51 John Deere Model A, unknown part

Catch84 · Oct 29, 2019

My son is working on this tractor for a friend of ours so I am getting second hand information. This piece is apparently in line with the ignition wiring and one end of the wire has been burnt in two. I'm assuming it's some sort of ballast resistor but thought I would defer to the experts! Any ideas?

Bob · Oct 29, 2019

WICO made an "XB" battery ignition distributor that looks like a magneto.

The part you have (ballast resistor) is supposed to be installed in the distributor housing.

<img src = "http://photos.yesterdaystractors.com/gallery/uptest/a163640.jpg".

Catch84 · Oct 29, 2019

Awesome! Thanks for the quick reply!! Would you know if there is a replacement part for this, or can you substitute a regular ballast resistor?

Catch84 · Oct 29, 2019

disregard, I found one here!

https://brillman.com/product-category/products/products-c-distributors-magnetos/products-c-distributors-magnetos-distributor-parts/products-c-distributors-magnetos-distributor-parts-wico-ditributor-parts/products-c-distributors-magnetos-distributor-parts-wico-ditributor-parts-wico-xb-distributor-parts/

Bob · Oct 29, 2019

(quoted from post at 11:01:02 10/29/19)
Awesome! Thanks for the quick reply!! Would you know if there is a replacement part for this, or can you substitute a regular ballast resistor?

As I understood your first post, you found the resistor hanging in the wiring somewhere?

Are you using an "XB" distibutor?

If so, what's now in the opening in the distributor body where the resistor is supposed to be?

As I understand it, the internal coil in the WICO "XB" is rather fragile, and they used a ballast resistor that drops the voltage more than in some other ignition systems paired with it.

So, if you actually have an "XB" distributor you need that particular resistor.

If using another brand of battery ignition distributor there are lots of other choices for ballast resistors (if running 12 Volts), or simply get a "true" 12 Volt coil.

If you GOOGLE "WICO XB resistor" several sources will come up including the Brillman Company, which seems to have a very good reputation around here.

Mark-Ia · Oct 29, 2019

Those XB distributors were no good when they were new. A Delco Distributor off a late A, B ,50 60 or 70 would be a better choice.

Catch84 · Oct 29, 2019

Thanks for everybody's contribution!! Saying it was "inline with the ignition wiring" was a misunderstanding on my part due to it being second hand information. It does sound like they were trying to run it on 12 volts and I have made the recommendation that they try to find a Delco distributor if they want to continue with 12 volts.

Rich'sToys · Oct 29, 2019

(quoted from post at 11:47:04 10/29/19) Thanks for everybody's contribution!! Saying it was "inline with the ignition wiring" was a misunderstanding on my part due to it being second hand information. It does sound like they were trying to run it on 12 volts and I have made the recommendation that they try to find a Delco distributor if they want to continue with 12 volts.

They will definitely want to stay with 12 volts, as that is how it came from the factory!

51 John Deere Model A, unknown part

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