[SEL] IHC mag/distributor question.

[Michael Tucker]

>Facing the drive end it will turn and click counterclockwise, but I 
>cannot turn it clockwise very far as it feels like it is up against 
>a spring load.. What is the business direction? It behaves like a 
>rotary imulse mag, but the electrical lead coming in the lower part 
>of the case adds confusion.

Curt,

I'll offer up my limited info based on a similar mag (F4) that is on 
an IHC Farmall A.  From your description, the business direction is 
clockwise turning it through the impulse spring.  Here are some of 
the things that I would do to see if you can make it spark 
again.  Removing the rotor and the dark housing just below it should 
give you access to the points and you can the standard cleaning, etc. 
for those.  That electrical lead coming out of the lower part is the 
top post of the condenser.  On the opposite side of that post there 
is probably an access cover to get to the condenser.  Alternatively, 
take the cover off of the coil and you should be able to get at the 
condenser.  Tractor Supply should have both the points and condenser 
so I would probably just replace both of them.  While you have the 
coil cover off, go ahead and check with your ohm meter that the coil 
if still one continuous wire instead of two.  After you decide the 
coil is good and you have replaced the points and condenser put it 
all back together and put a plug wire complete with a plug in the 
post coming out of the coil.  Have Devin hold the plug and rotate the 
mag clockwise through the impulse.  If Devin jumps and screams after 
the impulse snaps then you've fixed the mag!  If not, it may need to 
have its magnets recharged.

As for timing it when you put it back on, you've either got it right 
or you are 180 out.  So turn the mag through so it is about to fire 
#1 and get the engine where it is coming up to top dead center on the 
compression stroke of # 1.  Put the mag on and it should be good to go.

Hope that helps,
Mike

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Mike Tucker
Midway, Kentucky USA
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