356 question - voltage

[tcar]

I asked at the 356 forum, but no one was there to hear me.


I was told that some of the later 356C's came new with 12V, concurrent with the 'new' 911.

Does anyone know?

I did a search (on 356 forum), but found nothing substantial (can't search for 12V, but did 12 Volt).

Thanks.

[Nostril Cheese]

I'm pretty sure that 12v was only an option on the '65 C.

It should have a sticker saying 12v near the fuse box.

[ljowdy]

Along with a 12 volt system, the 1965 356 came with an electronic tachometer to replace the cable driven tachometer

[curiousone940]

Nothing against the pelican folks, but if you need 356 info, go to "356registry.com" and someone there will answer every question you can imagine about these years of Porsche. I go there for my 356 "issues" and to Pelican for my 911 questions. Good luck

[Joe Bob]

Watch out for the attitude on the 356 registry. The don't suffer newbies.....bunch of crotchety old men.....

The 356 can and has been converted to 12 volt by POs, the 65 MY, it was an option from the factory. When 6v is clean and working right it's perfectly fine starting, running and the lights are bright and clear.

[Grady Clay]

All the Carrera 2s were 12 V from ’62.
My 1960 RS-60 718-055 was 12 V.

There is a lot of controversy about which pushrod 356 were original 12 V.
Watch out.

My feeling is it doesn’t matter.
If I have a semi-daily 356 (even pre-A), it would be converted to 12 V.
Show originality is different.

Best,
Grady

[1982911SCTarga]

Watch out for the attitude on the 356 registry. They don't suffer newbies.....bunch of crotchety old men.....

Are they still angry about the introduction of the "new" 900 series cars?

Brian

[tcar]

Originally Posted by 1982911SCTarga

Are they still angry about the introduction of the "new" 900 series cars?

Brian

Angry?

worse... they've been betrayed, stabbed in the back, kicked to the curb and dammit, just not appreciated.

It gets worse; Ferry was on board as part of the insult.

[Marc Bixen]

Wow someone woke up on the wrong side of the garage creeper. I've found newbies are well accepted on the 356 Registry site, but I'll make sure they see your post. You know 356ers have a great sense of humor.
As for the original question, there were some late production 356's that came from the factory with 12V systems. Properly converting a 6 volt car is a major job requiring (this is a short list) new battery, starter, FLYWHEEL, windshield wiper motor, all light bulbs, generator and voltage regulator. Not a small task and pretty expensive. A properly maintained 6V system has no faults besides the headlights aren't as bright, and as a matter of fact the 6V battery will crank considerably longer then a 12V of the same size.
If there's no 12V sticker on the fuse box easy ID is look at the battery, 3 caps = 6V, 6caps= 12v.
By the way, a proper conversion today can cost upwards of $2,000-3,000, the option in 1965.....$12.00.

[I960ROADSTER]

Talk about laughing out loud. You guys here on Pelican don't really know us. Do you? 356 Registry members are very nice and helpful to newbies. If you had a bad experience before, maybe there was a reason for it.



Just a couple of pictures to show we are still young enough to work on them.

michaelb

[mpribanic]

tcar,

Unfortunately, I don't know the answer to your question. I'm surprised you didn't find the answer on the 356 Registry forum.

MikeZ,

As far as the Registry and Noobs is concerned I disagree. The most popular thread is from a 356 Noob:

356Talk :: View topic - New to the Registry-Building two A's

I'm on several forums and the only difference on the 356 Registry forum is that the average age of the membrs may be a little older. You need thick skin on most forums these days. 356Registry, thesamba etc.. Hope we see you back over on the Registry site one day. I remember you restored an 'A' coupe a short while ago.

All the best,

Mark Pribanic
356 moderator

[Marc Bixen]

To the original post TCAR,
By the way the only way to truly know if a 356 was originaly a 12V car is toeither see the original bill of sale documents Or to see a copy of the Porsche Kardex. The Kardex is a Factory supplied "birth certificate" for any Porsche built. You submit the vehicle VIN # and Porsche sends you a Kardex which has all information Porsche has on that car, original colors, engine and trans numbers, Option list, dealer the car was delivered through etc. Sometimes on early cars there is limited information but any late 356's should be pretty thorough. These are also available for new cars and adds to the resale value of vintage cars. They do charge for this service but it's worth having. You can find info in Panorama magazine or at Porsche.com

[Rot 911]

Originally Posted by Marc Bixen

Properly converting a 6 volt car is a major job requiring (this is a short list) new battery, starter, FLYWHEEL, windshield wiper motor, all light bulbs, generator and voltage regulator.

Just curious, why would you have to change out the flywheel? Because the 12v starter gear won't mate up?

[Marc Bixen]

Yes, different number of teeth. I'm not sure what the exact numbers are but 12V has more,smaller, teeth. Some people leave the flywheel and have the starter re-wound to 12V, but the problem with that is if you need a starter down the road or the "next" owner isn't aware of the starter being re-wound you could be in a pickle.

[1982911SCTarga]

Originally Posted by tcar

Angry?

worse... they've been betrayed, stabbed in the back, kicked to the curb and dammit, just not appreciated.

It gets worse; Ferry was on board as part of the insult

Too funny. I haven't gotten over the 1989 body re-styling.

Someday, someone might say, "You know, those '65-'89 owners are a bunch of crotchety old men ... "

Brian

[I960ROADSTER]

Marc, new starter gears are available for 12v starters to match the 109 tooth flywheel. 12v flywheels have 124 teeth or close to that number. And a 912 12v flywheel won't work in a 356 trannie. there are very few 12 volt 356 flywheels available.
new battery, starter gear, windshield wiper motor, all light bulbs, generator and voltage regulator are definitely needed.
michaelb

[ljowdy]

Surprisingly, the 6V starter can be operated on using 12 volts. Back when I was building hot rod VW engines, I'd run an early bus 200 mm 6 volt flywheel using a 6 volt starter on a 12 volt system.

Just don't lay on the starter for extended periods of time.

Worked great as it spun the engine much faster and with a high compression engine, it started almost instantly. With a low compression you just had to look at the key and the engine would start (well not really but close)

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by Marc Bixen

Properly converting a 6 volt car is a major job requiring (this is a short list) new battery, starter, FLYWHEEL, windshield wiper motor, all light bulbs, generator and voltage regulator. Not a small task and pretty expensive.
By the way, a proper conversion today can cost upwards of $2,000-3,000, the option in 1965.....$12.00.

I (apparently improperly) converted my 56 coupe 30 years/100,000 miles ago. I changed the battery, all the bulbs, coil, the voltage regulator & generator, and made up a voltage regulator for the wiper motor. Six volt starter, flywheel, & wiper motor work fine. No electrical issues in 30 years.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by Marc Bixen

Yes, different number of teeth. I'm not sure what the exact numbers are but 12V has more,smaller, teeth. Some people leave the flywheel and have the starter re-wound to 12V, but the problem with that is if you need a starter down the road or the "next" owner isn't aware of the starter being re-wound you could be in a pickle.

There is no need to change the starter, solenoid, or the flywheel. The 6 volt starter spins the engine over rather briskly when you zap it with 12 volts, but it doesn't hurt it as long as the engine is in tune and starts within a few seconds.

[Les Paul]

You don't have to change the wiper motor either. I don't try to drive the 356 in the rain much but have used the wipers numerous times in the 19 years since I went to 12 volts.
mine is still working without a converter