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Mark, Im not a fan of the 8 volt system, its an oddball to say the least. If you decide to change, I would go ahead and convert it to a full much more standard 12 volt while youre at it. If it has a genny with a Voltage Regulator, you can simply change to a 12 volt Voltage Regulator to charge a 12 volt battery, thats NOT perfect or the engineering proper way to do it, but it can work even if marginally. The starter will still work at 12 volts, although it can be a lil tough on starter drives. A better way on the genny is to have a genny shop convert the old 6 volt unit to a full fledged 12 volt genny or just buy another 12 volt unit and a 12 volt VR. Of course, you could also change over to a Negative grounded 12 volt alternator system like many do, its your call. If its a coil ignition instead of a Magneto (NO change needed), it would be cheapest n easy to add an external series voltage dropping (12 to 6) Ballast Resistor after the switch and ahead of the coil, unless you have a full 12 volt rated coil you wanna use. Change any light bulbs to 12 volts, of course. If you decide NOT to change, to improve cranking performance, I recommend the biggest highest rated battery that can physically fit into the box and the use of 00 Gauge battery n starter n ground cables with a ground cable as close to or on the starter as possible and be sure the starter switch and starter are both in top condition. If the engines not worn out and shes tuned up real good, even 6 volts ought to still start an M in cold weather with the proper oil and good fuel by milking the starter up n over one piston at a time. However, if anything at all is marginal, thats where the 12 volt can still start her where the 6 volt may fail. The good Bob M has all sorts of wiring diagrams to get you converted also. Best wishes John T
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