little OT, converting a mag to battery igntion...point gap

[NoNewParts]

a little off topic, and the wrong color tractor....

when converting a WICO XH magneto to battery ignition by
adding an external round coil (12v battery)
(no money for a new mag coil and a pile of round coils in the corner..)

should I stay with the narrow mag point gap or open it
up a little to the dist spec?
(I've swapped in a dist condenser already)

tractor runs fine with the external coil and narrow mag point gap setting.
just wondering...............
thanks
 

[souNdguy]

can you open it up much? surely won't hurt the coil or the condensor. lotsa lil changes are happening when you change gap, including duty cycle...
 

[NoNewParts]

[ZANE]

Leave it alone. Actually the condenser didn't have to be changed either.

Opening up the points would change the ignition timing and if it is hand cranked engine you sure don't want it to fire any earlier which opening up the points would make it do. Ever had your arm etc hit by a backlash hand crank??? Hurts!

Zane
 

[souNdguy]

do you hand crank it off a flywheel?
 

[old]

If it is a 2 cylinder JD there is no crank to hurt you. You spin the flywheel and yes it can back lash but when it does so you just loose grip on the flywheel I know I crank one off and on a lot
 

[old]

I would leave it as it is and see how it runs. If it runs fine then go for it if not maybe try 0.018. Plus is this a hand crank JD or a battery ignition system JD that in it self could make a difference
 

[NoNewParts]

Thanks for the reply's guys
electric start late B, with the WICO XH magneto
has petcocks underneath, and I have started it
by spinning the flywheel manually with the cover off....with gloves cuz of the flywheel teeth
(engine was stuck, carb rusted badly, crankcase full of muck, but it's running good now)
Probably will get a mag coil eventually and switch it back stock as it
is turning out to be a decent tractor.
Just didn't want to spend money till I found that out.

ps, when/if I get it stock, I'll ask stuff on the green board.
good, smart, guys there too, but they are not amused
with 'cobbing' a green machine.
appreciate your advice/help until then
 

[ZANE]

I have a 1937 model B John Deere myself so I know of what you speak. I've had mine kick back a few times and then try to run backwards a few licks. It's hard on the fingers when it does it.

Zane
 

[old]

Yep hard on the fingers but sure a lot better then them hand cranks that can/will break your arm but then I have or had tractors of both types and I'll take my hand start JD-B over ANY crank handle type tractor
 

[W_B]

Got a lesson in hand cranking pretty early. Dad broke his hand cranking a Farmall Cub back in the late '60's when the battery died and he couldn't get anything to it to jump start it. Taught us all the right way to do it and not get hurt.