O. T. Add on electronic ignition question

jm. · Jun 26, 2012

I have had several little IH scouts over the years, Came up on a 1979 nice little 4 cylinder the other day. Have seen several of the v 8s with pertronix conversion on the igintion but this one has something strange. Definately been convreted but can,t make out the brand. Small gold box and normal wires but at the distributor the vacum advance hose has been pulled off AND PLUGED. Not just a case of the hose getting nocked off. Thing starts and runs so /so I was just wondering if anyone ever saw a conversion that did not use an advance. Nosey me I unpluged the pluged line and stuck it back on, seemed to cause a small hesitation when given gas, if anything truck ran worse..Runs OK withou the line but does not start as good as I would like.
Thinking of putting a timing light on the thing.

Paul from MI · Jun 26, 2012

I"d check the timing with a light, then use the timing light to see if the advance is even working at all. That is just a start, ight be other problems too.

Gambles · Jun 26, 2012

International used to buy from the lowest bidder. During this era, it was probably Prestolite. See if you can find a factory wiring and vacuum diagram.

jm. · Jun 26, 2012

Forge the above ..Just figured the thing out. Has late model IH brand electronic ig. he distributor does hav e both mechanical and vacum advance functions..Strange how finding a factory service manual can make things work.. Got this little truck humming even if I did have to drag out the old SUN service system.

jm. · Jun 27, 2012

Thanks to bot of you ..It does appear to be factor instaled but not sure yet what it is . Distributor does NOT have the prestolite tag. Did pput the iming light on it and advance is working BUT works LESS with that vacum line hooked up if that makes sense.. Also someone has put NEW plug wires on but has them zip tied all togethere. When we were running these ih engines was,n it a big deal to keep the plug wires routed coretly and in those little plastice stan off brackets. Going to re do that mess next. Thank bot of you for the reply.

Gambles · Jun 27, 2012

30+ years ago, I went to a Vo-Tech school for auto mechanics. We fixed vehicles that customers would bring in. (Not sure if schools are allowed to do that anymore. Can you imagine the liability?) Anyway, somebody had brought in an old International bus that needed the alternator repaired. Instead of taking the easy way out and putting on a Delco, our instructors made us fix the original alternator on it...an alternator that was actually made by International themselves. I've never seen another IH alternator like that in my life, and I bet you couldn't find parts for it today.
Good luck.

greygoat · Jun 27, 2012

It seems to me that I read, about 15 years ago,
that those "Little gold box"s" were impossible to
get, so, I was at a Junkyard, and paid $5 each
for 2. They"re around here in a box someplace.
It may take 2-3 day or 2-3 weeks to find them.
When I go, the wife will throw all of my "Good
Junk" in a dumpster!

jm. · Jun 27, 2012

If you find them send me an e-mail direct with what you want for them or at least one . Would be good to have a spare.. Jerry in Tn.

O. T. Add on electronic ignition question

jm.

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Paul from MI

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Gambles

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jm.

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jm.

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Gambles

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greygoat

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jm.

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