Magneto ID questions

Rich'sToys

Well-known Member
Location
Southern MN
I have several hand crank tractors with mags. Most have never had the points changed since I've owned them. A couple of them have been getting harder to start so I'm thinking it's about time. Any name tags or ID of any kind has been lost or rubbed off, so not exactly sure what I have here. I want to be sure and get the correct parts ordered. Wondering if anyone can help.

1. Allis Chalmers WC:

45650.jpg


2. Minneapolis Moline JT:

45651.jpg


3. Farmall H. Is this the one they refer to as an H 4?

45652.jpg


4. Another Farmall H. This one says Fairbanks Morse, Type FM, but the vendor catalogs I have do not list this mag as an option for the H. Does anyone know what else this mag would have been used on, so that I can find points for it?

45653.jpg


Thanks in advance for your help!
 
The Fairbanks Morse is a common one used by AC. At least on the WD, B, C, etc. I'm not familiar with what came on the WC, but it's the same engine as the WD.
 
There are a lot of guys listed in green magazine and such who do mags.
Give them a call and it will be one stop shopping. Many years ago my
dad used to fix mags and he had boatloads of that stuff and they are
all different.
 
Yes, #3 is an "H4".

NOT so sure about your plan to replace points in wholesale quantities, though. With the quality of replacement parts nowadays I wouldn't replace mag points without a good reason.

In my experience, failed mag points typically cause a "no start" or possibly a "miss", I seriously doubt that points are causing all your delayed start issues.

For sure, I'd check for spark while cranking, and think twice before replacing all those points just for the heck of it.
 
(quoted from post at 22:07:12 02/15/17) Yes, #3 is an "H4".

NOT so sure about your plan to replace points in wholesale quantities, though. With the quality of replacement parts nowadays I wouldn't replace mag points without a good reason.

In my experience, failed mag points typically cause a "no start" or possibly a "miss", I seriously doubt that points are causing all your delayed start issues.

For sure, I'd check for spark while cranking, and think twice before replacing all those points just for the heck of it.
X2 on that. If your points are not burnt to no end the probably just need a cleaning.
 
Thanks for all the replies.
I DO plan to clean them up first and try that, but just thinking ahead in case I do end up replacing any of them. I know it's been many years since some of them were replaced--not that the tractors get used that much.
I would still like to know what brand those mags are, just for my own information if nothing else. The more info a person has, the better off one is I think. And If I do end up replacing parts down the road at least I know what I'm dealing with.
 
The top two are Bosch. I have little experience with them.

The farmall is an H4. Parts for there are easy to find and not
expensive.

The last photo is a type J fairbanks morse. Distributor caps are
pricey. This mag has a set of internal gears that must be timed
correctly when you reinstall the cap. You also need to make sure
the fiber gear does not hit the condenser. If it does the teeth on
the gear will not last long. That's a $60 gear.

I have never had a problem with aftermarket points or condenser. I
repair about 40 H4 magnetos every year plus a few FM and Wicos

You can find all the parts you need at McDonald carb.com
 
(quoted from post at 07:28:34 02/16/17) Thanks for all the replies.
I DO plan to clean them up first and try that, but just thinking ahead in case I do end up replacing any of them. I know it's been many years since some of them were replaced--not that the tractors get used that much.
I would still like to know what brand those mags are, just for my own information if nothing else. The more info a person has, the better off one is I think. And If I do end up replacing parts down the road at least I know what I'm dealing with.
It is nice to have parts like that on hand.
 
There are a lot of inferior points for mags . Use the Fairbanks -Morse points in that mag and it will be a set of real magneto points which are different from Batt/ coil points.
 

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