several questions

[grizzthebear]

Thx again for your quick help in IDing the tractor. It is a 1949 super A and I have a few more questions that would help narrow down the learning curve.

I have a yanmar diesel that uses a 15-40 oil for diesel engines, is this ok to use in a old gas engine or should I use a single weight gas engine oil?

What hydraulic oil is best, again I have a universal hydraulic oil I use in the yanmar.

And the big question. This tractor still has the magneto on it. It has a 12v coil starter and alternator. Is there a complete replacement unit for the magneto? I’d like to clean up the excess gears and bearings and get ride of the thing as I doubt I’ll ever run it without a battery or hand crank it.

 

[Bob]

There's a photo of an IH distributor in the link below. They aren't too hard to find.

15-40 diesel oil is GREAT in a gas engine. Hy-Tran or UTF will work great in the hydraulics.
Distributor

 

[flashback]

You can use all tehe same fluids you now use. As for a conversion from Mag there are lots of them on the market. try YT tractor parts. Just about anyone will have one. I still prefer the mag and use 6V starter with generator for starting.

 

[flashback]

You can use all tehe same fluids you now use. As for a conversion from Mag there are lots of them on the market. try YT tractor parts. Just about anyone will have one. I still prefer the mag and use 6V starter with generator for starting.

 

[Hugh MacKay]

Grizz: I've been using 15W-40 diesel grade in everything since it first came out. I was going to say everything from Super A to 1066, however it included SA, 130, 300, 504, 560D, 656D, 1066, two Case skidsteers, Deere articulated, 5 Chevy trucks, 2 Oldsmobiles and 2 Buicks, yes even a 1975 4 cycle lawn mower I hauled to the dump last year. By the way, only thing original on the mower was the engine.

Most of us use Hytran on hydrauilcs, however what your currently using will work fine.

I'm not a good one to ask about Mags. We had two on the farm years ago, and that was two too many. Neither stayed around very long.

 

[CNKS]

If the mag is functioning properly, I would not replace it. It has been on it for 5 decades plus, might last that long again, depending on use. If it needs a lot of repair, a distributer may be cheaper. There is a person whose handle is Magman, for obvious reasons, who will trade your old mag for a like new rebuilt one, probably for less than you can buy a "new" distributer for. Someone else can tell you where to find him -- I think he currently posts on www.nebraskacowman.com. As to the hydraulics, as Hugh says it does not make much difference what oil you use. Although HyTran is the currently recommended fluid, it was designed for 10W motor oil. I use an off brand that meets HyTran specs in mine.

 

[jakey756]

I wanted to convert my B over to a distributer from a mag but decided to tear into the mag. Found there pretty simple to work on. Got to make sure your points are set perfectly though. So if the mag is working i wouldn't touch it. if its not try the magman or changing it over.

 

[Janicholson]

I have an opinion on Mags that is a bit complex. For one, they are as reliable as a distributor, and will allow starting W/O battery, or juice in an installed battery. But !!!! they do not provide the smooth operation, and have a slight economy reduction when the tractor is used at moderate speeds and part throttle. This is a function of its lack of centrifugal advance. IH mags do not adjust to engine speed. I prefer a distributor for this reason alone. JimN

 

[CNKS]

Could be, but a Super A, and the mag equipped H I put maybe 5000 hours on as a kid will run darn near forever on a tank of gas at part throttle. I never had one with a distributer to compare at full throttle. The H is inherently smooth. The only time I remember it being rough is when it badly needed an overhaul, drank 3 quarts of oil a day and fouled plugs every 15 minutes or so -- that's what I call abuse -- except we were trying to get our light cultivation done.