Magneto or Distributor

DanTo · Jun 10, 2012

A friend and I were talking today wondering if there was a date when tractors were assembled and shipped with magnetos and when they changed and put distributors on them, or was it an option. I have a 1949 W-4 that Dad bought new. It has a magneto on it. We were just wondering?

Jim Becker · Jun 10, 2012

The changeover date was different for each model tractor. You can find when by looking in the applicable parts catalog. Technically, battery ignition was an option but was installed on virtually all after the change date.

Athol Carr · Jun 11, 2012

I understand that until some time in 1949 magnetos were standard, then after that date distributors were standard with the magneto an extra cost option. My 1948 Farmall Super A manual does not have distributors listed at all, nor does my 1941 W-4 parts book (TC-30). My 1952 W-4 parts book TC-30D lists both ignition systems but does not give a serial number at changeover. It was probably about the same time as the lights were moved from low down on the cast front frame to the sides near the top of the engine cowlings.

jbp · Jun 11, 2012

As late as 64 some 4 cylinder engines were available with magnetos as options. Don't know about later as I left IH then. Joe

Harold H · Jun 11, 2012

Magnetos were standard untill the late 40's, about 48 or 49 on most IH tractors. Battery ignition then became standard with magnetos being a fctory option through the end of the 350/450/650 series.

Harold H

Jim Becker · Jun 11, 2012

The parts catalogs usually don't give a serial number break for the magnetos themselves as the same magneto was used on later tractors when they happened to be installed on later tractors. You need to look for something else that changed at the same time, like wiring, generator or whatever. As far as I know, for all models the change from a cut-out controlled generator to a full voltage regulator was done at the same time battery ignition was added. (Battery ignition added electrical load, so more charging power was needed.)

I didn't see the W-4 parts catalog on line so I took a quick look at the H catalog. I found the cut-out system was used through serial number 340953. From that, I conclude battery ignition was available from 340954. Before banking on that answer, I would check effectivity on a few other parts. I didn't do that check. 340954 was more than half way through 1950.

You can check other models the same way. You will get somewhat different dates for the change.

Export tractors may have varied considerably. But that is what the catalog shows for US delivered tractors.

D Slater · Jun 11, 2012

Looks like it was in 1950 or serial # 26509 and higher that may have a distributor when built.
Still could have a mag after that also though.

mkirsch · Jun 11, 2012

I think the best answer you're going to find is "sometime in 1950." IH record keeping wasn't all that great by today's standards... Heck, look at all the controversy over white demos because they didn't document which ones came off the line painted white. Gold demos are even worse, and that was 20 years later when they actually had somewhat computerized inventory!

Jim Becker · Jun 11, 2012

IH evidently didn't worry a lot about some things. Build cards, that show exact equipment on specific tractors, were evidently disposed of long ago. If the white paint had been recorded, it would have probably been on the build cards. Daily serial number lists were maintained, but again they are probably long gone. Bigger picture items, like serial number effectivity of part changes, were carefully recorded and are pretty accurately reflected in the parts catalogs.

This nonsense about bad records and random parts being used on tractors is mostly made up and spread by guys trying it excuse their crappy restoration jobs. Unfortunately, it has been repeated so much that a lot of people believe it.

pete 23 · Jun 11, 2012

I like your answer Harold, if that magneto didn't have a distributor on it I doubt that four cyl engine would run very well. (Magneto vs Battery Ignition.

The Red · Jun 11, 2012

Both my 1941 and 1947 Ms along with my Grandpa's 1941 H have the aftermarket Delco Remy vertical distributors. Those first ran with magnetos. I have a picture of Grandpa on the H, in his bib overalls with a straw hat, with cultivators taken in the 1940s. You can clearly see the magneto.

jal-SD · Jun 11, 2012

I remember in 1950 when I went with Dad to the local IH dealer to get new points, condenser, rotor & cap for the mag on our "new" 44 H that he had just purchased & the dealer came out with a brand new IH battery ignition set-up that could be purchased for less $$ than the parts to repair the mag. A year or two later we did the same thing on the other 44 H that Dad had bought new in 1945. I have both tractors, wish I would have kept the mags that went into the junk pile before Dad's estate sale in the early '80's. I just wonder how many H's & M's have either the IH or right-angle Delco version that replaced the mag like those two were. (My $0.02 worth. jal-SD)

D Slater · Jun 11, 2012

Compared to todays prices a complete change over unit was still cheap in 1962. Can't even buy some of the advance springs in the distributors now for that price.

Athol Carr · Jun 11, 2012

My 1948 Farmall Super A now has an IH distributor, though the generator still has the cut-out, not regulator. I found two spare H-4 magnetos, with the aim of changing it back but I as I later purchased a 1941 W-4 with a magneto so decided to leave the distributor as is. The Farmall Super A hood, has, as seen on many other early IH letter series tractors, small holes in the edge just above the magneto location where farmers have added screens or flaps to keep rain water off the magnetos. It seems that the H-4 magneto was not as waterproof as IH claimed.

willie in mn · Jun 11, 2012

Sort of O T.
Have a 52 Allis CA. Some owner long ago converted it to Delco upright batt dist. The bulletin that came with the conversion kit lists that it fits Allis A,B,C,WC,WD, also Farmall A,B,C,H,M,W4,W6. Also fits some Case models.
Willie

LarryM · Jun 13, 2012

One other problem is that when they changed things often it could be ordered either way. For example I bought a Super M from the original owners son. The original owner worked at an IH dealership as a mechanic prior to farming. He bought a Super M with the battery under the seat without live hydraulics. It could be ordered with or without live hydraulics. So there really is no absolute serial number break for the stage 2 super M. The ignition could be the same.

gene bender · Jun 14, 2012

The only problem i have ever had getting wet was the bakelite was weather checked. There is also a gasket for the cap. See tractor all the time at rides with something tied over the dist or mag.

Magneto or Distributor

DanTo

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Jim Becker

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Athol Carr

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jbp

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Harold H

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Jim Becker

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D Slater

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mkirsch

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Jim Becker

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pete 23

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The Red

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jal-SD

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D Slater

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Athol Carr

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willie in mn

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LarryM

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gene bender

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