Ignition Coil and Electronic ignition for John Deere G

NHpuller

Member
Have a 1952 John Deere G that the coil went bad on. What is the best coil to put on this tractor? Also is the pertronix electronic ignition worth putting on the tractor? Thanks
 
I have put EI on 2 tractors and 2 vehicles and think it is great. Once installed you don't have to adjust or replace points again. Some folks argue that points are cheaper to replace, I agree but with the cost of points and condensor going up, not to mention some bad condensors out there, it doesn't take long to pay for the EI. Some also argue that if your points are burned you can tough them up to get home, whereas if EI goes out you are done, I have extra points and the conversion for my tractors to change back if needed but so far with both installed more than 10 years ago I haven't had a problem. If you do get pertronix be sure to get the right one for your tractor, neg or positive ground and follow instructions explisitly, not anyone's advise except manufacturer of the unit.
 
I put a Pertronix unit on my G, and also the "Flamethrower" coil from Pertronix. I love it!
I also put one on my 520 that had starting issues, cured that in a heartbeat.
 
As long as you're staying stock using points to switch coil current, the standard stock "12 volt" coil will suffice. HOWEVER if using points I would NOT go with any High Energy High Voltage so called Super Coil etc. aftermarket coil as "some" may draw more current then a stock coil which will cause the points to burn up prematurely. If you go the elec ignition route then to get the most bang for the buck and utilize the features (fast positive switch with likely higher current rating) an elec switch has to offer, I would consider use of a matching High Energy High Voltage Coil.

There are pros and cons of points versus an elec switch, I'm not getting into all that, your tractor your choice.

John T
 

An ordinary Napa 12V, 3.5ohm coil has plenty of capacity to spark a low rpm, low compression two cylinder . The Pertronix conversion will give the coil output that no points ever could.
 
Plain old napa coil will be fine. You'll have to decide if an electronic conversion vs points is worth the cost to you. While I do like EI when all is well it makes no difference in how the engine runs. Fuel - air - compression - spark = BOOM. Whether it's 30,000 or 50,000 volts that hits that mixture makes no difference. The difference comes in when the plugs and wires start degrading and need more juice to fire the same as they did when new.

Just my opinion but EI is just a more dependable (usually) upgrade just like switching from a 6v to a 12v.
 
I've got a NAPA IC14SB coil (no external resistor required) on an 8N Ford with Pertronix 12 volt negative ground module. Works great.
 

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