F 20 mag questions and a few pics of the shop

Dave Eklund · Dec 31, 2011

my dad has picked up an f20 that a freind bought at an auction it supposedly ran. It's in real nice shape sat in a shed for about ten years we can't seem to get any spark out of the thing even tried a mag of a freinds f12 that looks the same still no spark is there someting to do to the mag to re energize the mag took a few pics of the three red ones in the garage today 52 wd9 and os6 and the f20 inside didn't get the pics of the I9 with duals decorated with lights on the lawn though

F-Dean · Dec 31, 2011

Looks like an ok mag. Here is how I test F-4 Mags (I learned it on this site)

Take the cap off the mag and note the position of the "Contact" - draw a picture to aid your memory. Put the cap back on. Then take the mag off the tractor. DO NOT rotate the engine or you will get it out of time.

Get an extension for a 3/8 inch socket set and cut it in half. Put the male half in an electric drill. Find a 3/8 drive socket that fits the nut on the drive end of the mag - best I remember it is 13/16.

Put a spark plug wire in one of the holes in the cap and spin the mag with the electric drill and socket.

Hold the other end of the spark plug wire next to the mag base and observe the spark. A rebuilt mag should give you a spark that will jump 3/8 of an inch.

38F-20 · Dec 31, 2011

If your friend's F-12 mag was a working mag off of your tractor, I would guess it is a grounding problem. Clean the bottom of the mag and the mag bracket with emery cloth to get a better connection. If either mag doesn't work off of the tractor, my best guess is a points and condensor set would do the trick. After that, there are a few other things to try, but these should be the best places to start. Using a drill to turn a mag is easier, but I always do mine by hand. Just wear a glove so the impulse doesn't snap and sting your fingers. Happy New Year.

rustred · Dec 31, 2011

if the spark advance lever is in the up position it will have no spark, as this is the engine shut down position. are you trying it with the lever advanced some? should be spark then.

Tom Fleming · Dec 31, 2011

Also, do you hear the impulse snapping? I have an F-4 mag that if you over advance it, it grounds out. In your pictures, looks like you are fully advanced.

I would only advance it 1/2 the travel to test it.

mike paulson · Jan 1, 2012

wow, nice shop and really nice tractors. i'm glad to see i'm not the only one who has to move 2 or 3 tractors to get at something in my shop. it makes ya have to keep them all running good though. thanks for the pics.

Dave Eklund · Jan 1, 2012

yes we just added on to the shop this fall a bay 18x70 down the side and it almost full already there are two more 9 series to come in still a swd9 we picked up a few years ago the motor for it can be seen in one of the pics and a 43 I9 that we found this summer we seem to have a thing for the old standards and dad like JD's too

F 20 mag questions and a few pics of the shop

Dave Eklund

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F-Dean

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38F-20

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rustred

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Tom Fleming

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mike paulson

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Dave Eklund

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