Wisconsin VH4D /Gorman Rupp pump

New Guy here,
I started a thread in the repair and restoration section and one of the members suggested I try this section due to the number of members with knowledge of these types.
I recently got a 1966 military surplus pump, it is powered by a Wisconsin VH4D. The engine was frozen but I have since freed it up with Marvel Mystery Oil and PB Blast. Poured it in the cylinders and let it sit for a few days.
The engine has a magneto and rf shielded plug wires and plugs that had the ceramic on the inside with steel outside. My question was about changing over from a magneto to a distibuter system. I have yet to find plugs or wires for the engine so I cant try to fire it yet to see if I even need to switch. My decision to switch was soley based on the fact that I have no knowledge of magnetos, but as it was pointed out, if it works dont fix it.
My knowledge of engines stops at 64- 75 gm short blocks and military multifuel engines as I own to M35A2's.
I purchased this pump for use with the FD in my town as I am a member and the Assistant Director of the Emergency Management Agency.I have recently aquired a few small pumps and gennys as well. With our budget slashed 80% this year I have found new ways to get what my team and town needs. The equipment may be old but it still runs, besides it is olive drab, and thats enough for me.
It beats the heck out of trying to run a lot of little pumps for remote brush fires as we have ponds all over the place in the areas we frequent. And I can pull anything into te power lines with my trucks, so getting it there is not a problem.
Are plugs and wires easily bought at places like NAPA and auto zone or are they special order items. Where can I get manuals on the engine. Any tricks to running them and keeping them running well?
Any info would help. Thanks.

Also, when I figure out how to post pic's I will put some on the site.

Normally on a civy Wisconsin if it had a distributor, it was mounted on the back of the generator. Mags are not that hard to work on. Most likely you need to clean the points. Before you remove the cap to clean the points, be aware that some mags like yours gear drive the bug. I like to turn the engine until the bug is pointing at the ten O'clock position before I remove the cap to check/clean the points. Them you have a reference point when you put the cap back on. I do not know about NAPA but a chain auto parts store I use can get the shielded plugs the next day. Champion Number is XMD-15. Autolite is a 2223. I am also a Volunteer Fire Fighter. Military Wisconsin's are internally different than their civy cousins.

Kent

You said VH4D so you might not even have a true military engine. Wisconsin military engines had a "M" prefix and tag would be stamped MVH4D for example. Yes some internals like rods, bearing, pistons and rings were different for military Wisconsins. The magneto is still just a magneto except it has a what is called a radio shielded cap and shield wires and different spark just like on aircraft engines. I don"t really think you"ll need those on there anyway. I too am a firefighter and we have several trucks with magneto equipped engines running regular metallic wire and non resistor spark plugs with no problems. If the pump engine is mounted far enough away from your cab should have no interference. Yes you will have interference standing by it with a hand held radio if too close. Tappity tap static noise from the engine firing. I"ve changed many of those type mags over to regular caps and rotor or just pushed in regular metallic core wires with a boot to hold them and then used regular 18mm spark plugs like a AC C87 or C88 or Denso L14-U or Champion D16 or D21. I doubt any NAPA is going to have someone working at the counter to get that kind of shielded wire or shielded spark plugs if you insist on running those probably have to talk to someone works with aircraft engines for plugs and wires. NAPA will have regular spark plugs to fit a VH4D and metallic or copper core spark plug wire. The shielded wires are still metallic core type wires too just have the grounded RF (radio frequency) braided shielding and special end fittings and nuts over it. I have a rebuilt surplus MVG4D sitting on crate in the barn now has that type mag and wires on it. Not sure if I"m going to leave those on it or change it. The radio shielded mag caps used lead gaskets so not insulate and the shields stay grounded. If you have troubles with the mag or need parts or want to convert it to regular cap email me and I can help on that as I repair or change those around all the time. Send the numbers off the mag too when asking about parts and there were more than just one model of radio shielded mags used on Wisconsins. Don"t think I have another set of those shielded wires though. If the mag fires good and works just try regular metallic core wire and regular non resistor plugs with it. You don"t want to use carbon core wires on a magneto they will break down and cause misfiring and those type wires and resistor plugs are harder on the mag coil and make it fail earlier.

I love this site, guys thanks a million. I will try to fire it up this weekend.

I took a closer look at the data plate, it is a MVG4D, I was told it was a VH4D when I got it, and I asssumed that was right. But now I know better.

Couple links will have Wisconsin engine info. The VG4D has 7 more HP than the VH4D.

http://www.wisconsinmotors.com/

http://www.wisconsinmotors.com/modwm.html
Un Official Wisconsin Engine Site

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