electronic ignition

I don't have EI on any of my N's, so I can't give you an
experienced answer on the benefits of EI on one, but I
would buy a new key switch so you can turn it off first.
 
Let me understand.... You want to know what *I* think of you spending your money for your tractor?? VALUE is in the eye of the beholder.... NOT... again... NOT in the opinions of others.

Perhaps a more telling question might along the lines of "Those who have EI... do you enjoy it?" OR "Those who use POINTS/CONDENSER, do you plan to continue use?"

And ignore those who ask the WHY question..... Your reasons are your own, you don't need to explain.
 
I have used both. EI with a worn distributor on an 8N, and points on another tractor with a tight distributor.

My only advise:

If you are having electrical problems of any kind now, fix those first. Introducing another factor in the equation for repair will frustrate and mislead.

Follow the instructions on the EI closely. If you don't understand call the manufacturer or post here. The EI units are not always forgiving of your mistakes.

That said...EI and points both can do the job.
 
Good front mount distributor points for N tractors
are getting difficult to find and more expensive.
Also I hate to remove and install that front mount
distributor. The older I get the more difficult it
gets. I put EI on my 1949 8N front mount. My
suggestion would be to convert to a 12 volt
alternator system and buy the complete Pertronix
EI kit sold by this site part# 1247XT for $176.10.
You can do it cheaper but once you see how well
this all fits together I think you will be
impressed. EI only replaces the points. In order
to keep maintenance to a minimum you need a good
cap, rotor and coil setup. Conversion to 12 volts
and EI makes little economical sense but if done
properly you have less maintenance and a better
running tractor. I enjoy using my tractor but as
the years go by I find less enjoyment in working
on it.
 
Very pleased with my 48 8N EI conversion, though the periodic points replacement didn't bother me much. It is so convenient to be able to take the distributor off and work on it in a comfortable place. My tractor usually started on the second "rumpa" before conversion, now it generally starts on the first "rum." I think the prolonged spark period with EI helps with starting and probably gives a slight boost in HP and fuel economy, but it is hard to measure. I wish I had a show 8N, all original, to use in shows and parades, but my tractor just works for a living and I want it as convenient and PM free as I can get it.
 
The EI debate comes up here w/ such frequency that you would benefit from doing an archives search on the topic so that you can make an informed decision based upon factual information.

Click on the link for the latest days-long debate on the topic.

While it is certainly true that EI is superior when compared to points ignition systems, it’s beside the point. The question is the practical applicability of EI on a 60+ year old 23 hp tractor.

--- Putting EI on a N series tractor will replace the points. Any other "advantages" will be miniscule.

---- if you have a well running tractor & just don't care to fool w/ points anymore, EI is a perfect alternative.

---- if you expect EI to cure any significant ignition problem you may have other than bad points, it won't.

The key advantage to EI is that you do not need to gap & lube the points every year & replace them every 4 or 5 years or. If you perform annual maintenance on the points & change them every 4 years or so using quality parts, you will see no difference whatsoever between a points ignition system & EI on an N.
Endless EI Debate
 

It did not end with me I ask some questions that never were answered... I figgerd these are my buds I'm stupid enuff to back them into a corner they want out so I let them out...

It could go on but why I have nuttin to prove but maybe others do...

I fudged with my farmall 100 to day it set all winter it fired rite up BUTTTTT at times would shut down like you switched it off... Its a beach to get to the points its a sideways mount,,, You can bet your sweet arse its gonna get EI... Have I got to run that MF'er every day to please the points...
Those Farmalls probably have been the most converted tractor out there and have the most pleased owners..

I have never figgerd out why some N guys fight EI and 12V conversions were most all other brands its a none issue...

Maybe you have the answer... Its not like they were build yesterday...

There's a reason why some folks have success with EI they have all there ducks in a row... There's a reason what folks don't have luck with points sometimes you can not beat mother nature and I am tired of fighting that battle.....

BTW I got my uncles N out last week for a little work I had to fudge with the points :cry:... Its a good thang I keep a big arse roll of emery cloth...
 
[i:654c4848f0]"While it is certainly true that EI is superior when compared to points ignition systems..."[/i:654c4848f0]

Sounds like you are coming around Bruce.

[i:654c4848f0]"The question is the practical applicability of EI on a 60+ year old 23 hp tractor."[/i:654c4848f0]

Now if you can just give us a good reason that this should be believed we might actually get somewhere.
EVERY gas engine manufacturer - from Echo weed whips to Briggs and Honda small engines to motorcycles and chainsaws has gone EI because of it's obvious benefits.
So how can do you continue to say it doesn't apply to Ns?

Lastly you write:

[i:654c4848f0]"you will see no difference whatsoever between a points ignition system & EI on an N."[/i:654c4848f0]

I have not heard that you went out and bought EI for one or all of your tractors.
So this comment is based soley on hearsay.
When you can give us some a posteriori knowledge on this you will become more credible.
 
12v and EI are more that worth it in my opinion.
I have pretty much all combinations of 6-12-points-EI here with a lot of tractors.
After the hard winter we all have had, a lot of my tractors have sat for months. I usually run em all some in winter, but this year I sissy'd out.
Using them now, and getting them all fired up.
The usual, opening the carb drain plug and letting some gas run to clean it out a bit. Then, the EI ones, just start em up.
The points ones, I have to tear in there and clean up the points.
Would they start...? maybe, maybe not. But, either way, I still have to get in there and maintain the points to create optimal conditions. Start or not, I know the points are dirty after sitting so long...
Like Hobo said, off brands like Farmall, AC, on some, it is quite a job...

Bruce, you do a lot of good here. Seems you have a perfect candidate for some testing and comparison write-ups, if you still have your 740.
A little stealth 12v conversion with a 12v gen, and the 12v neg ground EI for a 740 is getting really cheap..........
 

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