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I have a 1952 chevy 1/2 ton that I have been working on. The engine is just about ready to fire up, just need to rebuild the carb and change the fuel line. I eventually want to swap the original 216 engine for a 350. My question is, should I convert the current 216 to 12 volt now, or use the 6 volt system for now and wait until I change engines to do the conversion?
IF you have plans to change the engine, why add the components to change it over now.....the new 12 volt generator is unuseable on the 350 so you are spending money. And, your plans may change before the 350 swap is made. If it runs OK after your carb rebuild is done, leave it 6VDC.....quicker onto the road that way.
If it works don't fix it !
However, if you change over to something that is 12 volt then that would be the time.
I personally don't think that it's worth the money, time and effort to change it now.
My first car had a 216 Blue Flame with a vacum shift - - - - I beat it to death, literally.