Mag Question

labman98 · Jul 7, 2008

Hello,

Is a mag original for a 1940 Farmall H? What year did they come out with the coil?

Thanks Matt

rustyfarmall · Jul 7, 2008

The magneto would be original for all of the letter series Farmalls up until the mid 1950s or there abouts.

ScottyHOMeY · Jul 7, 2008

If you have a magneto there (should be an H-4) it is very likely original. I think, but am not sure, that battery ignitions were available as an option early on, if not from the very beginning.

Good arguments in favor of both systems.

I've known and heard stories abouut folks who "upgraded" their mag to the battery system if the original setup failed, but also those who bought a tractor with battery ignition because it was what was on the lot, but had it "upgraded" to a mag.

Both have the same weak points. They both have distributors, points, a condensor, and a coil. One will run without a good battery. The other won't. Some folks see that as the advantage of the mag. On the other hand, the variable advance of the battery distributor might be seen as better than the all-or-nothing advnce of the impulse coupling on the magnetos.

In good repair, both ran (and run) just fine.

Athol Carr · Jul 7, 2008

I believe that distributor ignition became the norm in 1949. For my 1948 Super A the early parts book only shows magneto ignition.

D Slater · Jul 7, 2008

Agree with Athol Carr, April of 49 for a H. Mag could still be put on tractor after then if wanted or with some non standard equipment.
IH sold battery ignition kits to replace mags on early tractors also.

Mag Question

labman98

Member

rustyfarmall

Well-known Member

ScottyHOMeY

Well-known Member

Athol Carr

Member

D Slater

Well-known Member

Similar threads