Farmall H distributor and electronic ignition

2249helmkamp

New User
I have an H that is now 12 volts. I am thinking about converting it to an electronic ignition system. Is this worth the added expense? Are there any cons to doing this?

Now a dumb question: How do I know which distributor I have if I don't see any obvious tags? I believe one is vertical and one is horizontal? Thanks for any help
 
(quoted from post at 18:15:07 01/27/15) I have an H that is now 12 volts. I am thinking about converting it to an electronic ignition system. Is this worth the added expense? Are there any cons to doing this?

Now a dumb question: How do I know which distributor I have if I don't see any obvious tags? I believe one is vertical and one is horizontal? Thanks for any help


I did it to both my tractors and each starts in less than half the time. I didn't want to fool with points anymore. But some will say stay with them as they can be field fixed easier.



I used kit 1442 on both tractors
 
If you already have the alternator done your not looking at much more expense. And honestly if you have that part done there really ain't much more reason to have an alternator unless you have an electronic ignition. Neighbor has points without any charging system at all. He charges his battery twice a year. My h starts lots better. Overall performance I can't tell a difference other than starting which I believe is worth it.
 
I didn't do the conversion. I picked it up over the fall. I went to get it out the other day and just to start it up but in the cold weather it doesn't want to start. I have the starter out now to rebuild it. I thought about just getting rid of the points and condenser but I don't know much about the electronic ignition.
 
I converted my 300 over a year ago and the starting of it is great!! It fires up instantly! I just started it today after sitting for over 2 months and it did not go over one time before it was running. In past, many times I had to clean the points to get it to run. The conversion was easy to put in. I am still using the 6 volt system and I would not put points back in (unless in an emergency).
 
vertical distributor is a delco. The horizontal is an Ih or a prestolite. The prestolite is a lot less common.
 
I have a 300 with a pertronix ignition kit in it. It was like that when I bought it. It starts nice but if it ever quits it's more trouble to fix. As for your distributor, you need to determine if it's Delco or IH. I have an H with a verticle IH dist. Usually if they have been changed its a delco dist.
 
My distributer is horizontal. Don't know what kind it is. Was painted over when I got it. But it is internally resisted so just 1 wire to the battery with a switch. Simple simple simple.
 
IH
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I have installed electronic ignition on
560, MM.U,SMTA L.P. S.C.6volt, 300U.Will never restore another with out it.
Rebuild the distributor to make sure no play in shaft , also In my case I use a 55,ooo volt coil on 12 volts(thunder volt III) and steel braded puller wires.
You cannot believe the response from these engines. None of these tractors are pullers, They are family jewels.
Just as a side note; I also rebuilt carbs, and run Avgas . Just touch key and they fire. These tractors sit a lot and premium gas was breaking down causing problems & stinking. Avgas smells clean & sweet.
Just some ideas based on my experience.
Tony
 
I have never heard of Avgas before. I was looking at one of the high voltage coils a while back but my Case dealer said they burn points too fast but if I eliminate points then this wont be an issue. Thanks
 
Avgas is probably cause its around 110 octane or higher. After gas sits it loses octane rating. If gas loses 15 points in 6 months then avgas is still 95 at least and 87 is now 72. Also avgas is higher quality fuel anyway. Airplanes tend to sit a while in the private sector of aviation so they also take that into consideration when processing. Personally with me I'll buy a jug of stay bill. But to each is own. I never thought about it but that's actually a good idea if its mainly a show tractor that don't work and has very little fuel run through it.
 

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