Just picked up a 1953 dodge cornet. Would anyone out there happen to have a wiring diagram. The motor truns over but need to know what wires hooked up to the coil on the original 6 volt system. Also has the original 241 hemi.
original is 6 volt positive ground, from the switch it should go to the - side of coil and + side goes to distributor. Search this site for more great info on that car. http://p15-d24.com/discover/
Don't have one handy for a 53 Dodge but here is one for a 1950 Chrysler. Should be similar, as both used the same 6v - ground system and electrically controlled transmission if it is the semi automatic.
To get it running all you need is a wire from the battery to the coil + from the battery+. If you have a wire with a couple of alligator clips it's easy. To shut off just disconnect the wire from the battery.
So, there should be one wire from key switch to coil and one from coil to distributor. That's it. If key not working a jumper to coil will do.
I got it to turn over and finally got spark but my battery died. What would it take to switch to a 12v system.
nice solid looking car! and a V-8 too. check out this wiring diagram on D25 site: http://p15-d24.com/topic/43605-12-volt-conversion-wiring-diagram/
you can use a 12 volt battery to start it, do not turn on any accessories like radio, lights, wipers etc ... Just the starter and ignition off the 12 volt battery and will not hurt anything.
POSITIVE ground, Rusty...so 'hot' wire to coil goes to the negative (-) side, + side to dist. Backwards to our conventional systems...
Still, he is correct, and I am the jackass. I should know about - ground systems having worked on so many of them. It is also correct that you can use a 12v battery to test start. Don't let it run for more than 15 minutes or the coil can overheat. As for changing to 12V it is much easier to keep the 6v system and fix whatever is wrong with it. Wait till you get it running to evaluate what the car needs.
S O when using the 12 v battery. So use the post backwards. Positive to negative of co Thanks. I boosted the 6volt battery and thew some gas in the car and it started right up. I think I might keep the 6v till I can get everything together to switch it over to 12v thanks for the help
That is best advice of the thread. I already know that I am switching mine to 12 volt negative ground. Main reason is for a old flathead 6 I need a tach for freeway. I want a radio/cd player and will plug my phone in for gps. But 6 volt is a very reliable system. No need for 12 volt just because others have it. I suggested running the hot wire from ignition to - side of coil first and your reply had me wondering if I was right .... far as I know, it would actually start and run no matter which side of coil you connect to, just not run good.
Go ahead and change it to 12v if you want to. I did a few in my younger days. Then I figured out it was a waste of time and money. Now I keep the 6v system and fix what's wrong. Easier and cheaper than changing to 12v and then fixing what was wrong in the first place.
I was surprised to see that the car still runs and everything in the car still lights up. Radio and heater work too. I just need to figure out the wiring. There are a couple of wires still hanging. I gotta find a wiring diagram. Thanks for the heads eveyonev.