⇓ Classic VW BuGs 6V to 12V Conversion Guide for Your Beetle ⇓

[@classicvwbugs]

Hey Volks! Here is a short video on upgrading your Vintage VW Beetle to 12v. I list out what you need to change, and certain things you might need to adjust in order for the upgrade to work efficiently. Parts You can order: Alternator upgrade kit: www2.cip1.com/acc-c10-5750-kt/ Voltage drop I like for my wipers: Antique Car Electronic Voltage Reducer Blower Motors or wipers 12v to 6v 10 amps www.ebay.com/itm/392033044419 356 Porsche Generator 55-65 W/Dummy Reg12V 38A Replace for the 6Volt Dynamo www.ebay.com/itm/283781603424

[@MrWill73]

Beautiful Beetle! I am converting my 66 to 12 volts now. Thanks for sharing

[@bluebug66]

Starter is 6 volt as well. If keeping the "6 volt" flywheel then 12 volts to the original 6V starter will work as long as you don't hold the starter on for a long period. It can overheat at 12 volts on the 6V armature. Preferably change the flywheel out to the "12 volt" type (diameter and teeth are changed from 6 to 12V) and use a 12 volt starter. . The transmission bell housing will need to be ground inside to clearance the larger flywheel also. I kept the 6V flywheel on my 66 and use a 12V starter with a 6v pinion gear to match the flywheel. My bell housing is clearanced but I have not seen the need to go with the larger flywheel yet.

[@davidtuley5898]

I can’t believe on how many times I have referred to your vids while working on our 68. Saved me a from a lot headaches. Thank you.

[@classicvwbugs]

Awesome 👍

[@sawdust311]

Chris - I changed my '61 bug to 12 volts. I have nothing that "appears" to be 6 volt anywhere in the car. I overcame the clearance problem in the transmission case by having DPR in SoCal remove the original ring gear from the flywheel and replace it with a ring gear suitable for the 12 volt starter motor. Works like a champ!

[@67VWForever]

Thank God I'm Restoring a 67 bug right now , back in the day my 64 bug I did convert to 12 volt I think it cost me less than $250 bucks I was only making $5.50 an hour back then. Nice Video Chris what a nice 65 there,, mine will be restored but not paint everything else will be new or rebuild ..

[@dougschindler5110]

New to your page, and really appreciate the detail you provide. I just purchased my first classic beetle, a 65, and have some wok to be done. Will be checking out your videos for guidance... keep up the great work!

[@earlt_vw]

Chris you’ve got me thinking again. Wanted to stay 6v with my 61 but it is difficult to impossible to did a battery. Even the optima is not in stock. All the others are the bigger ones. Bulbs for 6v are difficult to find too. Thanks for the info.

[@derekobidowski3301]

the thing to add when converting a vw to 12v with the stock carburetor is adding a pilot jet cutoff solenoid on the carburetor to prevent dieseling or backfire when the motor is shut off as the solenoid screws in the carburetor in place of the pilot jet most are G55. be the 28 PCI, 28 Pict-1 and 30 Pict-1 carburetors that had a 6v choke element the solenoid is wired together with the choke element.

[@galencurrington8704]

I always change out the ignition too. I know it’s supposed to work but they don’t last long they start smoking after awhile and I’ve done several. Must be the contacts inside just not up to the task.

[@garypannone7755]

You did a beautiful job on that car.

[@classicvwbugs]

Thank you 👍

[@siliconvalleyengineer5875]

beautiful VW and informative information, thank you for sharing

[@gustavopadilla9176]

First thing I did to my 64vw, nice video

[@pastedtomato]

I think there is/was a generator out of late Porsches 356 or 912 that fits on 36 hp engines

[@frankmick8683]

Great Vid. Please do one on A 65' steering wheel/directional housing. I find very little information on installing the directional cut off ring and what holds the directional housing in place. Mine moves all over the place.

[@mikehammer4546]

Good video, what about the starter and flywheel 🤔

[@classicvwbugs]

Steve Lawson just answered that here.

[@angelosmyth7186]

Fuel sending unit? Does that need to be changed-out, or will the original one work?

[@classicvwbugs]

Original will work. 67 and earlier was not electric.

[@geostorm9351]

Nice video. What material is that on the firewall? Looks clean

[@classicvwbugs]

it is our own firewall tarboard insulation kit we sell and make in house www.classicvwbugs.com/classic-vintage-vw-volkswagen-beetle-bug-engine-bay-insulation-tar-boards/

[@geostorm9351]

@@classicvwbugs cool thanks. I’m gonna be ordering some soon.

[@robertwhite7779]

What type of fuel pump is that and would it work on a 66 beetle ?

[@classicvwbugs]

Stock one, you should be able to use that, yeah.

[@marcellorava6149]

Thanks for your info: i have a question: it is safe grinding the side of the alternator? I don't like the spacer under the carb and i don't wanna change the intake with a 12v one. Thanks for your answer.

[@classicvwbugs]

just enough to clear the carb? yes.

[@marcellorava6149]

@@classicvwbugs thanks for the answer, you’re very kind!

[@paulwallace117]

Hi Chris I have a 62 beetle with the same big top Dizzy what have you done please to your condenser will it take 12v through it as it would have been 6v back in the day ? Thank you ps loving your web site and videos Awesome .

[@classicvwbugs]

you shouldn't have to, it can take the 12v.

[@paulwallace117]

@@classicvwbugs thanks Chris thats awesome I wasn't get any info over here in the uk nice one .😀

[@chas3827]

How 'bout putting a list of things needed for a 6V->12V conversion on your web site?

[@richardcastellano9119]

What about the starter. Is the starter impacted by the conversion to 12v

[@classicvwbugs]

Not really no, the 6v starter can take it

[@fabiuzuniversaltunerecudde726]

And for engine starter? Ori 6v starter can rotate high speed with 12v??

[@classicvwbugs]

@@fabiuzuniversaltunerecudde726 yes

[@carlmoll3345]

Hi Chris, Great vid. My 6v '58 beetle has semaphores. can I use them as 12 V if I change the bulbs? Secondly one of the semaphores is temperamental and doesnt always flick all the way up. Is there a fix for that? Thanks, carl

[@timrolfes9761]

Chris, I was lucky enough that one of my previous bugs (`65) was already converted, but now I see what goes into the process. What is the music you play at the end of all your videos?

[@dakkadakka6265]

Got my first beetle recently and I was just wondering on the shell if there's any spots where if there was heavy rust it would cause the shell to be useless. Thanks!

[@classicvwbugs]

Do you have pics of that bug?

[@dakkadakka6265]

@@classicvwbugs yes I do!

[@dakkadakka6265]

@@classicvwbugs is there anyway I can send them to you?

[@classicvwbugs]

@@dakkadakka6265 yes my email is on my website in the about section.

[@dakkadakka6265]

@@classicvwbugs OK thank you!

[@jlankford27]

Hey man can you tell me what color this car is?

[@classicvwbugs]

Sea blue

[@williamwoodard9400]

hey, love the video! I was looking for this very information. I wanted to ask where might there be further information on this. I am restoring a 71 super but can seem to find anything related to details about the car even in the old tech books.

[@classicvwbugs]

have you checked literature on thesamba.com?

[@williamwoodard9400]

@@classicvwbugs I have, but to no avail. besides ther basic first three digits.

[@kirkhathaway4974]

If I remember correctly there is a 12volt starter that will fit a 6volt flywheel....i think it was a 73 type 2 or 3 starter??

[@classicvwbugs]

they do sell a starter today that is 12v and works with the 6v flywheel, it is on cip1.com

[@gravedigger8]

i got a 1967 beetle that had a 6v system with 4 lug wheels, but i pick it up in bamberg germany.

[@classicvwbugs]

Oh nice, I love those.

[@gravedigger8]

@@classicvwbugs everything i've read said it should be 12v with 5 lug rims

[@classicvwbugs]

@@gravedigger8 actually no, not a 1500cc 67 bug, they had 4 lugs with front disc brakes. If your bug was originally 1500cc, and has discs in the front, the 4 lug is correct. This is Euro spec 67, not USA bound 67s.

[@gravedigger8]

@@classicvwbugs cool thanks for the info

[@greghunter4154]

This is a awesome video!!

[@AirkooledKustoms]

love it man

[@brianw8963]

Are You spying on Me Chris? I have that 65 I mentioned the other day still in My garage and was talking about doing the 12v conversion on it later on. Thanks for this, at least I will have an idea what to tell Josh (the owner) it will take if He chooses this option. Couple things I noticed on the one You showed, no fuel filter and no clamps on the (braided German) fuel hoses? I know it is only a couple lbs. pressure and they do fit really tight, but I don’t think I could sleep well without the clamps. Did You mount the filter underneath? And while I’m at it, what the heck, on the valve clearance on these, I found that they call for 8 Intake and 12 exhaust, BUT, it also states in one of my old Haynes books that they had issues with burnt exhaust valves and they say to set them at 8 also? , which I did. Actually they were both set pretty close to 6, for how long I’ve not a clue. Ever run into this controversy?

[@classicvwbugs]

Hey my man! Yeah we have the clamps on now, we usually keep them off in the beginning just in case we have to change anything like carb or fuel pump etc. There can sometimes be gremlins from the getgo. It can be a hassle taking it all on and off in the first couple hundred miles, but once it is all good to go, we put the clamps on. I'm gonna have a video on that. And yes fuel filter is under the luggage area where the steel line comes out of the chassis then going to fuel pump. So in between there. As far as valves? Any 40hp engine from 61-64 is usually .008 on intake and .012 on exhaust. It sounds wacky I know, and sometimes you hear tapping even with that adjustment. So sometimes we go 8 intake and 10 exhaust. But in '65, they went with the square boss heads, so if you have those on your 40hp, then go .006 across the board.

[@brianw8963]

@@classicvwbugs Well thank You for the info Chris, I’m assuming square boss is referring to the mounts for the rocker assembly? I just popped one off to look and they are round. Thanks. 👍

[@brianw8963]

@@classicvwbugs I also dic

[@brianw8963]

@@classicvwbugs I also discovered there is an early 65 and a late one and this is the early vintage.

[@classicvwbugs]

@@brianw8963 you are correct my friend!

[@caribman10]

It's really hard to get Bug to be a performance car because it's next to impossible to arrange correct transmission ratios. If ever a car needed 5 speeds - and wasn't going to get them - it's the VW Beetle.

[@vayabroder729]

Sweet sweet car!!

[@jimstewart6145]

nice job.

[@larryclanton2270]

I was told to switch to 12v I had to change my clutch and pressure plate.

[@davidlang6550]

Comment on flywheel, starter.

[@classicvwbugs]

Hey Dave, the 6v starters are usually ok to use in a 12v system. You pretty much need to stay with that if you have a 36hp engine. A 12v flywheel will not go onto a 36hp crank. They do sell a 12v starter today I found recently on cip1.com that works with the 6v flywheel teeth.

[@e.verbeken6416]

What about the fuses?

[@classicvwbugs]

They stay the same

[@derrickward1380]

What about the starter?

[@classicvwbugs]

you can run a 6v starter in a 12v system without issue, just don't hold the key on it too much.

[@JACKBAHNAN]

don't forget the starter