Early production anomalies

[TylerTX_Atlanta]

I have an early production 1938 Allis Chalmers B (SN 4117). We've all run into "correct police" who point out things that aren't "right" with one tractor or another. At a tractor show, it was pointed out that my tractor has foot brakes that weren't offered until later years. I explain that I give rides to my grandchildren and did make the upgrade for safety but have the original hand brake hardware in the event my tractor ends up in a museum. More astute observers notice my magneto is made by WYCO and "genuine" AC-B's sport mags from Fairbanks Morse. These guys get a B+ for noting the obvious but miss the A grade by not recognizing the WYCO mag was manufactured to interface mechanically to my AC-B engine. Fairbanks Morse wasn't up to the manufacturing ability to meet the huge number of magnetos that AC required so while FM expanded production facilities, AC outsourced the deficit to WYCO and I have one of those rare, first production year magnetos. It still works and though I have another working FM spare mag., I'll keep the WYCO as long as it works.

 

[Steve Metcalfe]

Gotta Love the "Correct Police" don't you!!!!

 

[TylerTX_Atlanta]

Gotta Love the "Correct Police" don't you!!!!

My WYCO mag is great bait, and you should see the faces when I ask them how a WYCO mag managed to correctly interface to my Allis. ROFL

 

[Brian G. NY]

I have an early production 1938 Allis Chalmers B (SN 4117). We've all run into "correct police" who point out things that aren't "right" with one tractor or another. At a tractor show, it was pointed out that my tractor has foot brakes that weren't offered until later years. I explain that I give rides to my grandchildren and did make the upgrade for safety but have the original hand brake hardware in the event my tractor ends up in a museum. More astute observers notice my magneto is made by WYCO and "genuine" AC-B's sport mags from Fairbanks Morse. These guys get a B+ for noting the obvious but miss the A grade by not recognizing the WYCO mag was manufactured to interface mechanically to my AC-B engine. Fairbanks Morse wasn't up to the manufacturing ability to meet the huge number of magnetos that AC required so while FM expanded production facilities, AC outsourced the deficit to WYCO and I have one of those rare, first production year magnetos. It still works and though I have another working FM spare mag., I'll keep the WYCO as long as it works.

So.....where's the "pitcher"?

 

[wore out]

Gotta Love the "Correct Police" don't you!!!!

WICO (Witherby Igniter Company).

 

[Meangreen]

The correct police went off on me because my decals aren't supposedly the correct dimensions from the body lines on my WD45. Wanted me to pull them, buy a $50 book explaining the decals locations on Allis tractors and go at it again. I told them to go pound sand as the guy installing them at the factory wasn't standing there measuring exactly where each decal was placed.

 

[TylerTX_Atlanta]

So.....where's the "pitcher"?

So now look at what ya went and made me did? It's a WICO magneto. I stands corrected! Here's a pic.

 

[MMDan]

WICO (Witherby Igniter Company).

Thanks for the info. I always wondered what WICO stood for.

 

[TylerTX_Atlanta]

Thanks for the info. I always wondered what WICO stood for.

They make great magnetos too. Thanks for the worthy correction.

 

[moresmoke]

The correct police went off on me because my decals aren't supposedly the correct dimensions from the body lines on my WD45. Wanted me to pull them, buy a $50 book explaining the decals locations on Allis tractors and go at it again. I told them to go pound sand as the guy installing them at the factory wasn't standing there measuring exactly where each decal was placed.

I can verify that even today, the guy installing the decals does not measure where the go. I found myself in the position of backup decal installer a couple years ago when parts shortages were rampant. Went to see the fulltimer and see how it was done. Hold the decal up to the hood where it looked good and slap it on there. I’m sure there was and engineering spec somewhere, but it hadn’t seen the light of day in a while.

On another note as to why different brands of magneto interchange, the mounting flange is a standardized thing. 2 bolt A flange. You can also buy hydraulic pumps that fit the same mounting.

 

[shaun wallace]

I have a pair of 37 WCs with Wico mags. They both have 15 stud heads too.

 

[Butch(OH)]

Correct police are met with "I could care less what you think" when they put my stuff under thier microscopes.

 

[Gambles]

I’ve seen quite a few people who think they are “tractor police”. Don’t let it bother you. It’s your tractor and you can do whatever you want to it.
Now I’m going to show you an IH H with a spin-on oil filter. This was my dad’s tractor that I overhauled as a teenager when I was fresh out of automotive tech school. I converted it to a spin-on oil filter “just because “. I’ve show it once or twice on this site and it always gets somebody’s undies in a wad.

 

[T.R.K.]

My newest tractor is over 50 years old (1967). The oldest is 1938. . I think I am fortunate that they still run whether all their parts are 'correct' or not.

 

[wore out]

I can verify that even today, the guy installing the decals does not measure where the go. I found myself in the position of backup decal installer a couple years ago when parts shortages were rampant. Went to see the fulltimer and see how it was done. Hold the decal up to the hood where it looked good and slap it on there. I’m sure there was and engineering spec somewhere, but it hadn’t seen the light of day in a while.

On another note as to why different brands of magneto interchange, the mounting flange is a standardized thing. 2 bolt A flange. You can also buy hydraulic pumps that fit the same mounting.

While the mag mounting flange may fit/ interchange, the impulse on some mags trips when the drive slot is vertical and some trip when the drive slot is horizontal and some trip when the drive slot is at 45 degrees in between.

If you know what you are doing you can change the timing of the governor or mag drive to accommodate a variety of mags set up for a different application.

 

[ADB-Ia]

I have an early production 1938 Allis Chalmers B (SN 4117). We've all run into "correct police" who point out things that aren't "right" with one tractor or another. At a tractor show, it was pointed out that my tractor has foot brakes that weren't offered until later years. I explain that I give rides to my grandchildren and did make the upgrade for safety but have the original hand brake hardware in the event my tractor ends up in a museum. More astute observers notice my magneto is made by WYCO and "genuine" AC-B's sport mags from Fairbanks Morse. These guys get a B+ for noting the obvious but miss the A grade by not recognizing the WYCO mag was manufactured to interface mechanically to my AC-B engine. Fairbanks Morse wasn't up to the manufacturing ability to meet the huge number of magnetos that AC required so while FM expanded production facilities, AC outsourced the deficit to WYCO and I have one of those rare, first production year magnetos. It still works and though I have another working FM spare mag., I'll keep the WYCO as long as it works.

I had a TR86 New Holland combine that had a higher serial number (by any parts book) than a TR86 and lower than a TR87. It was mostly an 86 but had some parts that showed up on the 87s, and some parts that were neither 86 or 87. We had to rebuild the hydraulic valves which proved to be quite challenging. The dealer had a top notch parts guy but he was scratching his head on that one. It also had a different Ford engine than was used in their combines.

 

[Ultradog MN]

I happen to be a correct policeman - at least when it comes to the old Fords.
I never tell guys what an awful batch of parts they are driving but I'm always careful to compliment a fellow whose tractor is nicely correct.
My own tractors are such an awful mishmash of incorrectness that some people actually start to cry when they see them. They run good tho.

 

[sms]

I happen to be a correct policeman - at least when it comes to the old Fords.
I never tell guys what an awful batch of parts they are driving but I'm always careful to compliment a fellow whose tractor is nicely correct.
My own tractors are such an awful mishmash of incorrectness that some people actually start to cry when they see them. They run good tho.

Personally I used to leave some farmer modifications because that is the way it was and showed the tractor worked for a living.

 

[Watthour]

I had a '38 B (2527) which had hand brakes and the FMJ mag, but I was probably a low-life scumbag of some sort because it had an altered seat.

 

[INCase]

it is interesting that they had an alternate source for magnetos early on. AC did use WICO on other stuff so not a new supplier to the company. i suspect the FM was a cheaper mag??? = lower priced tractor. so they used them instead.

my Case 800 was not correct but never took it to a show to have anyone check it out and tell me what i already knew. i had it set up to what we needed/wanted to use.
-GM alternator,
-PS pump moved to Right side (to get PS hoses out of the way)
-fenders from a Hesston/fiat ??
-short air cleaner stack (to keep trees from busting the top)
-1030 wheatland dash (modified to fit, tach worked fine)
-extra 800 floor boards mounted on front sides (backwards) for easier on/off and nice to stand on when fueling
-1961 730 dual shifters
-massey combine seat (was on there when i got it)
-homemade 3pt top link (had case optional 3pt arms not eagle kinda rare but i have seen a few)
-lower radiator hose from a Ford van (don't remember which model but it was very close to original set up with a bit of trimming.
-1991 Plymouth Acclaim spark plug wire set

the IH 444 i have now has no modifications other than my wife's granddad had a bumper installed. my FIL had a mechanic put a new aftermarket electric fuel pump on and i think it has the wrong PTO lever. (still trying to figure that one out as it broke off at the shaft and needs replaced/welded again)
I may modify it by adding an oil pressure gage instead of the idiot light. light works but i like knowing what its reading. it has a million hours on it so it has some age.