I need fire!

Leave everything the same as it now is (6 volt). Everything will work the same as it does now. What we're going to do is to add a second battery that will be 12 volt
and will be used for the starter only. This battery will be a 'total loss' battery in that it will not receive any charge from the car and must be charged from an external
source. Connect the postive post of the 12V battery to ground (the car's frame is good) using a battery cable. Pick up a 12V solenoid (like what's on a Ford Falcon) and
a starter button that does not go to ground. We want to feed through the starter button to the solenoid... not have a grounded starter button system. The 12V solenoid
bolt flange has to be grounded so bolt the solenoid to the car's frame. Next run a 12V battery cable from the negative post of the 12V battery to the solenoid. Install the
new 12V starter button in the dash. I locate it in under the lip of the dash somewhere near the dash's middle to keep from getting it confused with the 6V button. You
sure don't want to run both at the same time!!! Now run two 16 gauge wires from the 12V solenoid to the new 12V starter button. One will go from the same terminal
as the incoming 12V cable from the battery (this is the 12V source) to one terminal on the 12V starter button. The other 16 gauge wire will go from the small threaded
terminal of the solenoid (left side as you look at it) to the other terminal on the 12V starter button. All that's left is to run a 12V battery cable from the other large
terminal on the 12V solenoid to the starter. This will go directly on top of the existing 6 volt cable at the starter itself. Now you can start it with 6V or 12V. I use 6V all
the time unless it hesitates. Then I hit the 12V. What's neat is that the entire 6V is going to the distributor and none is going to crank the engine. Consequently the
ignition spark is hotter and will start easier. If you're 6V goes dead, but you're running a 6V generator, you can start the engine using 12V since the generator will charge
enough at cranking speed to fire the distributor. I've found that I only have to charge my 12V once a year on an overnight trickle charge. If you're a purist you can hide
the 12V battery behind your spare or remove it for judging. If I didn't explain this enough, please tell me and I'll do better.

• MY classic car 6 and 12v battery