zeppigio

Finally getting to work on, my 1950 olds 88 holiday coupe,it took along time to get it here,with all the run around I got from the tranporter.It is a 6 volt,it did not come with a battery.New 6 volt cost $120.00 or on E-BAY convert to 12 volt for $285.00 .what do you guys think??????????????

thanks

MDchanic

12 volt will be less sensitive to trouble from corrosion and poor connections, and a bit easier to get bulbs in a pinch. Also easier if you want to run a modern radio. Or GPS. Or TV. Or phone charger. Or DVD player. Or kids' video games. Or iPod. Or...

Your choice, really. If you need a battery anyway, all you need to change are the lightbulbs, blower motor, generator, and regulator (assuming you have vacuum wipers), and use a converter for the original radio if you want to use it.

If I were planning to drive it regularly, I'd probably change it over, but, remember, people drove millions of miles in these things with 6v systems and survived.

- Eric

oldcutlass

If you have a Tractor Supply or a farm and ranch supply somewhere out by you, they usually have 6v batteries on the shelf.

redoldsman

You could put an 8 volt battery in it and adjust the voltage regulator or get somebody that knows what they are doing to adjust it. If it were mine and I was going to be driving it a lot, I would change to 12 volts. Eric covered most of it above. I would use a 1 wire alternator. The wiring is fine as are the gauges. The starter will be okay but you will need to get a 54 - 56 starter solenoid.

Yellowstatue

Judging from his post, I think he is far away, as on a different continent!

oldcutlass

He's from San Jose, Ca.

Tedd Thompson

Really nothing wrong with a 6 volt system. The biggest problem people have is they use 12 volt battery cables and they won't carry quite enough juice for reliable starts.The correct cables and clean connections and a 6 volt system will run for ever and they still are....Tedd

Funkwagon455

I still run 6 volts in the coupe, just ensure the battery is good. I like to keep it preseved as much as possible. Once modified, it can be very challenging to bring it back to the factory configuration. JMO....

aliensatemybuick

12 volts are nice if you want to see / be seen at night. Heck, they are a help even seeing brake/signal lamps during the day. That's why my '47 Indian Chief was converted to 12V, originality be danged.

Funkwagon455

For clarification, from a practical standpoint, I would totally understand why one would be interested in converting. Especially if you drive your car at night. I do not drive mine at night, when I've turned on my headlights I usually say "whoa, those things are dim!!" Other obvious considerations would be supplying cranking amps to a more modern powerplant. No disrespect intended for non purists, drive it, enjoy it, share it, you will never know when you might inspire someone.

zeppigio

thanks, for all the info I really appreciate it!