12 volt conversion

mike vernon

New User
Uncles 8N front mount distributor is ready for a 12 volt conversion. A friend suggests an electronic ignition. Opinions? If I were to go all the way to a module, what would be the most economical way(ex. 12v kit has old type coil; module requires external coil and different cap. a friend can get delco alt. at discount.)Again opinions please.
 
Does it start and run as it is now? If not, then get it running before venturing into other things such as 12v & EI.
 
(quoted from post at 11:04:47 09/23/18) Uncles 8N front mount distributor is ready for a 12 volt conversion. A friend suggests an electronic ignition. Opinions? If I were to go all the way to a module, what would be the most economical way(ex. 12v kit has old type coil; module requires external coil and different cap. a friend can get delco alt. at discount.)Again opinions please.

For a front distributor engine the most economical way is with one of the basic 12V kits and additional ballast resistor to protect the 6V OEM coil - e.g Pertronix Ignitor 1247 @ $75 + the resistor.

I would also think long and hard about the Pertronix 91247 kit which is an upgrade to the Ignitor II module over the Ignitor module. The Ignitor II module provides additional fail safe logic that protects the module against accidental damage from leaving the ignition switch on. No coil or cap and it costs $140.

Regardless of the module with a little ingenuity you can gut yur OEM coil and do your own external coil conversion for another $30 or buy the Pertronix standalone coil conversion kit - e.g. Pertronix 1247XTCONN for $95.

If money is no object or you are just plain lazy get it all with the Pertronix 91247XT conversion kit that includes the cap, coil and Ignitor II module for $220

Let your wallet be your guide.

TOH
 
Ditto what JMOR said. What do you mean by, it's ready for a conversion? If it's not running right or hard to start I think you or your uncle will find that it's a lot cheaper to trouble shoot the problem and fix it.
 
I concur with what Jim & JMOR ask -does it run now? There are good reasons to convert a 6V/POS GND system to a 12V/NEG GND system, but to try it to be 'fashionable' or because somebody said it was better, or because it won't start now, is just plain foolish. If it won't start and run on 6V, what makes you think it will on 12 volts? Root cause problem solving methods are required. 12 volts are good if you need to burn brighter lights -doing a lot of night work?. Or, you need to run specific equipment that only operate on 12V like sprayers, winches, and 8-Track players, or you have a worn engine and cannot afford a tear down and rebuild as it will help start better. By adding an EI, all you are doing is eliminating the points. All else must still be kept maintained. One huge fallacy about vintage Ford 6V/POS GND systems using points, is that they are a pain to keep running and work on. I hear that from Ford guys who plainly just don't know and other make and model owners as well. The truth is, that 99.98% of all non-starting/non-running issues are due to poor, incorrectly done wiring jobs regardless if 6V or 12V. "Uncle Bubba-Joe switched it over to 12V under the shade tree last year and now it won't start or run" -is a common statement or something similar. Another fact is that many modern mechanics know nothing about 6V/POS GND systems and ultimately will tell you MUST convert it 12V. Bull shoot. If you come in contact with one of these guys ask him why and I guarantee he won't be able to answer that, then run far away. These N's were designed and engineered to work on by the common farmer, often right in the field. Parts like carbs, distributors, governors, starters. generators, water pumps, and more were made to be rebuilt over and over. You need to answer some of these questions before you go tossing your hard earned $$$ into something unknown. Your own experience as a mechanic is important as well. Do you plan on doing any work yourself or farming it out? Do you have the essential manuals? Do much more reading and researching before diving into the deep end.

FORD 8N ESSENTIAL OWNER/OPERATOR/PARTS/SERVICE MANUALS:
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Tim *PloughNman* Daley(MI)
 

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