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JD B elect. ignition

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KEG

03-13-2002 10:16:40




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The thread on the fouled JD B spark plugs (just posted prior to this message) has several references to electronic ignition. Since I will be rebuilding the magneto on my JD B, could someone help me understand the pluses/minuses of putting in an electronic ignition. Do I need to decide before rebuilding the mag? Is it worth it?

As always, thanks for the help,
KEG




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ChuckW

03-14-2002 05:10:25




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 Re: JD B elect. ignition in reply to KEG, 03-13-2002 10:16:40  
from post didn't know it was a hand cranker. I'd keep the mag,have it rebuilt. A mag is much hotter than convienantal ignition. I'm in a tractor club with 50 so members and all of them are constantly messing with points. I've shown them the advantage of electronic, you cannot visibly tell the difference on my 2 520's and 530. As a matter of fact I took a water hoze to the distributor and it still started. Try that on regular ignition. The electronic is the best thing I've done to the old tractors.

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John T

03-14-2002 04:15:57




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 Re: JD B elect. ignition in reply to KEG, 03-13-2002 10:16:40  
Keg, I would stick with the original mag on an old hand cranker to keep her original. If you want an electronic ignition (which are far superior due to increased spark energy) you have to buy an entire new unit (try Genessee) and convert to a battery powered ignition, but since shes a hand cranker, thats not real practical. If its a Wico mag I would install a new set of contact points gapped to 0.015, maybe have the magnet remagnetized, and I like the higher performance coils (Robert beaver sells them) you can buy for only a few more dollars than the regular ones. While its true the coil only ramps up to the voltage sufficient to jump the spark plug gap (old or high performance coil would fire at same voltage), if the high performance coil has superior materials and is more energy efficient (better magnetic coupling and iron to transfer more energy from primary to secondary with less heat losses) you will dump more energy (volts times amps) across the plug gap to betetr initiate combustion. If shes Styled I like Autolite 388 or 3077 if Unstyled plugs, so tune up the mag, add new plugs and wires, time her correct, and let us know. Also, the mag needs a good strong impulse spring and trip, otherwise at hand cranking you get a very weak spark. Ol John T Nordhoff in Indiana

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KEG

03-13-2002 18:56:12




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 Re: JD B elect. ignition in reply to KEG, 03-13-2002 10:16:40  
Thanks for the help. I forgot to mention that its a handstart tractor. Since I just got it, I am anxious to try your suggestions and see what happens.

KEG



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Clooney

03-13-2002 16:33:55




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 Re: JD B elect. ignition in reply to KEG, 03-13-2002 10:16:40  
KEG, unless you want to buy a complete distributor you won't be able to install an electronic ignition. It would be almost impossible to install in your mag.
~You didn't say what kind of mag you are working with, but if a Wico C or X there are things you can do to make it produce a better spark. If a Wico C you can turn it into a distributor with the addition of an external coil & just use the points/condenser in the mag. You can put a high performance mag coil in the X to increase the KV output some.
~While an electronic ignition can improve a poor performing ignition system it is still somewhat limited by the ignition coil & to get the better performance associated with the electronic ignition you will also need a new high performance coil.
~All my personal gas & all-fuel tractors have conventional original ignition systems with either point/coil/distributor or different type mags & they all start good, idle good, run good & I don't foul spark plugs (I use Champions in most). I do use a little hotter plug in most & on all but the work tractors use 2 gaskets between the plug & head.
~On the ones with mags I don't use the hot coil as I personally don't believe there is any gain on a stock low compression engine. I do get the rotors re-magnetized on the mag when I overhaul them & make sure the bushings & all internal parts are good & set correctly. I almost always install a new coil in the mag (Wico C & X) & remove all the internal rust from the coil core & rotor. On the Edison-Splitdorf's & Fairbanks-Morse I have the rotor re-magnetized but usually don't install a new coil unless the old one isn't serviceable.
~One of the best things you can do on the old Deere's (either mag or distributor) is to install new plug wires & points, I usually don't install new condensers as they very seldom go bad & you have about as much chance getting a new bad one as the old one failing.
~On the mags (& distributors) make sure all the internal ground wires are good & making good case contact & there isn't any cracks, carbon lines or corroded contacts in the cap & the rotor isn't arcing internally between the rotor & shaft.

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ChuckW

03-13-2002 10:35:41




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 Re: JD B elect. ignition in reply to KEG, 03-13-2002 10:16:40  
if your B has battery start you can go electronic by adding later model delco distributor commonly used on the 50/60/70. Pluses of electronic is about 35,000-40,000 volts, no points to foul up, easier starting and better performance. Everything in the world has it but most of these old tractors. Most of the plug fouling is blamed on the plugs when it is low voltage ignition to blame.



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