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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

Magneto or Distributor ???

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Way Up Here

09-23-2004 09:46:22




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Redoing an old Case tractor here and I've got to decide whether to go with a magneto or distributor ignition. The tractor has an electric start. I have both a good magneto as well as a good distributor for the engine. I'm not worried about being original (it was originally a mag setup). Which way would you go? What are the advantages/disadvantages of either setup?




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RAB

09-23-2004 13:21:23




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 Re: Magneto or Distributor ??? in reply to Way Up Here, 09-23-2004 09:46:22  
I am sure cost was one of the main reasons for the change to dist. at the time.
There are no costly bearings in a dist., just a plain bush. No copper windings, specially made.
The drive to a dist. is usually a gear lubed in the engine. The mag needs periodical lubrication and may be overlooked and the drive needs a bearing (on the end of the governor?)and the coupling is more crude (but effective enough and prolly the same in your case).
That all said, you will not quickly run down your battery by leaving the ignition switch on, frying your coil at the same time, if you have a magneto.
Also fewer wires running around to vibrate, crack, short circuit etc. Simple grounding switch for the ignition.
For an engine up to 1500 rpm a mag seems a good bet.
The coil set-up will have a higher energy spark, you can use modern graphite plug leads with good radio interference suppression (must use copper wire plug leads and non resistive plugs/caps with a mag.).
Distributor caps are generally much cheaper than mag caps.
He11, go with the dist., it is so much cheaper, more reliable and better spark! If it were me? I would, of course, go with the mag if at all practicable.
Regards, RAB

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JMS/MN

09-23-2004 12:06:36




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 Re: Magneto or Distributor ??? in reply to Way Up Here, 09-23-2004 09:46:22  
Originality=magneto. Dependability=distributor.



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txblu

09-23-2004 11:28:21




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 Re: Magneto or Distributor ??? in reply to Way Up Here, 09-23-2004 09:46:22  
I'd take the dist and add an electronic magnetic pickup (electronic ign) for trouble free performance.

Mag is a good choice for a dead battery where you can't get help but is that your situation?

Mark



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old

09-23-2004 09:51:05




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 Re: Magneto or Distributor ??? in reply to Way Up Here, 09-23-2004 09:46:22  
Both work well but I like a mag because it will run even if the battery is gone or bad or dead.



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