[67Elcamino]

I was wondering how much work and an estimate cost of changing a completely stock 6 volt system to a 12 volt on a car like this?
Any ideas or recommendations greatly appreciated

[JeffB]

Most shops would probably charge $60-$80 an hour labor,it's not really that bad to do it your self with a kit http://rebelwire.com/rebel-wire-prod...at=Wire%20Kits the 9+3 will give you all the circuits you need plus, I know guys that have done their own in 6-8 hours with no prior experience.The Techs at Rebel Wire are as near as your phone if you run into a problem too.Give this a read for some good basic info: http://reviews.ebay.com/6-to-12-Volt...00000001571127

[LOWMERC]

If your old wires are good thought the car just change to 12 volt bulbs and use voltage drop resistors and runtzs resistors for your gauges and heater fan motor and your radio and clock. That 6V wire is heavy enough to handle 12V. Speedway motors use to sell a book that told all about the changing from 6V to 12V contact them and ask about the book, I believe that it sold for under $10.00 I hope this helps.

lowmerc

[JeffB]

While it's true the 6 volt wires can handle the load many of the older cars used cloth wrapped insulation and over time it just rots away and falls off and the exposed wires leave you open to all kinds of problems with shorts and grounds,so look it over carefully.This is an article you should read as well http://www.watsons-streetworks.com/current_topic.html Adding relays is inexpensive and very worthwhile,I made use of Doc Vettes advice (Our Hotrodders.com Legend) when I did my rewire and it really paid off.

[LOWMERC]

Originally Posted by JeffB

While it's true the 6 volt wires can handle the load many of the older cars used cloth wrapped insulation and over time it just rots away and falls off and the exposed wires leave you open to all kinds of problems with shorts and grounds,so look it over carefully.This is an article you should read as well http://www.watsons-streetworks.com/current_topic.html Adding relays is inexpensive and very worthwhile,I made use of Doc Vettes advice (Our Hotrodders.com Legend) when I did my rewire and it really paid off.

JeffB, I forgott to mention in my reply, that shrink wrap should be used over the old wires, when I did my merc, I replaced all the connectors with new ones, and used the shrink wrap over the wires, I have not priced the shrink wrap but it is pertty cheap

lowmerc

[LOWMERC]

Sorry that I forgot to mention that I used shrink warp over all of the wires along with new connector's on the wires, shrink wrap is not very expensive, really cheaper than a new wire harness. Hope this helps you out.

lowmerc