Electronic ignition

[drastic dave]

Thinking of getting electronic ignition for my Jd 520. Just
wondering if anybody has installed one and If they like it.

 

[johnofnewhaven]

I did on my Ford 3000. No problems and was very easy. It's been about 2 years since I installed it. Don't leave the ignition/key on when it's not running because it can burn it up from what I was told and folks on here has said.

 

[XTroop]

I did on my 520. I love it!

 

[MSD]

Make sure you get the correct polarity for it. I assume your still positive ground?

 

[Bob]

(quoted from post at 20:47:00 09/18/19) Thinking of getting electronic ignition for my Jd 520. Just
wondering if anybody has installed one and If they like it.

Are you considering some sort of "high energy ignition", or just the basic relatively fragile and overpriced electronic switch/breaker point replacement that so many wet themselves over?

NO comparison between a true "HEI" of the type we have become accustomed to on modern vehicles, and those "electronic replacement for points" units in spark "hotness", or reliability.

 

[Tree-Farmer]

Bob,
Can you tell me more? What s the difference between the low quality and the high energy/quality that you re describing?
What would you look for when you want to buy a higher quality electronic ignition?
Or do you have a brand name of a high energy one?
I had a mechanic put electronic ignition on my older International, but it it doesn t always run that good.

 

[MarkB_MI]

For 20 years I held out on converting my Ford 4000 to electronic ignition, but a couple of years ago I came to realize that all the replacement points and condensers I could find were junk. After fighting bad components for weeks, I installed the Pertronix conversion and the tractor has run flawlessly ever since. The conversion is 100 percent reversible, although I can't see any reason I would do so.

It seems that a few folks here have suffered infant mortality with these units, but most of those have been attributed to using non-resistance spark plug wires. And there are several reports of good experiences with Pertronix customer support.

 

[Two Dogs]

I'm one of those who replaced his points with a fragile overpriced switch/breaker point replacement
Pertronix system several years ago and rarely wet myself now that I have got used to not having
ignition troubles. TDF

 

[Steve@Advance]

I've installed several over the years, no particular brand preference, never had a failure.

They will work with a "less than perfect" distributor as far as the shaft bushings are concerned. The centrifugal and vacuum (if equipped) advance do need to work properly. The ignition timing will need to be checked after the installation.

They are polarity sensitive, voltage specific (6 or 12v), and must have the proper coil or coil/resistor combination. Some, especially the high performance products, require resistor plug wires. (My opinion, the high performance systems are a waste of money on a low compression, low RPM engine.)

The electronic systems that replace the points are just that, they replace the troublesome points and condenser. It will not solve any other problems like plug fouling, damp/wet misfire or no start, other ignition problems associated with a bad coil, cap, rotor, or loss of spark because of a bad starter, small cables, or bad electrical connections.

Whatever brand you get, follow the installation requirements exactly and it will give many years service.

 

[Clarence Slydell]

(quoted from post at 01:32:17 09/19/19)

(quoted from post at 20:47:00 09/18/19) Thinking of getting electronic ignition for my Jd 520. Just
wondering if anybody has installed one and If they like it.

Are you considering some sort of "high energy ignition", or just the basic relatively fragile and overpriced electronic switch/breaker point replacement that so many wet themselves over?

NO comparison between a true "HEI" of the type we have become accustomed to on modern vehicles, and those "electronic replacement for points" units in spark "hotness", or reliability.

Agreed. It's a very simple job to utilize a GM HEI ignition module triggered by breaker points. Ford and Mopar modules can be used as well. Far, far better system than the ones you mention.

Google will quickly bring up the schematics. I'm not going to waste my time posting them.

 

[fixerupper]

Before you order the unit take a look at the brand of distributor. Deere used primarily Delco but they put a Wico On a few tractors. My 630 has a Wico.

 

[jm.]

Bob I am like tw dogs have used the petronics conversions because most of mine are on Ih engines.
If there is not a GM hui distributor offered for the subject engine how does one go about making the
conversion?

 

[oldtanker]

I wonder why folks are so against EIs? I had 2 Ford Ns that I converted. Both perform flawlessly as does the M Farmall with EI. Newest conversion is 5 years or so old.

The big issue here is high quality point ignition components are fast becoming a thing of the past. Last set of points I purchased were Standard brand. Most people at the time considered Standard, Blue Streak and Echlin to be the top brands on the market. They lasted all of 20 hours because of a defect in the points I missed when I installed them.

You guys who brag about how long you can make points last are a big part of the problem. No company is going to keep making high quality items they can't sell. First thing they do is drop the the quality to try to still make a profit. Then they look for other items to make that are profitable and drop what isn't making money.

And don't pat yourself on the back too much. The average person with a minimum of training can install points.

Rick

 

[Blackhole49]

I bought a tired 8n with the conversion 20 years ago. All I do is mow an 1 1/2 acres a week in the summer with it. It burns a quart of oil every 5-6 hours. Never had distributor cap off or replaced the champion plugs. It starts on the first roll summer or winter. I did put a used battery in it in 2012.

 

[jacksun65]

I did my JD630 years ago. Had problems with timing jumping around and points burning out. Redid the whole electric system. 8 years after it was still going strong when I sold it. Sold it because of a woman should have kept the tractor LOL