Distributor question Farmall h

[23afdahlbo]

I apologize if this is a silly question but this is my first tractor. I have a 1946 Farmall h that to my knowledge is all original. I have been looking at converting it to twelve volt, and I saw that converting the distributor to electronic ignition is also a good engine "update." I went out to look at the distributor, and I found that it is a vertical type. So, my question is: when converting to 12 volt, I assume I have to switch out the distributor as well, so does a new distributor from Steiner or other brands have electronic ignition, or would I still have to buy the kit?

Thank you in advance

 

[55 50 Ron]

You do not have to change the distributor. But you do need to be sure you covert the coil. It is possible to buy a new coil that does not need a resistor or if you retain the original 6V coil you need to add an inline (series for the EEs) resistor to the input side of the coil. Input side is the wire from the ignition switch.

 

[jal-SD]

Points & condenser don't care if they are powered by 6v or 12v, only the coil. Those right-angled Delco distributors were a replacements for tired mags in the 50's. I remember going to the local IH dealership to talk about rehabilitation of a mag with my Dad. Parts guy pulled a new Delco distributor out & told Dad "I can sell you this cheeper than the shop can repair the mag." It went home with us. It's still on the 44 H that I still have.

 

[Steve@Advance]

The electronic conversion kit goes inside the original distributor.

You might be able to buy a distributor already set up for electronic, but it is too easy to just add it to your distributor. Unless it is broken or beyond use, just convert it.

I see the tag is still on the distributor, so a call to Pertronix with the distributor number will get you the correct kit.

They may try to sell you a high performance coil, but you don't need it. A NAPA IC14SB is a true 12v coil that does not need a resistor. Or you can keep your coil and add a 1.5 ohm resistor. This is a necessary step. Using the wrong coil will overload the Pertronix unit, overheat the coil, and cause one or both to fail.

A set of spiral core resistor plug wires is recommended, which can be bought through this site or Pertronix.

About the kit, it is only a points eliminator, that is all it does. The distributor still needs the centrifugal advance to work, and all the other ignition components need to be in good working order.

 

[wore out]

I suggest doing the 12 Volt conversion first and only after that's done and working, move on to EI IF you insist.

When you change everything at once and have a problem it's harder to sort out.

EI isn't necessarily an "upgrade", a quality set of breaker points can work for 20 years, an EI SHOULD work longer, and usually does, but there are occasional failures.

If you lose spark with breaker points they can be filed and the tractor will start and finish the job you are doing and get back to the shed to await new points.

If you have the more rare but still possible EI failure the tractor is DEAD where 'it's at 'til a new EI unit can be obtained and installed.

 

[DeltaSteve]

Disrributor does not need to be changed. It will work equally well useing 6 or 12 volts.However,the coil will need 'attension'.Either a resistor,or a 12V coil.But it will run for short time on the 6 volt coil.