In a box of parts I got I found a Sincilla Vertex Magneto. I have no experience with this type of ignition. Can I use this on a Ford Model A engine? It looks cool. How does it work? Can someone give me an introduction to Magneto's. The only numbers on the data plate that I can read are 400-450-1000. Sent from my SNE-LX1 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Anything is possible, It will need to be gone through, at that time they could add correct base, rotation, advance or whatever needed to make it work for you. Cap might be worth as much as the magneto as it sits if it's in nice condition. I wouldn't pay more than a hundred or so, considering how much work it needs.
Internet man, internet..! You'll find most all there is about them (Vertex) within...the internet. Not familiar with that shaft end configuration. What "box" did you find it in...a Model A, parts box ? If so, it might just fit, a Model A engine. What's left of the ignition wires suggest so. Mike
It was in a box with other A parts so I assumed it would fit my A engine. Sent from my SNE-LX1 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
X2^^^ Or Pull the cap off there will be a contactComing from the base about 2 inch long ,hold it with fingers or about a 1/4 inch from metal spin the cam gear with hand see if it arcs or light you up !!,
Please don’t hold the coil wire and turn it. That will juice you good. Looks like a model A and B magneto but it is missing it mounting plate/ clamp. The clamps I’ve seen are made of bronze. If it spins free and makes juice, run it.
I've been stashing Vertex info for a while. It's written up for the Aussie GM Holden inline 6 grey motor (1948-1963), but the theory applies to the Model A/B maggies too. Some good history, operation theory etc: http://www.fbekholden.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=20727&hilit=harv+magneto Cheers, Harv
What are the advantage or disadvantages of this type of ignition? This is new stuff for me. Think I have to do lot of reading. Would love to see it mounted on the front gear cover..... Sent from my SNE-LX1 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
The advantage of a mag is the faster it spins, the hotter the spark is, so it is well suited to high RPM applications. Another advantage is wiring it up. It is self contained so all that is needed to run the engine is a single wire to a kill switch ground. The disadvantage(s) of a mag is at slow speeds the spark is weaker. In the past this meant gapping the plugs down to .015" to prevent fouling at idle. Nowadays some upgrades enable gaps around .020" (on gas). Also, a tach cannot be wired directly to the mag - it requires a sender box. Also, in NHRA racing, you must use a relay to the ground (shut off terminal) so the master shutoff switch at the rear of the vehicle will positively kill the engine when activated. Also, a separate RPM limiter is needed. Here is a picture of a right angle gearbox I built to drive my mag, so it clears the intake manifold above.
The Frenchtown Flyer said "The disadvantage(s) of a mag is at slow speeds the spark is weaker. In the past this meant gapping the plugs down to .015" to prevent fouling at idle. Nowadays some upgrades enable gaps around .020" (on gas). Also, a tach cannot be wired directly to the mag - it requires a sender box" I remember trying an inductive coupled tach (like a timing light) on a mag and it did not work, but I still don't understand why it should not. Please educate me!
In looking at that tag is that a zero above 400? I see 6 degrees above the 1000, and the number above 450 is illegible to me but I think that may be where the advance curve begins. Keep in mind that the magneto turns 1/2 of crankshaft rotation so the advance curve probably starts at 900 RPM and is all in with 12 degrees @ 2000 RPM.
Forgive my poor Aussie English… we were sent out to this colony partially for our misuse of the Queen’s English magneto - maggie - mag Distributor - dizzy Points - contacts (never breaker) Condenser (rarely capacitor) Cheers, Harv (mangler of grammar, not to be trusted with a verb).
Hello, That is one of the funniest things I have read in quite some time. You are a character J6. Knowing 9 volts can give anyone a jumpstart for laughs, this Vertex Magneto holds and delivers a lot more power going to the spark plug wires. My brother was a funny guy. Working with him was a challenge. But, since he was knowledgeable, it was a fun activity when both of us were working after school and on weekends, from morning until night. Our goal was to get the 1940 Willys Coupe built to compete in the B/Gas and C/Gas classes at Lion’s Dragstrip. The difference was added weight to go race in the C/Gas class. When we were getting to the initial start up point for the 671 powered SBC, he wanted to be the guy throwing the switch. When he fired up the motor, the revolutions and the noise was outstanding. It was as if we were in the pits at Lion’s Dragstrip. He revved up the motor a few times and then shut it off. He was smiling from ear to ear. It was his project and I was the valuable helper. So, he wanted to thank me for the great help that I contributed. 671 Isky Gilmer Belt/6 Strombergs/ and A Joe Hunt Scintilla Vertex Magneto spilling out the juice on our version of an SBC, for C/Gas coupe class racing. He told me to take out the spark plugs and to replace them with a set of racing Lodge pink plugs. We had been given a couple of sets of Lodge plugs only to be used when racing. He wanted to get some fine tuning done and wanted me to replace the plugs. When I reached for the first accessible plug, he told me to take it out and check the coloring and ceramic. So, that was easy enough. We went through the whole bank and when we got to the last one, I was in a groove. Easy out, no breakage and great color on the plugs. Jnaki Now, the last one took some time to remove and when I had it in hand, he told me to put on the spark wire, look at the end, and check the electricity flow. When I grabbed the wire and connected, he turned on the key and a huge jolt came flying into my hand and arm. Luckily, I had put a canvas tarp below the open area near the plugs. It was like a 1000 hot potatoes all at once and I actually jerked back with a flourish. He was laughing inside of the cab behind the steering wheel. What a character. That was his reward for me doing a great job on the 671 SBC motor. Now, we were ready. Then I asked what the %$#@!!! And he just laughed and said he wanted to check if the new Packard wires were working… yea, right! That Joe Hunt Scintilla Vertex Magneto packs quite a punch. A good tune, right plugs, even burn and a powerful 671 SBC chugging the Willys Coupe to a 12.60 e.t. time by the end the day at Lion’s Dragstrip. It was good enough to be in the final C/Gas elimination run after a series of victories in the earlier rounds of eliminations.
Similar way I was introduced to the zap of a Vertex mag. It was hande to me without the cap on, and I was told that whatever I did don't drop it. The other guy spun the gear just as he handed it to me. Shocking!
In my day all sprint cars ran magneto's. I was always told a mag didn't put out much voltage at low rpm. I was surprised to find that a small turn of the drive gear would cause a very hot spark to anything metal, a work bench, a file cabinet, etc. Many guys have gotten the shock of their life by dropping a mag in a small block Chevy with the distributor cap off.
Bottle shop, or Bottle-oh. The faster they turn, the quicker the points open. This "breaks" the magnetic field faster. The faster the magnetic field disappears, the higher the voltage. Having said that, spinning one with your fingers is more than enough to make you do the Scintilla shuffle. Cheers, Harv
Being as De Konjel is in Europe, perhaps asking around the Antique Farm Equipment people would come up with some info on the post-WWII 4cyl Ford powered machinery : many of those used a Scintilla/Vertex for reliability(even if the battery "died" the motor would still be "in service") & the motor was a "modernized" Model A.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/351758219012?hash=item51e66c7704:g:EeAAAMXQCtlRTzcv&frcectupt=true Cheers, Harv
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