1955 is it 6v or 12v

[mrfeez]

Have 55 Bird, no engine or trans in vehicle, needs 90% restoration, how can i tell if it is 6v or 12v, lights are no good. ?

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[jimntempe]

Does it still have a voltage regulator installed under the hood?

 

[cokefirst]

Depending on how much of your car is missing, you may not be able to know. If the voltage regulator is there, that may be a clue. It may be marked with the voltage. Is the battery tray there? How about the radio, is it there? If you want to convert to 12 volts, there are ways of doing that, I am not a fan of 6-12 volt conversions on most cars.

 

[55blacktie]

Autolite batteries are no longer available; however, a Group 56 12v battery will fit the 55 battery box. You can also get a 12v battery that looks like the original 55 6v from Tbird suppliers, but they aren't cheap.

 

[Critterpainer]

If it has a 4post starter solenoid then its been converted.

 

[doug7740]

Have 55 Bird, no engine or trans in vehicle, needs 90% restoration, how can i tell if it is 6v or 12v, lights are no good. ?

Are the battery cables #1 gauge or #4 gauge?

1955 model Thunderbirds originally had a 6 volt electrical system. When they were new and all the electrical connections were new, clean and tight they started and ran very well. The cables positive and ground were large # 1 gauge and would carry enough amperage (volume of current) to always start and deliver peak performance.

Starting with the 1956 models all Thunderbirds and other Ford vehicles had a 12 volt system. Due to the voltage being doubled the size of the battery cables could be reduced to # 4 gauge without the loss of amperage to the starter and other components.

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue