Hey anyone know where I can get a 8 volt battery from a name brand company,I called NAPA,PEPBOYS,and AUTOZONE ,and they all said no.

 

Are you sure you don't need a 6 volt battery?

 

No,I have the 6 volt battery,but I was told that a 8 volt battery will spin the motor over faster ,which would make it easier to start,and it wouldnt hurt the wiring being a 8 volt battery!

thanks for the reply yo Bill

 

8 volt batteries are available at a lot of farm supply stores. A popular use for them was in farm tractors where they would turn the regulator up to keep them charged and help old tractors start easier. I saw one in a Ford 8N tractor about a week ago.

 

We'll for what its worth to you, believe me the last thing you want is an 8 volt. I've been there and they are a pain i the butt, first you have to set your regulator to push out 9.2 volts, instead of the 7.2 that it was dessigned for. Your generator now works harder trying to keep up with the demand, therefore requiring more problems. Points are another problem, and on and on the fun never stops.
The cure to your problem is makeing sure that you have the correct battery cables. Not the 12 volt type that you buy off the shelf at the local auto parts store. I myself use and make my own from welding cable size 0/1 guage cable soldered into the battery terminals.
Make sure that all of your connections are clean and snug, from the battery to solonoid, to starter, to block, and you shouldn't have a problem. Also check to make sure that your starter is in good operating condition. Finally a good 6 volt battery, I buy mine at the local Tractor Supply Outlet, and use the 925 cranking amp one. There a good battery, just give it a thought for a moment, these trucks started in the past when new, back when we used to get cold winters. I am speaking from expierence on this one, anyway best of luck in your choice.

 

Hey thanks five star,I have been checking around,and I have decided to stay with a 6 volt battery.

thanks again Bill B

 

If you ever decide to go to 12 volts, Powermastermotorsports makes an alternator that looks just like a generator that fits a flathead.

 

We use a 6 volt in the model T and it cranks and starts fine.
Also, an 8volt system will burn out your headlights faster, just thought I'd chime in a bit extra incase anyone else was thinking of going 8volt.

 

thanks guys for the help,someday I do want to change to a 12 volt system!

yo Bill

 

There is probably some out there that will disagree, but the 6 volt starter has heaver windings because of higher amps and will stand up to 12 volts. It will spin the engine over much faster, so all you have to do is install 12 volt lights, a voltage splitter for the gauges and off you go.

 

I have a 46 Ford truck that is completly orriginal. It sleeps in the barn all winter. I also have a 1951 Farmall tractor that I plow snow with. It sleeps in my garage but it still needs all the help it can get when it is below zero. I simply installed a second 6 volt battey. I built an extra battery box and connected the batterys positive to positive. Like 5 Star posted, keep ALL of the connections clean and tight and get the biggest battery that you can find along with extra heavy cables. You shouldnt have any problems. (Note: Running a six volt system with 12 volt cables is like hooking a garden hose to a fire truck.) Good luck.

 

Dan, that has to be one of the best ones that I have heard yet, and if you don't mind I am going to use that when explaining it to others. I'm still sitting here laughing at your description of the 12 volt cables, being like hooking a garden hose up to a Fire Truck.
You have a way with the words, quite a talent, and your absolutely right.

 

The cables thing brings up a very good point. 6 volt systems use heavier wiring that 12 volts systems due to the fact that they carry twice that amps that a 12 volt system does. That is why when we talk about converting to 12 volts it is generally fine to leave the stock 6 volt wiring harnesses, assuming they are in good servicible shape.

loholland, there are still a couple things needed to complete a 12 volt change. You can leave the starter, I did in my '46 when I converted it. In addition to all new bulbs, and resistors for the gauges, you will also need a 12 volt generator (or alternator), 12 V starter solenoid, 12V voltage regulator, and 12 V coil.

A 6 volt starter will work fine with 12 volts, though they have a slightly shorter, yet hardly noticible service life. And yes, they spin much better and will crank up an engine in all types of weather.

 

Gary, on your above post of converting to 12 volt. There is one thing that I am not to sure you are right on, and that is the coil.
When I got my 51 Merc a few years back I ran it for about 2 months, and decided it needed a valve job. so I did an in frame quickie one.
Takeing off all the necessary parts to do the above, one was a 12 volt coil, and it ran on the 6 volt system. I replaced it with a 6 volt one and no difference, so with this I don't think that this piece in fact does make any difference.
On another note with same voltage both 6 & 12, apparently there is a car that comes equiped with an electric cooling fan that will run on either, of the 2.
Also many car clocks not all, will do the same, as they only have the coil & points.

 

Right, the thing about the coil is true, however, it is generally accepted that while a 6 volt will operate in the 12 volt environment, it may not provide optimal performance.