Little M Coils

Hey! I dont know a whole lot about tractors, but I am slowly learning. We have a '53 Farmall M that we are converting from 6 volt to 12 volt. I was told that I need a new coil with a built in resistor. Now, I dont know what a coil is, I looked it up on google images, and I saw a lot of stuff related to this. So I took this chunk off of the tractor. Can anyone tell me what the coil is? Is it on this piece?

https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-0/cp0/e15/q65/s526x296/30571593_10156186556484763_5428749412723589120_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&efg=eyJpIjoiYiJ9&oh=9c4f54cd3c16bdc4d4d798e3de3251de&oe=5B757ACA

Thanks.
Rase McLean
Ranch Hand
www.blackcoffeeranch.com

Should look something like this.

Do you know where that would be located on the Farmall M?

Here ya go.

The photos you linked are of a MAGNETO. They are self-powered are NOT affected by converting the starting and charging systems to 12 Volts. The wire connected to them goes to a switch that shorts it to ground to stop the engine as needed.

REPEAT.... If your tractor has a magneto, there is NO connection between the ignition and charging/starting systems, and attempting to feed battery power into a magneto will cause seriou$$$$$$$ damage.

(Sometimes broken magnetos have been converted to distributors/battery ignition systems,but at this point we have no reason to believe yours has.)

Was the tractor previously running? If so, now you are faced with putting the mag back together and getting it correctly timed to the engine.

Should have asked this question before removing it!

For your assistance, here's a link to the official IH Blue Ribbon Magneto manual, giving repair instructions and explaining how to install/time your H-4 magneto to your engine.

http://farmallcub.com/rudi_cub/www.cleancomputes.com/Cub/Blue%20Ribbon%20Service%20Manuals/GSS-5035%20Service%20Manual%20Magnetos/index.html

(Copy and paste this link into your browser.)

(quoted from post at 14:07:24 04/10/18) Here ya go.

Click to expand...

onefarmer, he posted photos of his MAGNETO, you posted photos of a distributor/battery ignition system.

Don't suppose there's any confusion here, do you?

Here's the photos from the original post, of a magneto.

why not just put a resister ahead of the coil thats on there now

Wow! That was a can that should have never been opened!

Ok. So It appears I have the magnetto coils as you say. So... Converting it to 6 volt... I replace the starter, the battery, the alternator... What else? Do I have to do anything about the coils?
Thanks for bearing with me...

(quoted from post at 21:17:02 04/10/18) Ok. So It appears I have the magnetto coils as you say. So... Converting it to 6 volt... I replace the starter, the battery, the alternator... What else? Do I have to do anything about the coils?
Thanks for bearing with me...

Click to expand...

OK, ONE more time... you have a magneto.

Magnetos generate their own power, they are independent of the rest of the tractor's electrical system. If you can get it back together and working and timed to the tractor all will be well with the ignition system, with NO "mods".

Keep the original mag "kill" switch and resist ANY temptation to connect it in any way with the 12 Volt system or you will fry the mag.

Typically, a 6 Volt starter will work and last OK on 12 Volts, it's not imperative that you change it at this time.

So you need a 12 Volt battery and generator and regulator, or a 12 Volt ALTERNATOR with internal regulator, and info on how to connect up the one you choose to make it work. Post back when you are ready for info on that.

If not previously done, also need to swap the wires between the two post on the alternator, or it will read backwards.

Ford Guy welcome to YT, I saw this thread last night but I was not sure how the respond. As far as your question I think Bob has you pretty well covered answer wise. Reading up on the magneto in the link he supplied should get you well on your way to understanding the workings of a magneto ignition. What I want to say is looking at your website you are likely a fine young man from a fine family. I don’t know what you know about tractors or engines. Whatever the case there are plenty of folks on this site that are willing to help you because you show an interest in..old stuff... Now some may come across a little cross a times that is something you’ll just have to learn to put up with. Okay, getting to the point, folks are willing to help but in general prefer to not have to address an item that came about due to lack of knowledge that could have easily been avoided by practicing...ask before leaping. Now may be bad on my part assuming the magneto you sent pictures of came off your tractor. If so then by Bob’s answer you should know the removal was wasted effort. So hope you can take this as constructive criticism and moving forward make sure you have gathered the necessary knowledge before taking action. Please don’t follow in Wiley’s foot steps. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Upt7ZTvcriY Looking forward to seeing you driving that M around all high and proud...Good luck.

Thank you Bob for answering my question. I talked with my brother, who is a mechanic. He is a mechanic for cars and trucks, but with the information, that gives him a good start to go off of if you know what I mean. Ok... So I got a couple more questions. Indeed, used red MN, I regret to inform you that the pictured one is from our tractor. Which it appears I shouldn't have removed it in the first place. Now, what I am wondering is can I put regular coils back into the slot? would it be better or anything? Or should I stick with my magnetto? As you mentioned something about it being a pain with the timing?
I guess I did not see Bob's first post. used red MN just brought it to my attention. Yes, the tractor was running until the starter went shazbut. So far I got the starter re built. To show my knowledge of these things... or lack there of... I took the distributor cab and spark plug wires off originally thinking they were the coils! Lol!
Thanks for the help!
Thank you used red MN! I am looking foreward to getting it going as well, so I can use the forks to remove the bucket from the Farmall 706 so we can use it for haying!