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I have a 1948 Farmall MD that Has been stored in my Dads Shop since my brother caught it on fire picking corn several years ago. The wiring has been completely burnt off. It has a 12 volt battery in it and a distributer/coil and 12 volt generator. I have cleaned it up and fixed all but the wiring. I'm at a loss on how it should be done and my father is in no condition to be of assistance. Any information or guidance would be greatly appreciated.
 
You can buy a wiring harness. Since it still has a generator, even though it's been converted to 12v, it will be real close to original. Wiring on the old tractors was simple, don't be afraid of it. Find a schematic, or the harness might come with one. The harness will lay in where it belongs, connect the wires one at a time, think about each wire and it's function, and it won't be overwhelming.

Depending on how hot it got, and what got hot, have the starter, generator, regulator, ignition switch, any other switches, and coil been replaced/checked? Don't want mystery problems cropping up when you're done wiring it.

Don't be afraid to ask questions!
 
I have looked for wiring harnesses for the MD without success. Also the harnesses I have looked at are quite expensive. I was hoping to find a schematic to help with getting it back in the field.
 
(quoted from post at 06:34:08 07/13/15) I have looked for wiring harnesses for the MD without success. Also the harnesses I have looked at are quite expensive. I was hoping to find a schematic to help with getting it back in the field.

Do a Google search for BobMs wiring diagrams. Easy to read and follow. Much better even than the wiring diagram in the owners manual.

If I'm not mistaken, the MD was 12 volt from the factory.
 
If you rewire one system at a time. It won't be very difficult.
The ignition system. Start at the amp meter. One wire from the amp meter to the on off switch. From the switch to the coil. A short wire from coil to distributor.

If you clean all the paint of the generator. Near each terminal there will be a letter. The regulator will have matching letters on each terminal.
 
In addition to being 12 volt from the factory, it was POSITIVE ground if you wish to keep it original. The generator doesn't care about polarity if you polarize it correctly, but the regulator (if used) might.
 
(quoted from post at 08:09:03 07/14/15) In addition to being 12 volt from the factory, it was POSITIVE ground if you wish to keep it original. The generator doesn't care about polarity if you polarize it correctly, but the regulator (if used) might.
Your the second person who has said the MD was 12 volt from the factory. Good info. I assumed it was 6 volt. Thank you, very helpful.
 
John Brillman, (The Brillman Co.) will have everything you want. PH. no. 888 274-5562. He has battery cables, spark plug wire (cut to fit) and wiring harness cut to fit, color coded with instructions included. Even has alternators if you want to go that route. I have had great success with his products and he is a nice guy to deal with.
 

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