Register now to get rid of these ads!

Hot Rods V8 Distributor Convert To Magneto

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by MR MOPAR, Jan 14, 2020.

  1. MR MOPAR
    Joined: Jun 7, 2011
    Posts: 116

    MR MOPAR
    Member
    from california

    What is a practical way and frugal to do this?

    Without any imput we are going to attempt this with a 'tractor' magneto and a stock

    Ford distributor.

    Take the magneto parts and get them to fit and work on the distributor.

    Just checking to see if there is a better way.

    This is for factory type performance.Tube chassis.Just want to lose wiring.

    .A 5500 rpm gasoline engine.Hopped up a little.

    Not race.

    Thanks.
     
  2. studebakerjoe
    Joined: Jul 7, 2015
    Posts: 1,136

    studebakerjoe
    Member

    I don't know about frugal, but you could modify your distributor to drive 2 4 cylinder magnetos.
     
  3. I dont think it exists.Like half the guys here I have 50 years of reading hot rod mags,and going to car shows,and I havent seen it done.Junk mags arent common.If they were you would need lathe time to convert the body/shaft to Chevy.You are time a head to go HEI,and enjoy.Just have to have a mag.....save up.Theres a reason 99 percent of cars dont run them.
     
  4. MR MOPAR
    Joined: Jun 7, 2011
    Posts: 116

    MR MOPAR
    Member
    from california

    Thank you Studebaker Joe and Irish Steve

    'you could modify your distributor to drive 2 4 cylinder magnetos'

    That sounds like a good option.

    Came up with that to build a frugal Roto Faze dual point dual coil distributor too.

    I think getting it all to fit in a nice little package is sort of master machinist type work.

    We just want to say bye bye to wiring.Keep cars simple.

    'I dont think it exists'

    That is our thing in 'Cardom'.To make it exist.

    Have to see a mag first.Step 1.

    Thank you.
     

  5. TCTND
    Joined: Dec 27, 2019
    Posts: 543

    TCTND
    Member

    I don't know of a tractor magneto that had any provision for automatic advance. Adapting one (or two) to turn and make sparks is one thing. Getting a proper advance curve could be the real challenge.
    Phil
     
    tractorguy likes this.
  6. razoo lew
    Joined: Apr 11, 2017
    Posts: 536

    razoo lew
    Member
    from Calgary

    I saw a picture once of an old time Alberta hot rod legend running a Flathead dragster with 2 Fairbanks-Morse 4 cylinder mags. As @TCTND noted, no way to build an advance curve which would not be needed on the FED.
     
  7. MR MOPAR
    Joined: Jun 7, 2011
    Posts: 116

    MR MOPAR
    Member
    from california

    Thank you Phil and Razoo Lew

    'proper advance curve could be the real challenge'

    'not be needed on the FED'

    Okay to get it working without spark advance and solve that later.

    Looking forward to looking inside a tractor magneto.

    Should have done it a long time ago.
     
  8. G-son
    Joined: Dec 19, 2012
    Posts: 1,277

    G-son
    Member
    from Sweden

    Any particular reason you want to do it, other than you haven't seen it done?
     
  9. 19Eddy30
    Joined: Mar 27, 2011
    Posts: 2,314

    19Eddy30
    Member
    from VA

    Irishsteve
    Theres a reason 99 percent of cars dont run them.[/QUOTE]


    1st ,Most do not know how to start a engine with a Mag , the Key is to spin engine with the Mag grounded for few seconds , then take away Ground while engine still spinning , fire right up .
    2nd ,Mag interfere with Radio ,
    I fell if you have a Radio , its a Street Rod
     
    Last edited: Jan 15, 2020
  10. 19Eddy30
    Joined: Mar 27, 2011
    Posts: 2,314

    19Eddy30
    Member
    from VA

    MrMopar Has a interesting project going on and he's thinking outside the box , its Possible just take time and experimenting to work it out.
     

  11. 1st ,Most do not know how to start a engine with a Mag , the Key is to spin engine with the Mag grounded for few seconds , then take away Ground while engine still spinning , fire right up .
    2nd ,Mag interfere with Radio ,
    I fell if you have a Radio , its a Street Rod[/QUOTE]
    Mostly I was thinking the 1300 dollar price for a new Joe Hunt.They are tall too on a rear mount like a Chevy that can be a problem.Not so much on a Ford.
     
  12. MR MOPAR
    Joined: Jun 7, 2011
    Posts: 116

    MR MOPAR
    Member
    from california

    Thank you G son and Eddy

    'reason you want to do it'

    To clean up tube frame.Run the car without extra parts for ignition and charging to run

    the ignition.

    'start a engine with a Mag'

    Good tips.Sounds sort of familiar.

    'time and experimenting to work it out'

    That is what we are after.Experimental projects.

    The guy did say there was a dual 4 cylinder setup already built.

    Guess the challenge will be to get tractor magneto parts working with stock distributor

    parts.

    Once again.Goal is factory level performance.

    A Vertex magneto probably has features that are for racing setups.

    Factory level is okay with us.
     
  13. 19Eddy30
    Joined: Mar 27, 2011
    Posts: 2,314

    19Eddy30
    Member
    from VA

    Mostly I was thinking the 1300 dollar price for a new Joe Hunt.They are tall too on a rear mount like a Chevy that can be a problem.Not so much on a Ford.[/QUOTE]

    Irihsteve , I hope I did not come across being smart, Not my Intentions, I have a few vertex 1 with external coil for Nitro & A few Malory's and offset drives ,RCD , few 80s ,nobody wants, Mags seem to struggle on HAMB to get $300.00 for . I do not know why ,they should bring $500-700
     
  14. RichFox
    Joined: Dec 3, 2006
    Posts: 10,020

    RichFox
    Member Emeritus

  15. MR MOPAR
    Joined: Jun 7, 2011
    Posts: 116

    MR MOPAR
    Member
    from california

    Thank you Rich

    Just talked to my buddy in Michigan.

    He suggested firing a magneto 8 times and using stock distributor to 'distribute' the spark

    to the plugs.

    Think we will tough it out with sticking the magneto parts on the stock distributor.

    Might not be as slim looking as a Scintilla mag but oh well!
     
  16. RichFox
    Joined: Dec 3, 2006
    Posts: 10,020

    RichFox
    Member Emeritus

    See those engines in that picture? They are 1932 Plymouth engines. I wanted a finned aluminum high compression head for my Plymouth. Nobody makes them so I did. I wanted twin plugs so I drilled and tapped for them. I needed a twin distributor to fire twin plugs so I made that. Wanted fuel injection so I made that. Wanted an OHV conversion so I did that. You want things that don't exist, you need to stop talking about it and do it. I don't think any of your plans will work. But you don't know if you don't get busy and cut some metal.
     
    Last edited: Jan 15, 2020
  17. MR MOPAR
    Joined: Jun 7, 2011
    Posts: 116

    MR MOPAR
    Member
    from california

    Thank you Rich

    Going to run outside and swap carb parts in the can of Gunk carb cleanter.

    Why I am doing I will think of things to do to keep busy.
     
  18. 28dreyer
    Joined: Jan 23, 2008
    Posts: 1,166

    28dreyer
    Member
    from Minnesota

    [QUOTE="RichFox, post: 13407953, member: 23545"You want things that don't exist, you need to stop talking about it and do it. I don't think any of your plans will work. But you don't know if you don't get busy and cut some metal.[/QUOTE]

    Classic case of a doer here, and a dreamer.
     
  19. 19Eddy30
    Joined: Mar 27, 2011
    Posts: 2,314

    19Eddy30
    Member
    from VA

    Thats exactly what a Hot Rodder /racer does ,
    Think It & MAKE IT!!;)
     
  20. RichFox
    Joined: Dec 3, 2006
    Posts: 10,020

    RichFox
    Member Emeritus

    Here is a coil from a Vertex. Want to buy it? $25 and I'll pay shipping DSCN0219.JPG
     
    gimpyshotrods likes this.


  21. Irihsteve , I hope I did not come across being smart, Not my Intentions, I have a few vertex 1 with external coil for Nitro & A few Malory's and offset drives ,RCD , few 80s ,nobody wants, Mags seem to struggle on HAMB to get $300.00 for . I do not know why ,they should bring $500-700[/QUOTE]
    Not at all.Just good spirited banter.
     
  22. Elcohaulic
    Joined: Dec 27, 2017
    Posts: 2,212

    Elcohaulic

    I tried all kinds of ignitions, I always go back to stock single point distributor triggering a CD box...
     
  23. MR MOPAR
    Joined: Jun 7, 2011
    Posts: 116

    MR MOPAR
    Member
    from california

    Thank you for the responses

    'coil from a Vertex'

    Thank you sir.Sent you a pm.

    'stock single point distributor triggering a CD box'

    We own a Archerkit Radio Shack CDI box with bypass switch built in.That is for tuning

    up the points.Do not attach testers like Craftman Engine Analyzer to CDI box with it

    it in CDI position.

    Currently decided to ditch the wiring on tube frame go the magneto route.
     
  24. MR MOPAR
    Joined: Jun 7, 2011
    Posts: 116

    MR MOPAR
    Member
    from california

    Got THE WORD.

    Put the two four cylinder mags on.

    It was called a 'V Drive' in the early days.

    Run off the front of the camshaft.Gets you that 1/2 speed.

    This top magneto guy used the work 'weak'.

    He I believe is comparing it to Vertex type racing magnetos.

    Maybe H&C was standard output .Don't know.

    We are on the right trail.
     
  25. RichFox
    Joined: Dec 3, 2006
    Posts: 10,020

    RichFox
    Member Emeritus

    Did you see the picture I posted with two distributors? You can do the same thing with two mags. You don't need old V8-60 stuff. And where are all the wires in my picture you don't want? Hers two mags for you. See all the wires? R1-07918-015A_zps03172ad1.jpg
     
    Budget36 likes this.
  26. MR MOPAR
    Joined: Jun 7, 2011
    Posts: 116

    MR MOPAR
    Member
    from california

    Thank you Rich

    'same thing with two mags'

    Okay.I call that 'tandem' drive or adapter.

    Top magneto guy said the old way was two 4 cylinder mag's.

    Then hot rodders started improving them.Putting it in one compact unit.Hotted up spark.

    At that time he did not say how to drive them.

    THEN he mentioned later 'V drive' off the front of camshaft.

    It can be done either way.

    Tandem drive (side by side) is probably simple.It is simpler.

    You can just go in through stock distributor location.

    Job one is to get 4 cylinder mag and take it apart and see how it works.
     
  27. RichFox
    Joined: Dec 3, 2006
    Posts: 10,020

    RichFox
    Member Emeritus

    Last edited: Jan 16, 2020
  28. MR MOPAR
    Joined: Jun 7, 2011
    Posts: 116

    MR MOPAR
    Member
    from california

    'belt to drive the second mag'

    We are setup with place to get chains and sprockets.Would have to scare up belts and pulleys.Sneak by with regular belts and pulleys maybe.Just readjust pretty darn often.
    But the price is right.

    We are back to waiting on this guy until tomorrow about our 'farm' magneto.

    Will be really cool taking that apart! Our first magneto!
     
  29. Budget36
    Joined: Nov 29, 2014
    Posts: 13,174

    Budget36
    Member

    @RichFox

    I think you are talking to yourself. Well, maybe the top mag guy will see the post....
     
  30. MR MOPAR
    Joined: Jun 7, 2011
    Posts: 116

    MR MOPAR
    Member
    from california

    'doing the same thing'

    We are just duplicating what they did in the early days.Can get cute later.Just want to
    build without extra busy work of mounting regulator and what not.Wiring.Split loom.
    Grommets.Clamps.'Oh no Mr Bill!'

    The early setups were two of the same make magnetos I am scheming on.Whether BEFORE running them they were beefed up I do not know.

    We are on cruise with this one.

    Racing checklist.

    Tube chassis.Fuel injection.Supercharging/Turbo Supercharging.Magneto.All squared away.



    The guy said that is how it was done and said he is available if we have more questions.
     

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.