80's. Your choice.
 
The Optima 6V fits in the engine compartment nicely since it is narrow. Why put it under the floor where its hard to get to?
 
I bought a plain vanilla battery at Tractor Supply, what part of the country do you live in?, it will help us find you a battery store.
 
I purchased a 6-volt battery at Batteries Plus - they had them in stock at the local store. Fits my 32 fine and works just fine.

Dale
 
Go with the 6 volt Optima...it's also too tall to fit upright without modifying the battery box (must lower middle section between stock brackets), but it has a gel electrolyte and thus can be tipped to fit. I didn't want to tip mine, so I fabricated a lowered bottom for the battery box (easy to do), so mine fits upright. Plenty of cranking power with the Optima 6v, and a lot less work than converting to 12v. But others swear by 12v, so this is just my opinion, based on my experience.
 
Speaking of vanilla batteries, never bought a 6v but while back out of curiosity asked Sears and they told me they sell 6v batt's for cars .... must order.
 
The original battery holder is under the driver side floor board. A replacement battery would have to be about 7" high no higher or it will not fit under the floor. I don't want to put the battery on the fire wall, I would like to keep the car as original as possible.
 
I just bought a '37 Fordor touring sedan about two months ago. It has a new Duracell Ultra, 6-volt battery in it that starts her up on the first revolution. It is a Group 1 and puts out 640 cold cranking amps at 0 degrees Fahrenheit. It fits in the box good and was purchased at Batteries Plus. Part No. SLI1. It also looks like an old-time battery.

BTW...As you can see this is my first post here. Thanks to all the members for the wisdom and advise you guys have. I've been reading and learning lot on here. This is my first flathead V-8 and appreciate the knowledge gained.
 
If you stick with 6v, go with Optima. Before there ever was an Optima battery, it seems the only 6v batteries I came across were junk. They only lasted about 2 years and was the reason I went to 12v on my 36. Terry
 
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