Who needs 12v

[Peter Roberts]

Completed a full restoration on my SC about 12 months ago. I had always had problems with the sluggish starter which left me wondering if i should upgrade tp 12v. Enquiring on the forum the advice was if its set up correctly 6v is perfectly adequate as Porsche intended.
So as part of the resto the starter was rebuilt as was the dynamo. In addition i double earth strapped the starter motor to the bodywork and double bolted the battery earth lead using a copper strip. I also fitted a Rally style battery master switch as an antitheft device and a way of ensuring no battery drain whilst not being used. As a result my starting problems disappeared and the starter flies over.
For reasons i cannot understand i have not used the car for the last 3 months but today i wanted to take it out for a blast. To my astonishment once the float bolts were full it fired up like a good un. The only concession i made was to fit LED headlights to improve night time visibility.
So if you are contemplating the very expensive conversion to 12v think again. Just do everything you can to ensure the existing 6v electrics are set up right, particularly a good earth, and you should not have any problems.

[Peter Roberts]

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Trying to upload pics of the car but does not seem to work but uploading anyway

[Ashley James]

Agreed! I’ve done the same but with a high torque starter. I’m jealous of you LED headlights, last time I asked they were not available, but I’m sure they’ll turn up eventually.

[Disco]

Ashley,

Do a LED word search on my ‘ID’ - I found a place that did the LED bulbs for a 356, 6v - not too expensive at all actually!

( Tbf, the headlights were the pretty much the most expensive bulbs of the lot … )

[Peter Roberts]

Got mine from www.classiccarleds.co.uk. Think the cost was about £80.00. They came in a lovely presentation box with all items you might need to fit however for my lights they just fitted straight in. Instructions come with them but i did need to call them about something and they were extremely helpful.

[jb]

Trying to upload pics of the car but does not seem to work but uploading anyway

There you go

[Peter Roberts]

Just wish I was younger so more tech savi. But then I would not be able to afford my collection of cars so I will settle for my collection. Having said that they are all going up for sale EXCEPT the 356

[Hugo 356]

Glad you are keeping the 6v faith, though I can't help feeling you are losing the frisson of dazzlement when this guy comes in the opposite direction

[Peter Roberts]

That was me before i upgraded tp LED

[roy mawbey]

Peter,

It is great when the 6v electrics work well on old 356 cars. It is important those earths are perfect and the starter and its solinoid in great shape too. I find the carb bowls do dry out and after a few weeks the starter does have to work to re-fill them and once you hear the engine trying to fire only then put your foot on the accelerator and give it 5 presses to squirt some petrol down the venturi's to help it start.

Good idea to keep the 356 it looks nice too!

Roy