pos or neg ground?
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More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2012
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pos or neg ground?
This may be a silly question, but is there an easy way to tell if my truck is positive or negative ground? The battery has been disconnected so I can't just check the original connections. 226 flathead 6 1950 F4
I'll have the Roast Duck
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,622
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From: Northshore, MN
Stock would be 6v pos ground. One way to tell is by determining if it has a generator or alternator. Typically if it's a generator, odds are it was never "modified" to 12v neg ground and alternator. generator will probably be as dirty and old looking as the engine itself. This would typically be the quickest way to tell.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
Another possible way, but this isn't a guarantee, is the color of the battery cables, if you still have them on the ground to the engine and to the starter solenoid. Red going to the engine ground is positive, black going to the starter solenoid is negative. Most likely the ground is a bare conductor strap without insulation. Over the last 60+ years the cables probably were changed out and whatever was available was used.
Once you get the battery reconnected you will probably have to repolarize the regulator. Do a search of FTE to find all of the posts dealing with polarizing the regulator.
Once you get the battery reconnected you will probably have to repolarize the regulator. Do a search of FTE to find all of the posts dealing with polarizing the regulator.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: East KY
Look at the coil. If the positive terminal of the coil is connected to the distributor wire, it's PROBABLY still 6 volt positive ground. Also a lack of voltage regulators and all that jazz under the hood and under the dash would speak for it still being 6 volt.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: u-rah-rah Wisconsin
Not sure you meant this. The stock 6v setup has a firewall mounted voltage regulator.
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More Turbo
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It has a 12v battery. Then it goes to a ballast resistor to get the 6v. I do not know which parts have been converted to 12v. I am definitely going to have to rewire it. I was wondering if I was turning the engine over backwards if I have the wrong side as ground.
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More Turbo
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It has solenoid and voltage regulator on the firewall. Again, I do not know how much was changed over the years.
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Hotshot
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
No matter which polarity your truck is set up with the starter will spin only one direction. I had my F-2 running on 12 volt negative ground for a while way back. 12 volt won't hurt the starter either as long as you don't crank away on it for extended periods of time.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
The voltage regulators I think Doc is referring to are voltage drop resistors they have to be installed in line before items like heater motor and gauges. Most likely the dash, headlight and taillight bulbs were switched to 12 volt bulbs, it's the easiest way to go with light bulbs.
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