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Farmall A Magneto / Rewiring Question

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Andy Kinard

11-15-2002 06:03:28




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I have what I believe to be a '44 A. I inherited it when my granddaddy passed away and no one agrees on the year. There is no serial number plate on the machine at all so the only thing I have to go by is the engine serial number. My question is about the magneto which has quit firing. What can I do to check and repair it or what do I need to do to convert the machine over to a distributor type setup? I am also tinkering with the thought of converting it to 12v negative ground. The only electrical system part intact is the 6v starter. I have most all of the original parts but they have not worked in many years. I am a diesel truck mechanic so I am able to do this myself, I just don't know what I need to do it. (Magnetos were just a little before my time) Thanks for any help you can be. AK

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Red Dave

11-15-2002 08:17:21




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 Re: Farmall A Magneto / Rewiring Question in reply to Andy Kinard, 11-15-2002 06:03:28  
The magneto is a fairly simple device. If it was working and quit, it may not need much to get it going again. Replace the points & condensor, clean the contacts on the rotor and distributor cap and give it a try. It may be all you need. I would take the generator and cutout (or regulator, whichever you have) to a starter/generator shop and have it checked out. It may be as cheap to fix what you have as it would be to convert to 12 volts.
As far as the conversion to 12 volts, the starter can be used for 6 or 12, just don't crank for long periods of time without a cooldown on 12 volts. Positve or negative ground won't matter to the starter either.

Bob M has a collection of excellent wiring diagrams that he generously shares.
Click on the link for those. (Thanks Bob M.)

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Rodger

11-15-2002 19:10:46




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 Re: Re: Farmall A Magneto / Rewiring Question in reply to Red Dave, 11-15-2002 08:17:21  
I just read your response regarding running a 6 volt starter with 12 volts... Can I use my 12V auto to jump start the 6V Farmall? Won't it burn out the starter? What is your best guess as to how long I could crank this way?



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Andy K

11-16-2002 08:36:30




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 Re: Re: Re: Farmall A Magneto / Rewiring Question in reply to Rodger, 11-15-2002 19:10:46  
I have used a 12v battery to crank over my 'A'. That's how I knew the the starter still worked. And yup, it will spin the fire out of it. AK



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CNKS

11-15-2002 19:55:01




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 Re: Re: Re: Farmall A Magneto / Rewiring Question in reply to Rodger, 11-15-2002 19:10:46  
You are not going to hurt your starter, but you might blow up your battery, although I have done it and am still alive. Best to jump from your battery directly to the starter, and ground to a clean place on the tractor, not the battery. You will get a lot of sparks this way, though, so make sure your insurance is paid up.



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Rodger

11-16-2002 04:53:41




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Farmall A Magneto / Rewiring Question in reply to CNKS, 11-15-2002 19:55:01  
Thanks for the advice... If I need to do this (jump with a 12V system to the 6V Farmall), should I just take the battery out of the circuit (remove one of the cables) while I jump it? I would think 12V would spin the 6V starter pretty fast!



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CNKS

11-16-2002 19:57:16




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Farmall A Magneto / Rewiring Question in reply to Rodger, 11-16-2002 04:53:41  
That would probably be safer.



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Diesel Don

11-15-2002 06:30:48




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 Re: Farmall A Magneto / Rewiring Question in reply to Andy Kinard, 11-15-2002 06:03:28  
Just in case you didn't know,the serial number plate is under the seat on the left hand seat bracket looking at the rear of the tractor.As far as the mag,before you give up on it,remove the grounding wire that goes to the switch and then check for spark.That will eliminate a bad switch or grounding wire.If that doesn't help,lightly file the points and try it.If you can scrounge up a condenser you may want to try to replace it too.Try these things and if you still don't have spark,reply on this forum or e-mail me direct.I just finished rebuilding a mag for my A so I have a little experience with them.

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