Magneto to distrubutor

I'm wondering if it's possible to change the magneto out to distrubutor with a coil on 38 unstyled A. Understand there are a lot of different opinions about which is better. But I'm just wondering if it's even an option. I don't know much about John deeres. Also wondering about some type of electric start. Thanks for any help you guys can provide.

A Delco distributor fits right in there where the Mag mounts, THATS THE EASY PART, but you will, of course, need a battery and generator and pulleys and belt and Voltage Regulator or Cutout Relay with Light Switch type of Charge Control (Low/High). That's a fair amount of work and expense and while the battery powered distributor may have some advantages, you're not gaining much in improved ignition performance (distributor does have improved RPM based advance curve). For electric start you will need a starter (DUH) and a flywheel with the outer tooth ring (another DUH)

Your tractor your money your choice but such a conversion detracts from a pure unstyled tractors personality. But hey an electric start can be soooooooo nice lol

John T

Thanks for the advice. Good information stated in a professional matter. I appreciate the help. Is there any particular spot to pay special attention at when looking these tractors over. I have found one that looks like a good candidate for a project just not real familiar with this color of machine. Understand basic mechanics and internal combustion just wondering if there's any weak spots to look for ?

I think John T forgot about the unstyleds using the long lug mag where the dist. were only set up for where the short lug mags were.
So the governor would need to have the drive coupling swapped over to the one from a later tractor that used the short lug mag.
Maybe there was an adapter made to go in there ?
If there ever was it would be hard to find. Someone could likely make one in a machine shop pretty easy.

SILLY ME I think you're right THANKS MIKE

What he wants to do isn't a walk in the park I'm afraid.

I thought I made a mistake one other time but I was wrong lol

John T

Hi Red,
Sounds like a fun project. If you tinker with this green thing a little and get things right, they start so easy you will be surprised. My old rag of a 35A (toy) sits for weeks and then cranks right up. No bat, gen, starter, etc. Have fun and good luck. VH

You left your standard disclaimer out of your post ! LOL we all need one.

Yep I realized that too, the one time I forget my disclaimer and I screw up grrrrrrrrr

NOTE The above may be correct it may NOT be correct, Im not saying so there

John T

(quoted from post at 14:02:09 07/11/14) A Delco distributor fits right in there where the Mag mounts, THATS THE EASY PART, but you will, of course, need a battery and generator and pulleys and belt and Voltage Regulator or Cutout Relay with Light Switch type of Charge Control (Low/High). That's a fair amount of work and expense and while the battery powered distributor may have some advantages, you're not gaining much in improved ignition performance (distributor does have improved RPM based advance curve). For electric start you will need a starter (DUH) and a flywheel with the outer tooth ring (another DUH)

Your tractor your money your choice but such a conversion detracts from a pure unstyled tractors personality. But hey an electric start can be soooooooo nice lol

John T

Click to expand...

One other thing to watch for, tho it doesn't matter as much w/ JD as it does the red guys - Dist can hang due to burr, dirt, or weak dis spring, and not return to 0 advance. If you are hand-starting, I much prefer a mag over battery ignition. If the impulse coupling clicks, you are pretty safe unless it was timed wrong to begin with.

My disclaimer is going to be I'm always wrong.

If you don't believe so ask my wife !

Yo Mike, Ive "Been there done that" lol Ya know, the reason for a disclaimer is, when you have spent 15 years here and do your best to try and help, there"s always some a holes (NOT you) who don"t contribute or try to help, that just love to jump out behind the bush and scream I GOTCHA if you make one stumble or mis step which I often do as I"m in a hurry to answer as many questions as I can. And there are others whose attitude is ITS MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY and they take issue if another dares to offer a different opinion and want to fight and argue. For 15 years I"ve tried to remain polite and professional yet a few on here must get their jollys by fighting or finding errors and getting mad if one dares to offer a different method or opinion. As has been said, people are entitled to their own opinions but not their own facts. And as you have seen me post so many times, when an electrical or legal question is asked, EVERYONE IS AN EXPERT AND TAKE OFFENSE OR WANT TO FIGHT OR ARGUE!!! Sooooo that"s why I say take or leave my opinions as you please NO WARRANTY, THEY MAY BE RIGHT THEY MAY BE WRONG so kiss my grits lol

Thanks for letting me rant

John T

I like the mag. I have a 52 Model A that came with a distributor, but someone put a Mag on it. The Mag was an option in 1952 for extra $$. It runs great.