No spark on my C/b!

Disconnect the kill wire at the mag and try it. Still no spark, got an ohm meter? I can't say right off what the coil resistance would be, but it should be lower on the primary side and higher on the secondary side. Open circuit on either is a failure. Otherwise, a known good condenser and points and it still doesn't work, probably needs a coil. This assumes the magnet has not lost it's strength. I should add that make sure the cap has no cracks, carbon tracks, etc.

Edited by Brian Jasper co. Ia - 29 May 2010 at 10:41am

Hi Glock!

Okay, some basic notes about the mag: Yes, it's self-contained- the only external connection, would be for a kill switch.  The terminal needs to be ungrounded to operate... ground it to shut her down.  Oftentimes there's a little thumb-springy thing so you can shut it down if there's no remote kill switch.

In order for the mag to work properly, it needs to have good magnets, and the points and condenser need to be in good shape.  Now, I'm fairly good with magnetos, but there's a few guys around that have complete magneto-test units, they can go through and set 'em up to be back to original state.  For what it's worth, when you see a magneto (or any ignition) fire in open-air, the spark you see may appear adequate, but under compression, will simply not be.

Next, magnetos on Allis B/C's and others have a device on 'em called an IMPULSER... it's a spring-loaded thing that not only spins the magneto armature FAST when hand-cranking, it also retards the spark 'till AFTER TDC, to make for safer, easier starting.  IF the impulser isn't functioning properly, you may find yourself 1) not getting it to start, or 2) with a broken arm from it kicking back.

I'd suggest talking to your local tractor/old engine enthusiasts, dragging 'em over for a look, finding out who your local MagGuru is, and taking the mag in for some TLC on the test bench... otherwise it sounds like you'll be pulling out your hair trying to get it going.

OK, I dug around at my Dads. I found three mags. I am certain I can build one good one out of the three. I know one of these are good. My Dads C ran fine on it but he switched it to a distributer for some reason. 

Many time a thing as simlpe as running a piece of fine sandpaper, doubled over, between the points to clean them, will make all of the difference in the world.

I plan on working on them today. The mags I have are slightly different than the one on the tractor. One has the red coil. The rest have the black tar stuff. I am going to get the rest of the WD's and the parts today also. I will make a new post about that when I get them home.

What's the matter Jesse, didn't get a hand crank with it. LOL

Jesse, put your thumb over number 1 hole and turn it over till you feel compression. you can then stick a light wire in the plug hole to tell when the piston stops coming up. You really need a hand crank for this though.

So if I line up the fire mark on number one that should get me close enough to get the mag back in the right place? Seems familiar. Been awhile sense I did this!

Who isvthe magneto expert in Nj? I know its been a while butnis he still around?

https://www.bb-customcircuits.com/