What issues could I expect if I were to run a Vertex magneto on a street rod? Car would have a warmed up 400ci SBC and driven occasionally on the street, but not a daily, high mileage driver. Thaks foryour help.
Ran one in a small block Ford street car for about a year with no problems. Lots of static in radio. Used a single position light switch for ON-OFF Push button for starter. SPEEDY
Thanks, gents. I wont have a radio so no issue there. Many years ago I also ran a mag with off-on switch and push button for starter, but that was a strip only car.
For street use you'll want to have working advance and not run one locked out. The kit can be installed in any Vertex should yours have a fixed plate. I believe you have two choices - 7 deg & 12 deg. That distributor degrees, so double for crank degrees. So with a 12 deg advance in the mag and 10 degrees initial you'll get your standard 34 deg all in. Many places can alter the degree curve for your application.
I ran both a Vertex, in my '48 Chev, and a Pounden magneto in my '32 phaeton, both on th street with no problem. You'll have to gap your plugs tighter, .018 if I remember but it was a long time ago. And yes, just a toggle, rated for the application, as a kill switch. Used to be quite a few places that would check out/rebuild magnetos but that was when the circle track guys used them. They have all gone electronic and for a while the circle track swap meets out here had lots of mags for decent prices.
i ran a vertex for years on a 354 blown hemi. it started and ran great. the plug gap was .020. use the correct plug wires for a mag. solid core i believe.
I run a vertex on my 350 sb in my 32 pickup. Had it on there for 5 years now with no troubles. She is wormed up to about 500hp with a 4 speed and a 9 inch love it lotsa fun to drive.--TV
Ran one for about 65000 miles in my 3 window. Never had a problem but always had a complete ignition system in the trunk. Hard to find mag parts on the road coming home on Sunday.
Ran a Vertex magneto on my 5 window with SBC for a year after two Taylor-Vertex look-a-like distributors crapped out. I wired mine through a relay so my ignition switch controlled the use of ground when starting and turning off the engine. Magneto worked great and fired almost instantly. Only problem I had was with my SW electric speedometer as the magneto noise drives it crazy. Tried filters and grounded and shielded wiring but it didn't help. After a year and a half Taylor-Vertex finally got my look-a-likes retrofitted and I went back to them. A year on those units and they are working great and do not affect the speedometer.
The look-a-likes are calling my name. http://www.huntmagnetos.com/products/joe-hunt-high-performance-distributor.html http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Chevy-V8-Mag-Look-Electronic-Distributors,1695.html