Farmall Cub Magneto

Farmall1820 · Jan 28, 2020

I have a 1950 Farmall cub and I just switched the distributer to
magneto.Is there a wire I?m hooking up wrong or something.

Bob · Jan 28, 2020

If I understand you correctly you have removed a distributor and installed a magneto.

If that is true, I hope you have not connected the wire to the screw terminal on the side of the mag UNLESS you have changed to wiring over so it no longer provides power to the ignition system, but rather now has the one-terminal "kill" switch that grounds out the mag to stop the engine.

Distributors require battery power to make a spark, magnetos make their own power, and if power is accidentally connected to them, likely they will be damaged.

Farmall1820 · Jan 28, 2020

Thank I bolted it on but did not hook any wires up.

Bob · Jan 28, 2020

(quoted from post at 12:43:04 01/28/20) Thank I bolted it on but did not hook any wires up.

GOOD to hear!

As I said in my other post, get the "magneto-style" one-terminal switch and run a wire from that switch to the screw terminal on the mag.

Be sure there's NO interconnection between the battery/electrical system and the magneto.

https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/Farmall-Cub_Ignition-Switch_R2721.html

caterpillar guy · Jan 29, 2020

Could he not use the same switch with the second wire on it connected to ground so when he pulled it out it would ground it and in would run? I've never fooled with this mag change over stuff so just wondered. If so it would save him buying a new switch.

Ken Hansen · Jan 29, 2020

(quoted from post at 08:23:24 01/29/20) Could he not use the same switch with the second wire on it connected to ground so when he pulled it out it would ground it and in would run? I've never fooled with this mag change over stuff so just wondered. If so it would save him buying a new switch.

And the other thing is if he does not understand how to wire the kill switch to a magneto does he know how to time a magneto?

And an even bigger question might be are we/he sure the magneto is a working one?

Just a few of the unknowns that could make this an impossible to answer question. Not saying I don't want to help but just that there is too much information lacking to feel confident making suggestions.

And just for fun one question would be "WHY" why replace a distributor with a magneto? I could make arguments either way and not trying to say either would be wrong just wondering the reason for the change.

Just to be up front I have a BN with a magneto but if someone was to "give" me a distributor to fit it I would take it and put it on shelf for future use! Any offers?

John M · Jan 29, 2020

So whats wrong?

Bob · Jan 29, 2020

(quoted from post at 07:23:24 01/29/20) Could he not use the same switch with the second wire on it connected to ground so when he pulled it out it would ground it and in would run? I've never fooled with this mag change over stuff so just wondered. If so it would save him buying a new switch.

Sure, that works, and I've done it, it's just a bit counter-intuitive to "push to run, pull to stop", and if the operator doesn't stop and think, or if someone else needs to start it, it would be easy to try starting it with the switch pulled up, and wonder why it won;t fire.

Farmall Cub Magneto

Farmall1820

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Bob

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Farmall1820

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Bob

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caterpillar guy

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Ken Hansen

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John M

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Bob

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