john deere 40 converting to electronic ignition

jd adict · Feb 9, 2018

Hi just wondering if anyone has converted a john deere 40 to electronic ignition.
i did a little research and a and i has a kit but its not 6 volt.
they have a 12 volt negative and a 12 volt positive kit for the 40 distributor.
will the 12 volt positive ground kit work??
all 40 tractors originally were positive ground.
these kits are fairly pricy over 150 bucks and i want the correct one without buggering
it up.
let me know whats your thoughts.

coonie minnie · Feb 9, 2018

I have no Dubuque two cylinders, but do have several Waterloo two cylinders. I've equipped most all of them with electronic ignition. I have not had one fail yet. One has been in 17 years.

You will spend a lot less time messing with ignition stuff with the electronic kit- less fouled plugs, no bad condenser or points, etc.

Go for it.

Hayfarmer · Feb 9, 2018

I have an EI kit on my 430, pretty similar to 40. It is 12 volt, positive ground with alternator though. I have had it for years and it has been trouble free. I used to have trouble keeping points adjusted and fouling plugs but not since I put the EI on. I think you would need to convert to 12 volt to use either EI setup you mention. You might get by with your generator charging the 12 volt battery if you don't use lights. If you have any questions contact Pertronix before doing something that might fry the ignition. This site may have the kits to go to EI.

David G · Feb 9, 2018

There is no way I would put in a 12V positive ground system, if converting then reverse polarity.

Too easy to get it backwards.

Lee B · Feb 9, 2018

No, the 12 volt kit won't work at 6 volts.

Of same opinion as David G, have you seen this and why not?
<a href="http://www.yesterdaystractors.com/John-Deere-40_Electronic-Ignition-Conversion-Kit-6-Volt-Positive-Ground_1123P6.html" target="_blank">John Deere 40 Electronic Ignition Conversion Kit, 6 Volt Positive Ground</a>

I'll recommend you get this too.
<a href="http://www.yesterdaystractors.com/40011_Coil-High-Performance-Black-6-Volt-Oil-Filled_3233.htm" target="_blank">Coil, High Performance (Black), 6 Volt, Oil Filled<a/>

David G · Feb 9, 2018

You can really convert them to 12V for around 50 bucks plus battery, kits are overkill.

rvirgil_KS · Feb 9, 2018

If it were mine I would not want EE with 6 volts. With 6 volt, it is not uncommon that if the battery has to crank the engine very long, the battery charge voltage will drop below the minimum operating level of the EE module and you lose spark.

Just because it came from the factory as positive ground does not mean it must stay that way.

If it were mine and I wanted EE, I would install a 3 wire alternator that you don't have to rev to start charging, convert to negative ground (If it has distributor, reverse connections on small coil posts so -- post goes to side of distributor, reverse ammeter connections, and install a 12 volt battery negative to ground).

I would replace coil with a direct 12 volt such as NAPA IC14SB and not use a dropping resistor. You don't need a 40000 volt coil when the plugs need much less than that to fire.

Pertronix also recommends that you replace the solid wire plug wires with newer automotive type wires

In this day and age 12 volt negative ground will likely be less confusing to the person who may have to troubleshoot a problem.

pmarkel · Feb 9, 2018

I've had a solid state ignition in my JD 60 for a couple years now and it has run fine (of course my B with points and mag starts fine too). If you are going to spend the money on a kit I would go 12v negative right away. I bought a positive ground kit not knowing any better and though it works fine with the original 12v gen, I can't easily switch the tractor over to an alternator in the future without purchasing a new module or a more expensive positive ground alternator. If you plan to put an alternator on your 40 at some point, go negative ground with the ei.

john deere 40 converting to electronic ignition

jd adict

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coonie minnie

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Hayfarmer

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David G

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Lee B

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David G

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rvirgil_KS

Well-known Member

pmarkel

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