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Need help w/ A magneto

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Andy K.

02-11-2003 16:52:51




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Help!! The mag on my '44 A has quit firing and I don't have a clue. I'm a diesel mechanic but this thing is before my time. Money's tight but I'm trying to keep Granddaddy's A together. What about a conversion to a distributor? What would work on her? Any help from more 'seasoned' A owners would be greatly appreciated.




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Andy K.

02-14-2003 08:13:27




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 Re: Need help w/ A magneto in reply to Andy K., 02-11-2003 16:52:51  
Well I tried all the advise from all the replies and she's still not firing. I broke out the old multimeter and it seems the coil itself is shorted to the case. I dismantled it as far as I dared and still did not see any apparent reason. Unless anyone has anymore suggestions, I guess I'm looking for a rebuilt mag or distributor setup.



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shaggy

02-11-2003 22:18:12




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 Re: Need help w/ A magneto in reply to Andy K., 02-11-2003 16:52:51  
I got 6 mags in the shop on a shelf. (Dad hated them) I am taking one on the 2 tractor rides Iam on this year just in case.



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mike

02-11-2003 21:23:19




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 Re: Need help w/ A magneto in reply to Andy K., 02-11-2003 16:52:51  
Andy, points are a place to start, but the 1st item to
check is the impluse drive, which allows mag to
wind up then spin fast enough to create a spark.
does mag snap or click when engine is cranking over? if not another mag or distributor may be in
order. by the way, since noone would answer your
question, any bat ignition w/drive & distributor
from a A thur 450 tractor will work.

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Steven@nd another tech article...

02-11-2003 19:26:03




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 Re: Need help w/ A magneto in reply to Andy K., 02-11-2003 16:52:51  
Here we go:


third party image
This is what the magneto looks like on the tractor. (orientation)


third party image
Pull the distributor cap off and this is what you see (the rotor).


third party image
Pull the rotor off and you see this.


third party image
Then you need to loosen 3 screws to pull the cover off. Arrows in picture.


third party image
Then you will pull that cover off and see this.


third party image
Here is the points. The gap between them when they are open like this needs to be .013"

Hope this helps out, you're lucky I had a mag sitting in my apartment waiting to be shipped out...

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mwmjr

02-13-2003 11:29:56




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 Re: Re: Need help w/ A magneto in reply to Steven@nd another tech article..., 02-11-2003 19:26:03  
if teachers could see how you presented magneto info and photo ,surely they would all run to you to take lessons on how to instruct effectively!!.thanks a ton for pics and comments/instructions...my mag on my 52 h is producing a weak yellow spark and your pics/info will help me right away..best to you,mwmjra



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Bob M

02-11-2003 18:47:11




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 Re: Need help w/ A magneto in reply to Andy K., 02-11-2003 16:52:51  
Andy - Try cleaning the points (dress them with a small file, run an emery cloth thru 'em a couple times, or even use a dollar bill) before you reset the gap. Sometimes points develop a buildup of oxidation - especially if the tractor is left outside unused for a while - which prevents the mag from firing.



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Leroy

02-11-2003 18:41:54




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 Re: Need help w/ A magneto in reply to Andy K., 02-11-2003 16:52:51  
I agree with Bill and Steven. I prefer the magneto so that I don't need a battery to start it. I believe the condition of the points is more critical in the mag than on the distributor. When my points get bad, I use (3) different samdpapers to shine them up. I start with about 100, go to about 400, and finish them with about 1000, although that may be excessively fine. That leaves nearly a mirror finish.

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Steven@nd

02-11-2003 17:01:57




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 Re: Need help w/ A magneto in reply to Andy K., 02-11-2003 16:52:51  
Start with points and condensor, that's what went bad on my A.

It's not hard, just take the distributor cap off, then there are 2 screws under that to remove a cover and then you can see the points (they might just be out of adjustment). Set points to .013" and try starting it.

Personally, I prefer magneto over distributor - I hate dead batteries! Long live crank starting!



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Bill L Md

02-11-2003 17:52:50




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 Re: Re: Need help w/ A magneto in reply to Steven@nd, 02-11-2003 17:01:57  
Steve with you 100% om the mag nice if the bat goes dead over winter.



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