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Fordson Tractors Discussion Forum

Fordson F conversion mag problem

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Bill Torpey

02-23-2006 17:05:46

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We have a Fordson F which has an aftermarket magneto conversion. The Fairbanks Morse Type FM04A4 magneto is mounted on a cast aluminum unit that houses a long shaft with a helical gear. The housing is designed so that its helical gear engages a helical gear on the camshaft. This provides a right angle drive so that the mag extends outward at the left side of the engine.

The problem: Because of poor mounting and alignment, the helical gears have been pretty badly stripped. When we initially cranked the engine, the mag did not rotate. We suspect this was the real reason this Fordson was abandoned.

Question: Has anyone out there ever seen this type of mag and drive? Is there any hope of finding or repairing the gears? Or should we be looking for an alternative mag system?

Sure would appreciate any input. Thanks

Bill T.

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Albert Stegall

03-14-2006 06:38:56

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Re: Fordson F conversion mag problem in reply to Bill Torpey, 02-23-2006 17:05:46

you can have your ring rebuilt at thefordsonhouse.com for 165.00 I just had one repaired they do a pro. job. they have lots of the old f parts.hope this helps. Al

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cdmn

02-26-2006 19:22:30

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Re: Fordson F conversion mag problem in reply to Bill Torpey, 02-23-2006 17:05:46

You should be able to find gears from more modern engines. They would all be 1 to 1 ratio I believe. A good possibility would be the magneto used for the war-time 2N Ford. Later Ford tractors used a diesel injector pump drive that ran off right angle gears from the camshaft.
You might have to cut them off the modern camshaft and from the distributer. Assuming you find some junk engines.
I'd consider a 1969 Buick or thereabouts, that has a front mount distributer. (Actually, lots of cars did.) Might require some machineshop work to adapt. A magneto takes more power than the ordinary distributer, so gears might wear out faster, but a lot of them also drove an oil pump, so they should work.
You may be able to find what you want from WM Berg, or Miniature Precision Components, or other such suppliers.

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Butch Howe

02-23-2006 21:09:31

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Re: Fordson F conversion mag problem in reply to Bill Torpey, 02-23-2006 17:05:46

Hi Bill, I'll try to help you out. Many magneto drive adapters were sold in the 20's and 30's for the Fordson. Many times the internal mag would go bad and this was the least of the evils. The other being splitting the tractor. Sometimes they were put on just for ease of starting. This is something that us old guys with bad backs thought was just great! They were made by quite a few manufacturers and most were of the design that you have. Usually due to misalignment or improper lubrication the gears went bad. These units are still found now and then on parts tractors if you can find one. They are also on Ebay now and then which is getting to be the marketplace for hard to find parts. If I had a good one I'd fix you up but I just used the last one I had on a track conversion that I'm restoring. If you find one it MUST include the camshaft gear as they are a matched set. Does you magneto adapter have any markings or a tag on it? You may consider using the original coilbox with the internal magneto as long as you are this far. If so you might want to have your mag ring checked out to make sure it has no grounds or other problems. Then you can put the original style timer on the engine. I wouldn't put it back together unless it had a good magneto in it regardless. If you want to spend quite a bit you can have those gears repaired or made but I think I'd just find another unit. Your Fairbanks mag should fit most of them. One other thing, If you pulled your magneto ring I hope that you kept the little mounting shims as these allow for the proper clearance with the flywheel. The rear main cap dictates axial thrust of the crankshaft and the ring must be set for clearance when you assemble the engine. Take care,Butch

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Bill Torpey

02-24-2006 08:25:53

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Re: Fordson F conversion mag problem in reply to Butch Howe, 02-23-2006 21:09:31

Hi Butch. The cloth wrapping on the magnet coils is pretty tattered, but I haven't found any shorts. We would like to re-install the magnet ring in working condition to keep open the option of using the original system. Unfortunately the original coil box system was removed long ago. Should the ring coils be replaced/rewrapped? Can you purchase new coils separately?

There are no markings on the magneto adapter unit. We may try to rework the gears or modify the unit to engage the gears at a less worn position. Do you have any suggestions where to look for another magneto adapter unit if this doesn't work out?

Thanks for the tip on the magneto ring shims. When we pulled the main bearing caps, we did realize the the rear cap carries the axial thrust and establishes clearances for the magneto system. Axial clearance in the cap has worn to approx. 0.025 inch.

We really appreciate your input Butch. We expect to have more questions as this project moves along. Thanks again. Bill T

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