1953 WD

Kerry50 · Sep 5, 2013

I stopped and looked at a WD today. Checking the serial# (133701) it's a '53 model. The sheet metal is in real good shape. No rust on the fenders, wheels are good, tires bad, overall appearance is really good. The motor appears to be stuck. Could not get it to turn over. My question is this, it has a mag. I wouldn't have thot a later WD would have a mag. If I buy this tractor I would like to change out the mag with a distributor. What distributor would work? Of course, the first thing to do would be to free the motor, if possible and maybe even rebuild it. I'm thinking this one may be worth it.

Thanks for your thots. Will let you know what I do.

Kerry in Mid-MO

old · Sep 5, 2013

May have a mag due to what the person who first ordered it wanted. Many of those mag could be turned in to a distributor just by adding a external coil. As for freeing it up depends on why it is locked up. If if sat for years maybe simple if is had gotten water in the engine then not so simple

EricB · Sep 5, 2013

Sounds like you're onto a good one. If the price is reasonable .... go for it. You can get a distributor set up from someone selling used parts, however, the Delco distributor is common and not difficult to buy new or rebuilt. You will need the adapter unit to match but that is not too difficult to find. This site used to sell the adapter kit but has not been listed lately. You can always get that mag fixed and working 'til you locate the other set-up.

JMS/.MN · Sep 6, 2013

1953 WD went to a battery ignition (distributor) at sn 136318. You should have the curved shifter (WD45 style) after sn 126007. Any distributor from later WD, WD45, CA, etc. would work.

60 acre hillside · Sep 6, 2013

What do you dislike about a mag?

Kerry50 · Sep 6, 2013

I guess not being real familiar with mags would be my reason for changing it. Was just thinking out loud if the mag was shot what distributor would work. The guy said it had been running a couple of years ago. The muffler was covered, but who knows about water getting in it. As far as price, his wife wants it gone! So thinking it can be bought right.

Thanks guys for your replys

Kerry

old · Sep 6, 2013

Just to let you know. I have a WD45 engine here that came out of my W Speed Patrol. It still ran when I pulled it out but the oil pressure was very low and it was getting weak but it still is a rebuild-able engine

Kip-Utah · Sep 6, 2013

Mag is correct for this tractor & it probably works fine. The early WDs & CAs all had mags and they along with the Bs transitioned to battery ignition (distributors) part way through 1953.Quite frankly I prefer the magneto as you can crank or pull start one with a weak battery or no battery at all.I have a friend that went the other way with two of his WD45s replacing the battery ignition with a mag for this very reason.

Anonymous-0 · Sep 6, 2013

also check under the mag their should be a casting number that ends in 38-40 that is a desiable engine also oridgenal it means that you got the last series of the 201 it has a little stronger webbing on the bottom end

J. Everett · Sep 6, 2013

The owner should have some thoughts as to why or what happened to cause the engine to lock up, be sure and ask about this...it may have a spun crank bearing hes not telling or talking about. But I would check to see if their is water in the combustion areas, if not do like Old always suggests...pour in ATF and let it sit for a week or so.

1953 WD

Kerry50

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old

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EricB

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JMS/.MN

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60 acre hillside

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Kerry50

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old

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Kip-Utah

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Anonymous-0

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J. Everett

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