BUICK RACER Posted January 27, 2001 Share Posted January 27, 2001 A 1956 is already 12 volts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad54 Posted January 28, 2001 Share Posted January 28, 2001 Yup, he's right--the '56 is already a 12 volt system. I had the same thoughts when I bought my '54, and it was already a 12 volt, too. What might be throwing you is that it's a generator system, rather than a modern-style alternator charging system.<BR>There's really nothing too bad about having a generator. I've got A/C on mine, and it keeps up just fine.<BR>If you elect to stick with the generator, here are a couple of tips I've learned along the way:<BR>Shop around and have it rebuilt by a reputable shop. I paid one guy $65 for what turned out to be a re-paint, new bearing and brushes. I found a little mom&pop shop that put in brand new windings, etc. and did a true rebuild for $35 after the first rebuild burned out.<BR>A good shop can "beef" them up a bit.<BR>From the factory, there were heavy duty generators that put out a little more power. These were found on factory A/C cars, cars with lots of power accessories, ambulances, trucks, etc. <BR>Our generators are the same as those found on '55-57 Chevys (except Power Steering). Classic Chevy International used to offer a generator rebuild kit (1-800-456-1957 for info)<BR>Finally, if you don't already have one, get yourself a factory shop manual. Honestly, you should never own an old car and not have the manual for it. By and large, local service centers are useless as far as we're concerned, so we're on our own. A factory manual, and a Motors Repair Manual (NOT the Flat Rate Manual) from the time period will help with your diagnostics. If you can't score these at a local swap meet, call 1-800-MOTORHEAD and order their Vintage Parts Locator for Buicks--it's a national directory of everyone who sells anything Buick related, including literature. These three manuals will answer almost all your questions, and they're worth every penny.<BR>Good Luck!<BR>-Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BUICK RACER Posted January 28, 2001 Author Share Posted January 28, 2001 Here's a shop manual for you on ebay! <A HREF="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/ebayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=546706177&r=0&t=0" TARGET=_blank>http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/ebayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=546706177&r=0&t=0</A> <P>------------------<BR>Roberta<BR>BCA TREASURER 2000-2001<BR>BCA PRESIDENT 1998-2000<BR>BCA VICE PRESIDENT 1997-1998<BR>WEBMASTER<BR>Director-Michigan Chapter- Gran Sport Club of America 1989-Present<BR>http://www.geocities.com/buickracer<BR>1956 Special 2 door Sedan<BR>1966 Wildcats<BR>1968 GS-400 Convertible 4-speed<BR>1970 GSX Stage 1<BR>1970 Skylark Racecar - 11.26, 118 MPH, 7/22/00<BR>1986 GN, 4800 miles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 28, 2001 Share Posted January 28, 2001 Anybody know if a conversion kit is available to change from 6- to 12-colts in a 56? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 29, 2001 Share Posted January 29, 2001 Thanks, folks. I've got a shop manual already ... I should have just looked at it closer. An Olds guy has me convinced it was 6! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest John Chapman Posted January 29, 2001 Share Posted January 29, 2001 Another 'Must Have' with old cars... and even not so old cars is a multimeter. Besides the manuals, it's been the best $49 dollars I've spent so far.<P>Olds owner may have been persuasive, but the digital voltmeter function would have quickly shown you the true path....<P>Cheers,<BR>John<P>------------------<BR>John Chapman<BR>BCA 35894<BR>1965 Skylark Convertible (Some Assembly Required)<BR> jmchapman@aol.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad54 Posted January 29, 2001 Share Posted January 29, 2001 Yes, '54 was the change over year--first year it was standard.<BR>As for the volt meter, Craftsman has an excellent digital model in a hard plastic case for something like $30.00. I keep one in the tool box I keep in the trunk. But when it comes to really convincing people what your generator puts out, it's really hard to beat the little tag riveted to the case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 30, 2001 Share Posted January 30, 2001 My 55 is a 12 volt car...I believe 54 was the changeover yr for Buick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 30, 2001 Share Posted January 30, 2001 Volt meter is a great idea, too, and I have one. The car, however is covered in three-feet of snow. Maybe I should have just waited until I could get under the hood before I came 'a posting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest John Chapman Posted January 30, 2001 Share Posted January 30, 2001 Nah, move to Southern California....<BR>We have 3 feet of snow and you can see it on the mountains while sitting on the beach. In January. Three feet of snow on the mountains is much better than on a Buick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 31, 2001 Share Posted January 31, 2001 yeah, but then you have to live in california <P>(i can hear the song now... learn to swim, learn to swim, in arizona bay)<BR><P>------------------<BR>allan<BR>--------------<BR>50 special, 455/th400<BR>64 stude gt hawk, 289/auto<BR>76 poncho GP, 400/th400 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest John Chapman Posted February 1, 2001 Share Posted February 1, 2001 earthquakes....! <BR>fire....! <BR>power blackouts....! <BR>rain...! <BR>floods....!<BR>taxes....!<BR>road rage....!<BR>Don't come! Please! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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