the right magneto?

[bob in Utah]

I just purchased a 1951 JD "B", and am wondering about the magneto.It just dosen't seem like the right one. It has a Wico XB4001. Is it 6 volt or 12 volt? Or does it not make any difference? Looking in the John Deere data book, I found out that the JD "50" came out with a 12 volt Wico XB4023 magneto. I plan on restoring this tractor, so any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Bob

 

[Mike M]

That is a 6 volt dist. NOT a mag. I think those came on later B's but were not the best and alot of them were changed over to the delco dist. or a wico mag.

 

[John T]

Bob, Mike has ya covered, its a battery powered internal coil/distributor ignition and they came as 6 volt sooooooooo if you were to run it on 12 you would need to add an external voltage dropping (12 to 6) ballast resistor or fry it. Thats generally not something the Correct Police are gonna arrest you for (if you decide to change it out) cuz as Mike noted sooooooooo many got converted.

John T

 

[bob in Utah]

Thanks for the info guys!! Much appreciated Bob

 

[wilamayb]

I'm usually one to make what I have work, but I had round and round and round with the WICO XB on my late B. If yours is anything like mine the best thing you can do is to take that XB off and throw it over your left shoulder into the junk pile. you may want to look into an X mag or a Delco distibutor. Mike said lots were converted, and he is right. The old JD mechanics of years past already knew about XB distributors what I had to learn the hard way. My tractor would not start with the XB. The spark was just too weak. I have not installed a single ignition part on my Delco since I put it on over three years ago. You'll also find that parts are outrageous for the Wico products.

 

[John in Cache Valley]

Bob in UT

Where are you located? I"m up in Cache Valley. Not many JD Nuts here--seems to be Ford Country.