Starting Fordson

Just finshed restoring an 1921 Irish Fordson, I bought 3 from Manitoba, I am having trouble getting a spark. Checked the mag getting approx 5V cranking. All new Buzz Coils will buzz with 6V Battery, But when I check the cercit of each Coil I get a flow through on every position (Top to Bot,Center to Top and Bot) is this correct?
Thanks

The coils should be wired as follows.

Bottom wire, bottom part of the coil, should lead to the hot side of the battery. These are all connected together so if you are testing to the top wire, and by-passing the Commutator, then yes. You will get a reading. The mag in the flywheel puts out AC, and when running will put out between 9 and 12 volts AC.

The side wire on the bottom goes to the Sparkplug. The firing order should be 1-2-4-3

The side wire on the top should be running to the commutator which in turn grounds out the circut to the coil on that cylinder. This is where it important to pay attention to the firing order so the correct coil will be buzzing at the right time, top of the compression stroke. The coils should only be buzzing one at a time.

Hope this Helps. Dandy Dave!

Dandy Dave
Can I assume my E27N would be the same?
Brian

I do not belive that the E27N has 4 individual Buzz Coils like a model F. Does it? Were these not fitted with a magneto? I have never worked on an E27N so I cannot tell you for sure. Dandy Dave!

Dandy Dave
Yes, it does have a magneto, not sure how it works yet.
Brian

Thanks Brian and Dandy,
Yes I checked all wiring, Yes thanks now I know there is contiunity thru the New Buzz Coil I will recheck the Mag and Computator, will try using a 6V battery, may get it started ?
opps! here the wife, will try on the weekeng.
Thanks for your help

Brian, I looked at some photos of the E27N and it is a whole different animal from the early Fordsons with the 4 individual buzz coils. The "Mag" on these early units is actually a Dynamo that is part of the flywheel. These are very much like a model "T" Ford car,and many of the ignition parts will interchange. The E27N, on the other hand, has a mag that is a self contained unit. The armature,windings, points, condenser, and magnets are all contained in a unit that you can carry away in one hand. To test these units you will need a multi meter to test the secondary coil to get an ohlm reading. Most of the time these units only require cleaning or replacing the points and condenser, and sometimes replacing the coil and recharging the magnets. To test it, just put a plug on one of the plug wires and every two full revolutions you should see a spark on that plug when the impulse in the mag clicks on that stroke. Put plugs on all the wires and one should spark every 1/2 a revolution. Fireing order should also be 1-2-4-3. Every 4 cylinder ford I have ever worked on has this fireing order. IH Farmalls on the other hand have a Fireing order of 1-3-4-2. I hope this helps. Dandy Dave!

Well I cranked for about 1/2 hr had a couple of bangs a pops she was trying to fire, then back
fire and the starting handle got me in the mouth, split my lip. I was fine just a little bloody. So I took a break put the top coat of paint on the wheels. Thought I should check wiring one more time I had the wiring on the commutator backwards (clockwise from front) should be counter-clockwise. Rewired firing order correct 1-2-4-3, turned the gas on and second pull she fired up, great !!!!
Was I happy, however she ran for about 15min then died, ran out of gas forgot to turn to kerosene.
Got a little adjusting to do, however she goes.

Getting the timing in the correct rotation is very importiant. If it does not start on the third, or fourth, upward pull of the crank, It usually means that something is wrong. :wink: Hope that you are healing up, and glad to hear that you have her running. Dandy Dave!

Hi I know that I'm coming in a bit late on this one but I've spent the last three weeks in USofA. Model F had Buzz coils originally but a lot have been converted to use magneto. The Model N was Magneto from square one(It had a completely diferent front casting from the F to accomodate this). The E27N continued with virtually the same engine casting and magneto set up.Somewhere I have some info on the buzz coil ignition, if you interested I'll dig it out and Email to you.Can't give any advice because I've never worked on this system. Best of luck MTF

Hey Mike, your home. Hope you had a dandy good time in the US of A. Dandy Dave?

Hi Mike
That is one long flight!
Hope you enjoyed your stay.
Brian

Hi Gentlemen yes it was a long flight.10.5 hours San francisco-Lnodon. BUT I had a tremendous time and saw lots of wonderful things. Sat in the train from Denver to GrandJunction for about 5 hours without moving in a snow drift. Eventually Arrived 11 hours late. A couple of times I thought I'd died and gone to heaven there were so many old tractors. We were made extremely welcome all along our route and I can really only say thanks to all the folks we met. But I've got dirty hands again now. Brill. TC MTF