Welcome! Please use the navigational links to explore our website.
PartsASAP LogoCompany Logo (800) 853-2651

Shop Now

   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.

Minneapolis Moline Tractors Discussion Forum
:

Magnetos or Distributor, which is better.

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register
Author 
DFZ

06-05-2005 17:22:26




Report to Moderator

I am having trouble with the Mag on my 47 utu. Somebody put a Wico XH2500 on it. How do you guys like working with mags? They are a lot more expensive to maintain arn't they? The cap alone costs $50. Or should a mag cap last that much longer than a distributor cap? I have a parts tractor available. Would it be easier puting the distributor (And changing the whole waterpump housing and front of the engine) on that tractor or fight with a mag the rest of this tractors life?

The problem with the mag is it has good spark at impluse, but weak spark when cranking. The tractor has been converted to 12v so cranking usually cranks faster than impulse. If i can get it started it runs Fair/poor. I think Alot of the problem is still the mag though...

So I guess the question is, are they worth the bother? Fix the mag, or switch it out?

[Log in to Reply]   [No Email]
sms

06-08-2005 03:43:29




Report to Moderator
 Re: Magnetos or Distributor, which is better. in reply to DFZ, 06-05-2005 17:22:26  
I have a 41 UTS, a little worn, a little smokey, with a mag- after sitting all winter I turned it twice with the crank on choke mag off, turned switch on pulled crank once and it was running. I don't even bother with a battery it starts so well. Wish they were all like that! Good Luck



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Glen in TX

06-07-2005 15:45:29




Report to Moderator
 Re: Magnetos or Distributor, which is better. in reply to DFZ, 06-05-2005 17:22:26  
That Wico XH mag you have is still made new and all the parts are available for it. Many parts aren't available for the distributors and have to find used or make them. Sounds like the impulse on mag may be worn or full of crud or the spring weak. Neither the mags or the distributors are going to run forever without some maintainance. Both will run a long time when fixed properly. Going with the distributor and later adding electronic ignition & hot coil will cost you about as much as overhauling the mag usually. Depends on what you want and what you like.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
DFZ

06-07-2005 18:42:04




Report to Moderator
 Re: Magnetos or Distributor, which is better. in reply to Glen in TX, 06-07-2005 15:45:29  
But what do you figure the annual cost of each would be? I run the tractor about 80 hours a year doing really light work, pulling wagons. How long would you expect a mag cap to last, versus a distributor cap?



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Glen in TX

06-07-2005 22:46:11




Report to Moderator
 Re: Magnetos or Distributor, which is better. in reply to DFZ, 06-07-2005 18:42:04  
There is no way to predict that without knowing the condition of your engine, spark plugs, wires, fuel system and all. They all work together and can shorten the life of the other without proper maintainance. The distributor will work no better than a mag unless it is good condition with good wires and plugs and good hot coil and a good battery kept charged by a charging system, good starter and proper wiring with a cutoff switch of some type. Just more to go wrong. That is why mags were used on industrial engine applications because you can have a spare and change it out and go again without a bunch of wire tracing headaches and hand cranking could be done without a battery. I would use a mag but it just boils down to what you want.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Brian(MN)

06-06-2005 05:09:36




Report to Moderator
 Re: Magnetos or Distributor, which is better. in reply to DFZ, 06-05-2005 17:22:26  
My 2 cents here; I have several tractors with magnetos, (MMR, MMZ, AC-WC, JD-B), the mags worked when I got them and I have had no trouble or maintanence costs with them. I keep them shedded and They start easy. The distributor system has the usual battery problems, and the generating headaches. I think if I was faced with your choice, I would go with a distributor system. A U cranks too hard to use a mag alone.
Brian(MN)

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Curt Cooke

06-06-2005 06:49:45




Report to Moderator
 Re: Magnetos or Distributor, which is better. in reply to Brian(MN), 06-06-2005 05:09:36  
I'd go with a dist. if it was an easy change. If it required significant effort, I'd stay with a mag. Historically, I've had much more trouble with distributors than mags. Perhaps that's why magnetos are used on airplane engines.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
[Options]  [Printer Friendly]  [Posting Help]  [Return to Forum]   [Log in to Reply]

Hop to:


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