TRACTOR PARTS Allis Chalmers Case & David Brown Farmall & International Ferguson Ford & New Holland John Deere Massey Ferguson Massey Harris Minneapolis Moline Oliver & Cockshutt Kubota / Yanmar

TRACTOR MANUALS

Allis Chalmers	Case	Farmall IH	Ford 8N,9N,2N	Ford
Ferguson	John Deere	Massey Ferguson	Minn. Moline	Oliver

Attention Forum Users: On the 28th of December 2023 at 9:00am Central Time, we will be taking the forums down for maintenance while we prepare the new forums for your use. Please click here for more information.

Harry Ferguson Tractors Discussion Forum

Pertronics Question

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register

Author

Ron L

05-30-2006 05:46:29

Report to Moderator

Hello guys,

I am on a quest to cure my hard starting problem on my TO30 with original 6 volt system. Been through all the simple checks and fixes with grounds etc. Generator checked good, regulator still needs to be tweeked up abit. Only puts out 6.5 volts, so the batt is a little weak. So it starts hard when hot. But I would like to get any feedback from anyone who has used the Pertronics system with the 6 volt system, and not converted to 12v. I think I have seen on here that people like the Pertronics but I need to know if they have used it with 6 volts.

Thanks, Ron

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Ron L

05-31-2006 04:21:10

Report to Moderator

Re: Pertronics Question in reply to Ron L, 05-30-2006 05:46:29

Thanks you for your input from Jerry, Bob and Bob in Ky. I have replaced most of the wiring and will install new batt and starter cables soon. Will try again to adjust the regulator but as you say Jerry, it is very touchy. If I can get the charge system right, I will try the pertronix and from what you guys say, it should make a nice difference. I have the system in my 55 Chevy and like it a lot.
Thanks again, Ron

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

BobinKY

05-30-2006 20:40:05

Report to Moderator

Re: Pertronics Question in reply to Ron L, 05-30-2006 05:46:29

I have just completed my restoration of a 1955 To 35. I restored the electrical system back to 6 volt but I put the Petronix kit in it. So far, it is working like a charm. The old girl starts right up and runs with lots of power. Understand that I replaced every component in the electrical system so I do not have the problems with the gremlins inherent in 50 year old wiring. I first gapped my plugs to 40 but I was not satisfied with how it ran so I closed them up to about 32 and it seemed to make a big difference. Unfortunately, the instructions do not address spark plug gap, but the automobiles went from 30 to 35 in the old points distributors to 40 to 45 in the new HEI stuff. I just can't help tinkering with stuff. By the way, I finished my old Allis Chalmers 48' WD last year with a Petronix on the 12 volt conversion and I love it. You won't be disappointed.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Jerry/MT

05-31-2006 16:41:36

Report to Moderator

Re: Pertronics Question in reply to BobinKY, 05-30-2006 20:40:05

It's my understanding that Pertronix recommends you enlarge the plug gaps only if you put in their "super coil". The cars went to enlarged gaps not because of just the breakerless distributor, they had much "hotter" coils that induced much higher voltage so they could take advantage of the bigger gap. I am going to open up the gap on my Pertronix and see if it makes any difference and see if I can replicate your results.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Jerry/MT

05-30-2006 13:37:01

Report to Moderator

Re: Pertronics Question in reply to Ron L, 05-30-2006 05:46:29

Your question brings up an issue that seldom gets discussed in these forums regarding the effect of the charging system on the ignition system. I'll probably catch some flack from purists about this statement but a six volt electrical system is a marginal system from the standpoint of spark ignition systems. It has to be working "spot on" to be reliable. That is the charging system must keep the battery at 7.3 volt with little plus or minus variation. Too much voltage and the coil can overheat and the points can burn. Too little voltage and the spark is too week and starts are difficult, engine will miss at high speed, etc. Even if everything else is "right on", as the hours of running time build up, the spark plug reistance builds up with use and they become more difficult to fire.
The voltage regulators on six volt systems are mechanical and are not the most reliable or accurate and, in my opinion, are not easy to adjust. That, coupled with the fact that they are made in places where quality contol is virtually unheard of, compounds the problem.

Regardless of whether you convert to the 6V, (+) ground Pertronix or stay with your OEM system, you need to get your charging system running the way it was designed to operate if you are to get the benefits of electronic ignition.

Sorry for the long reply. I have a Pertronix on my 12V TO-30 and I love it. Mine is a working machine and nothing gravels me more than getting on a tractor and not having it start. I don't need more experience setting points. I've done enough of that!
P.S. Make sure that your distributor shaft and bushing is not worn out and that your advance mechanism is working properly while you're working on your ignition system. A badly worn distributor makes for poor ignition performance also.
P.S.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Bob

05-30-2006 06:34:41

Report to Moderator

Re: Pertronix Question in reply to Ron L, 05-30-2006 05:46:29

For many applications, Pertronix makes separate kits for BOTH 12-Volt and 6-Volt applications, even (+) ground 6-Volt systems.

That being said, if battery voltage drops below a certain threshhold level while cranking, the electronics can't function, and there will be NO spark.

So, even with a Pertronix system, you need to get the charging voltage up to where it's supposed to be.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

[Options] [Printer Friendly] [Posting Help] [Return to Forum] [Log in to Reply]

TRACTOR PARTS	TRACTOR MANUALS

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]

Home | Forums

Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy