Converting Farmall C to 12 Volt Electronic ignition.

Anonymous-0 · Apr 18, 2011

Restoring a Farmall C, Currently rebuilt the starter for 12 volt, and would like to upgrade current IH distributor to 12 v negative electronic ignition with coil etc.. Question is what type of light switch and Alternator is needed for this system? Also any advice any other parts pertaining to this - spark plugs, type of electronic ignition to use, coil, would you recommend buying a wiring harness etc.. I would appreciate.

Bob M · Apr 18, 2011

Joe -

The stock breaker point and coil system is more than adequate for the ignition needs of a Farmall C. Were it mine I'd leave the ignition "as is" and save your money.

For a 12 volt conversion, again the stock 6 volt system maintained good condition is entirely adequate for a Farmall C.

However if you decide to go to a 12 volt alternator I'd recommend a Delco 12SI alternator. It was used in most GM vehicles from the early 70's through late 80's. It's plentiful, cheap and reliable and the most commonly used alternator conversion.

All existing electrical parts (light switch, ammeter, wiring harness, starter, etc) will work fine on 12 volts. The only exceptions are the light bulbs (you must change to 12 volt lamps) and the coil. You will need is to either add a ballast resistor ahead of the existing coil, or to swap the stock coil with a self-ballasted "12 volt" coil.

Wiring instructions for a Delco 12SI alternator can be found at the link.
12 volt alternator conversion

Owen Aaland · Apr 18, 2011

While the 12SI series alternators will work fine I believe what Bob M meant to say was 10SI. Both alternators are the same physical size and the same connections. The 12SI is a little heavier duty unit designed with better cooling to handle higher amperage. Higher output is not needed for the C and the 10SI is more readily available.

Bob M · Apr 18, 2011

Yes indeed - 10SI is what I meant.

Thanks for the catch Owen!!

gene bender · Apr 19, 2011

You sure like spending money as the original system is more than enough for the C in all kinds of weather. If you read these posts enough there sure seems to be a large bunch of the posts going to 12v and electronic ignition systems with their problems unless they can do their own converting and trouble shooting to make the systems work.

oldtanker · Apr 19, 2011

(quoted from post at 05:07:00 04/19/11) You sure like spending money as the original system is more than enough for the C in all kinds of weather. If you read these posts enough there sure seems to be a large bunch of the posts going to 12v and electronic ignition systems with their problems unless they can do their own converting and trouble shooting to make the systems work.

Don't agree with that statement. I've never seen any 6 volt system start well at -30F but my M with 12 conversion and point ignition system fires right up.

Rick

mkirsch · Apr 19, 2011

On the smaller tractors like the C, 6V is adequate even in the cold.

BUT, you've still got to deal with the complicated, unreliable generator/regulator system Modern alternators take almost all of the guesswork and troubleshooting out of your hands.

Electronic ignition... If you really-really want it... It's not necessary. Just make sure you put a ballast resistor on the supply wire to the coil, and the original points style ignition will work just fine.

Owen Aaland · Apr 19, 2011

(quoted from post at 20:40:34 04/18/11) Yes indeed - 10SI is what I meant.

Thanks for the catch Owen!!

There is very little mention of using a 12SI alternators on this board so I was pretty sure you meant 10SI.

If you just want to upgrade to an alternator from the generator you do not necessarily need to go to 12 volt. A 10SI alternator is easily converted to 6 volts by just changing the regulator. You would also need to switch the battery to negative ground.

SadFarmall · Apr 20, 2011

Can't resist putting my oar in here. My M has magneto ignition and 6 volt. It never burns points. It has never needed new points. It starts easily on the starter motor or on the second turn of the crank without fail. So there is no way on Earth that any electronic anything or 12 volt is ever going near it.

Converting Farmall C to 12 Volt Electronic ignition.

Anonymous-0

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Bob M

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Owen Aaland

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Bob M

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