1950 JD A - convert from magneto to distributor?

[ironandsteel]

My Wico X mag is not working on this tractor. I was starting down the road of rebuilding the mag, when I read a suggestion to convert to a delco distributor and external coil. If I do this, I'd like to upgrade to electronic ignition.

I have also heard of people converting the mag into a distributor. I think I'd like to get the real Delco distributor that came on later A tractors.

What is the best or cheapest way to go about doing this? Can I do it for much less than the $500 ish price from Steiner?

The tractor is not a show piece. I mostly want it to run reliably and the mag has always been iffy on this one.

 

[Loosehandle]

All I'm going to say is it's hard to beat a good or new magneto.

 

[Rusty wheel]

I'd rebuild the mag. not hard to do.

 

[ironandsteel]

My only concern with rebuilding the magneto is that I don't know if the magnets are weak. I have it all apart now, and I will have no trouble putting back together. I just wonder about the magnets.

 

[Fixingfarmer]

I am a fan of keyed shutoff from the seat and EI.

178488 Is the part number for the distributor right here from yesterdays tractor. 330 dollars. I would purchase the distributor first and convert to EI once it’s time for points it’s still going to cost 500 bucks but it’s split up a bit that way and it will work well enough for a couple years.

This is assuming you don’t want to go to the junkyard and pull one off it’s still going to cost 100 bucks and then you have to rebuild it.

500 is cheap for a new distributor on anything with EI. I believe the ready to go already converted brand new units from the company you mentioned are 1400.

 

[Mike(NEOhio)]

I went through my H mag. Not a hard job. Took everything apart, good cleaning, removed the coil and mad sure the contact surfaces were clean, cleaned the rotor, terminals, points, etc. I produces a real good spark in the bench test. I found a pdf online of the WICO service manual and made sure it was timed correctly. I can email you the pdf if you want.

 

[J.Wondergem]

I went through my H mag. Not a hard job. Took everything apart, good cleaning, removed the coil and mad sure the contact surfaces were clean, cleaned the rotor, terminals, points, etc. I produces a real good spark in the bench test. I found a pdf online of the WICO service manual and made sure it was timed correctly. I can email you the pdf if you want.

There also was someone on here that recharges the magnets too. But I don't remember who it was.

 

[a49deere]

Had my magneto rebuild on my 48 A, Magnets recharged, starts on first revolution whether it's 10 below or 90 degrees!

 

[used red MN]

There also was someone on here that recharges the magnets too. But I don't remember who it was.

The one I remember is Teddy52food, he had some medical issues at the first of the year and hasn’t posted on here since early January.

 

[NoDakInMN]

As a practical matter, needing to recharge the magnets isn't that common of a problem. That's sort of like changing the oil and wondering if you need new main bearings. So I'd stick with the mag. On the off chance you do need to recharge, you can make one pretty easily, just check out You Tube, or aquire one from eBay.

One tip though, don't spin the mag unless you've got it hooked up to plugs and wires or otherwise grounded. Doing otherwise has been known to be tough on the coil. Oh, and make sure your work space is free from metal filings from filing, drilling or grinding. Don't be like me and learn the hard way.

 

[Mike(NEOhio)]

As a practical matter, needing to recharge the magnets isn't that common of a problem. That's sort of like changing the oil and wondering if you need new main bearings. So I'd stick with the mag. On the off chance you do need to recharge, you can make one pretty easily, just check out You Tube, or aquire one from eBay.

One tip though, don't spin the mag unless you've got it hooked up to plugs and wires or otherwise grounded. Doing otherwise has been known to be tough on the coil. Oh, and make sure your work space is free from metal filings from filing, drilling or grinding. Don't be like me and learn the hard way.

And don't hold it in one hand and trip the coupling with the other. SUPRISE!!!! It hits the floor and something breaks.

 

[J.Wondergem]

And don't hold it in one hand and trip the coupling with the other. SUPRISE!!!! It hits the floor and something breaks.

I did that when I was a kid. My mouth felt like I bit into tin foil.

 

[used red MN]

I did that when I was a kid. My mouth felt like I bit into tin foil.

Interesting, my teeth/fillings have very little sensitivity to metal touching them, I am sensitive to a straight out electric shock. My dad would test electric circuits with his fingers, sometimes for 110v he would have to lick his finger and recheck, “yep there it is”

 

[Mike(NEOhio)]

Interesting, my teeth/fillings have very little sensitivity to metal touching them, I am sensitive to a straight out electric shock. My dad would test electric circuits with his fingers, sometimes for 110v he would have to lick his finger and recheck, “yep there it is”

I get a zinger if a stainless steel fork touches a filling.

 

[Loosehandle]

My only concern with rebuilding the magneto is that I don't know if the magnets are weak. I have it all apart now, and I will have no trouble putting back together. I just wonder about the magnets.

It's more likely you need a new coil, bearings, or impulse, can't just take it apart and put it back together.