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rustyorange45 
Silver Level Access
Joined: 01 Sep 2013
Location: Vernon Co. MO.
Points: 402
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 Topic: Converting B From Magneto To Distributor
Posted: Yesterday at 3:43am |
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I found a deal on B but haven't been to look at it yet. The ad says it hasn't ran in two years. If the motor isn't locked up I will probably buy it. I don't know what year it is yet, but it has electric start and the wishbone front axle. My question is can it be converted to distributor ignition? I have two parts CA's so can I remove the magneto and install a distributor ignition from a CA? Thanks, Tim
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1953 WD45 WF/Model 90 Loader, Oxnard Rear Blade, 80R Mower, Model 209 Disc, WD Rear Mounted Scoop, Model 184 & 160 Rotary Mowers, 1952 CA NF/L306CA mower, 1953 CA WF/Model 8 Loader.
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Kip-Utah
Orange Level
Joined: 14 Sep 2009
Location: Southern Utah
Points: 918
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Posted: Yesterday at 5:37am |
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Yes the battery ignition (distributor) on a CA is an easy swap to your B to replace a magneto. My question to you is why? Unless your magneto is not working, I would keep it because you don’t even need a battery to crank start or pull start your tractor with the current setup. A battery ignition requires a good battery to run at all. Unless your intent is to replace the points & condenser with an electronic ignition module, there is NO advantage to the battery ignition over a magneto ignition.
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HANSEN'S OLD ORANGE IRON. Showing, Pulling, & Going!!
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PaulB
Orange Level
Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Rocky Ridge Md
Points: 5147
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Posted: Yesterday at 7:00am |
Hasn't run in two years??? I'm sure there's a reason for that. If it isn't locked up, most likely the magneto is old and tired a a quality rebuild by a competent professional of the magneto will cost more than what you will probably pay for the B. How about swapping a distributer from one of your CA into the engine, get it running then saw the engine into one of the CAs. A CA is much more versatile than a B. You'll have a 4 speed transmission, Live PTO & Hydraulics, pin hitch or snap coupler and more. Don't get me wrong, a B is a good tractor for what it is, but a CA is much more.
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If it was fun to pull in LOW gear, I could have a John Deere.
Real pullers don't have speed limits.
If you can't make it GO... make it SHINY
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steve(ill)
Orange Level Access
Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: illinois
Points: 88315
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Posted: Yesterday at 8:38am |
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a little more detain... You dont just pull the mag off and stick the distributor on..... The DRIVE from the front gears to the distributor are different and need to be changed out.. Not hard, but a little more work.. You can buy a distributor that just plugs into the magneto drive lugs, but that is probably not on the CA.
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Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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Les Kerf
Orange Level
Joined: 08 May 2020
Location: Idaho
Points: 1347
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Posted: Yesterday at 8:58am |
My Dad raised mules so I grew up with mules; he used to say "When you got a good mule, you've really got sumthin', but when you got a bad mule, well, you got sumthin' there too!"
Same thing applies to magnetos 
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rustyorange45
Silver Level Access
Joined: 01 Sep 2013
Location: Vernon Co. MO.
Points: 402
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Posted: Yesterday at 9:20am |
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I was thinking for the money, if the magneto was bad or weak since I already had the parts CA I could swap the distributor into the B. I have a Wood's L59 mower I could put on the B and give to my boy so he would have a good mowing tractor to use. I have three CA's here at home. One narrow front with a Wood's L306, one wide front with a loader, and one wide front I just purchased that I put a three point on so I could use my RM306 on. I agree the CA is a great little tractor but the B can be bought cheaply.
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1953 WD45 WF/Model 90 Loader, Oxnard Rear Blade, 80R Mower, Model 209 Disc, WD Rear Mounted Scoop, Model 184 & 160 Rotary Mowers, 1952 CA NF/L306CA mower, 1953 CA WF/Model 8 Loader.
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Les Kerf
Orange Level
Joined: 08 May 2020
Location: Idaho
Points: 1347
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Posted: 18 hours 35 minutes ago at 3:21pm |
Yup. Your lowest cost option is to swap the the parts and be done with it.
Magnetos are great when they work, but they cost more to fix (at least for those of us who don't own a magnet charger).
Your mileage may vary 
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steve(ill)
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Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: illinois
Points: 88315
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Posted: 18 hours 1 minutes ago at 3:55pm |
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i have "rebuilt" several mags over the last 20 years.. New point, condenser, coil, cleaning.....Still had problems with one after several years.. Bought a REBUILD from a vendon on this site... all the above PLUS recharge the magnet and new throw out springs for the impulse... WOW !!! What a difference !!... YEs, a GOOD REBUILDER is worth the money.. but not cheap..
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Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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rustyorange45
Silver Level Access
Joined: 01 Sep 2013
Location: Vernon Co. MO.
Points: 402
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Posted: 14 hours 9 minutes ago at 7:47pm |
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Cheap is where I'm at. I got the trailer ready to go today and charging the battery for the winch. I hope the B will make a nice mower for my boy and I don't have to do much to get it running. Sounds like the distributor swap is the way to go. Maybe a carburetor kit, clean the tank, new sediment bulb and NGK sparkplugs and it will start. This will be the first B I have ever owned. When I was younger there was a B that I should have bought and I have regretted not getting it. Going to makeup for it now. Thanks for the advice.
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1953 WD45 WF/Model 90 Loader, Oxnard Rear Blade, 80R Mower, Model 209 Disc, WD Rear Mounted Scoop, Model 184 & 160 Rotary Mowers, 1952 CA NF/L306CA mower, 1953 CA WF/Model 8 Loader.
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HoughMade
Orange Level
Joined: 22 Sep 2017
Location: Valparaiso, IN
Points: 710
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Posted: 11 minutes ago at 9:45am |
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I have a B with a magneto ('51 w/ original generator, starter and headlights). A couple of years after I got it running after sitting still in my Dad's barn for a few years, the spark started getting weak. I researched some "farmer tech" (doing what you need to to get it going) where you essentially run coil power through the original magneto, but in the end I got a rebuilt magneto from a guy in Illinois and it has worked spectacularly ever since.
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1951 B
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Alberta Phil
Orange Level
Joined: 13 Sep 2009
Location: Alberta, Canada
Points: 3932
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Posted: 7 minutes ago at 9:49am |
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Do you know that the magneto is not working? Maybe it is OK and might just need the points cleaned. Many of my tractors have mags and I've found them to be very reliable. Only ever had to have two rebuilt.
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