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Gravely L magneto problems

F

firhead

Member
Just acquired what I think is a 6.6, maybe early sixties, with a Swiftamatic system. Its been around. Upon cranking it, I normally get no spark, but once in awhile, I get a little something back in the plug. Once, it even gave me a jolt when I was holding the end of the plug wire. But I can't get a consistent good blue spark. I pulled a plug and plug wire off another L I have, that sparks good, and put it on this newly acquired machine, and got nothing. This of course leads to the magneto, and I'm wondering what's the most likely problem here. I cleaned and gapped points - but maybe not perfectly. What is the next most likely thing? What makes this especially frustrating is that I get a LITTLE something every so often. Any thoughts appreciated.
Thanks
Firhead
 
The points could still not be working. Did you try
running a piece of white paper between the
contacts and see if any dirt comes off?

Watch the points when they open and look for
sparks. A lot of spark at the points mean the
points are not working correctly or the condenser
is bad.

You could have a lead grounded somewhere inside
the magneto.

Two more things would be a bad coil or a weak
magnet.
Fairbanks Morse mags are well knowen for having
bad magnets.
 
Click on link below,at website click on gravely manuals,select walk behind tractor from list,in listings are manuals for the edison,bendix,wico & fairbanks mags used on the L series,may help you with your problem.
gravely
 
Touch the magnets with a flat blade screwdriver to see if they have strong magnetism. It's very possible they're weak from age. A shop that rebuilds mags can recharge them. We have a shop here in MD. Hal
 
is the magneto impulsing each time?

after sanding points, spray a little ether over them, with the points open or drag some clean paper or a folded dollar bill through them, to remove the grit.
 
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