John Deere B magneto problem

[Doug51]

I've got a 1951 B that we still use on the farm. Last fall it started shutting down after just a few minutes. I did some research and decided it must be the coil inside the magneto was going bad. I've tried to order a new coil, but none available anywhere I've checked. It has a WICO XB. 4001 magneto. Can this be replaced with a different one? If so, what?

 

[Pete in MD]

Yes. A Wico XH-1042

 

[Doug51]

A friend suggested I convert to 12v and use a distributor. I have no idea how to do that. Is it a good option?

 

[Bob Gauntt]

Try Standard Magneto Sales Co. (630)227-4907. I buy most of my magneto parts from them.

 

[Mike M]

That is a wico distributor and are not a very good design. A delco replacement will be lots better.

 

[Mark-Ia]

That Wico XB was not good when new. As the others posted; get a Wico XH magneto or Delco dist. No need to switch it to 12 volts.

 

[John T]

I would toss the XB distributor (NOT a mag, not that reliable) and replace it with EITHER an XH Magneto or else a Delco battery powered
distributor ignition.

John T

 

[Kansas rhody]

I have a wico xb distributor on my 50, as everyone else has said not the most reliable, coil inside the cap, last summer the coil died, I had a spare but almost impossible finding a replacement. One of my many summer projects this year is to replace it with a delco distributor. Something I havent done before but between the shop manual and numerous videos on line it doesnt seem too hard, worse case I call one of my tractor buddies for help. Not sure but I think the coils get too hot inside the cap and wear out quickly. One of the smarter guys on this board probably know why those distributors arent great

 

[Gene Davis (Ga.)]

Wnen working for a dealer's Deere shop many moons ago, the problem we found with most of the XB Wico distributors was that the brass post for the points to pivot on was worn out.