Timing a 1935 JD B

[1951G]

I've got a timing question about my 1935 John Deere B with a Fairbanks Morse RV2B magneto. The tractor will eventually start but it kicks the flywheel backwards when trying to crank. I have it timed with #1 piston on TDC (viewed through spark plug hole) and the impulse mark at 3 o'clock with mark on side of the main case. I've tried advancing and retarding the magneto but it kicks no matter where I have it set. I don't remember this being an issue in the past but it kicks flywheel backwards every time I try to crank it now. Not sure what would have changed overtime. Also, noticed the idle needle maybe plugged but didn't think this would be related to kicking flywheel backwards. Is there something else I'm missing? Thanks.

 

[teddy52food]

Did you have the mag off? If so, there is a special way to put them on and be back in time.

 

[PopinJohn]

I see you said you had #1 on TDC, but was it TDC compression?
Also, can't remember for sure, but the F-M doesn't fire every snap like a Wico does. Seems like it is snap, snap, skip, skip, then snap, snap again.
So, the mag could be 360 out of time.

 

[DScott]

(quoted from post at 11:31:25 07/22/13) I've got a timing question about my 1935 John Deere B with a Fairbanks Morse RV2B magneto. The tractor will eventually start but it kicks the flywheel backwards when trying to crank. I have it timed with #1 piston on TDC (viewed through spark plug hole) and the impulse mark at 3 o'clock with mark on side of the main case. I've tried advancing and retarding the magneto but it kicks no matter where I have it set. I don't remember this being an issue in the past but it kicks flywheel backwards every time I try to crank it now. Not sure what would have changed overtime. Also, noticed the idle needle maybe plugged but didn't think this would be related to kicking flywheel backwards. Is there something else I'm missing? Thanks.

The DRV2 mags are a different animal! I scratched my head trying to install my first one until the late Duane Larson took the time to walk me thru it. The DRV2A and DRV2B are the same except the mag body is rotated 90 degrees on the B. Below are the instructions Duane gave me:

"Rotate flywheel until flywheel side piston is at top of compression stroke, and LH Impulse is then lined up with mark on transmission case and the magneto drive flange should be horizontal. Your magneto does the following: click(spark)-click(spark)-click(no spark)-click(no spark) and the pattern repeats. Hold your magneto in a vise like it will be mounted on the tractor, and run a plug wire from the bottom (forward on the B) HV outlet to a plug laying on the vise. Rotate your magneto until you get a spark at the plug, and stop immediately after the spark occurs. The drive flange should be close to horizontal and mate up with the driving flange on the end of the governor shaft. Bolt the magneto in place, and run the bottom plug wire to the flywheel side plug and the top wire to the pulley side plug. Then I would adjust the running timing (by rotating the magneto within the slots) with a timing light. There is no adjustment for the impulse (or starting) timing on the DRV2A. "
Hope this helps.

 

[Sam Vastano]

I also read about Deere messing up flywheels when the B first came out and the timing marks being a bit off. I wish I could find the article for you. I had a bear of a time with my 37B with a wico X to get it right.