Timing & Installing a Magneto Onto a 4-Cylinder Tractor 

SO many people that don't know all this, make it way too hard trying to time their engine. I think the most often committed mistake people make, is not finding the compression stroke first. They bring #1 to the TDC mark on the flywheel , thinking they have it, not realizing TDC comes twice on every cylinder in a 4 stroke engine and you HAVE to have spark on the compression stroke. Some know about getting it to the compression stroke, but think you have to take the valve cover off to see when both valves are closed at TDC. That's just added unnecessary work when a finger over the plug hole will tell you the same thing.

Thank you Rudy. I'm getting ready to overhaul an H4 magneto on a friend's McCormick-Deering W6 tractor.

I like how you put the mag on the tractor explaining very well thanks

Wow, so much easier and clearer than what the original manual even says.

very helpful, had no clue how these things worked until now!

Thank you finally got my old tractor started.

Glad to see im not the only person who has a "little buddy" living in the storage compartment on my allis 🤣

Thank you Rudy (and Kenny). Yes, this video was very informative indeed.

Great video. I had Rudy rebuild my 37 ZTU mag about ten years ago. Starts and runs like new.

Thanks I am trying to revive a 1944 AC b that had a bad crankshaft. I got it after sitting in a garage for 15 years. I've been watching a lot of videos and now I can put the mag on correctly. Thanks again. 😊

Thanks sir,I am in the process of getting my 1951 wd up and going. I can't wait to hear the old girl !!

Great info. We actually have that IH mag on an '45 Farmall A. No batteries req'd!

Thanks Rudy, Your rebuilt Mag helped my Allis B run just like the one in your video on the first start attempt.

Very helpful. I’m doing my first mag timing on a 1952 International TD9. It was explained to me, I read the manual, seeing someone do it helps that last little bit. Thank You !

I would love to have a mag perform that well. Outstanding work and explanation! 👏👍

By all means bring us more. I used your Deere video after my rebuild and mind you I am not a master mechanic but just like your Allis mine started right up first try. I used to think mags were a very complicated mechanism but you have simplified them to the point maybe if and when mine gives a problem I will be able to figure out what is going on. Thanks for your quick service and all you do. Oh yea Hi Kenny!

I'm glad I came across this video. The tractor on my profile picture is a 1946 Allis Chalmers C. I keep the pic there to remind me I got to get her running. Almost had it running last night. Backfired something fierce. After we clean the points and got her off timing. Going to try again tomorrow. Thanks for your knowledge and your willingness to share.

Excellent instruction! I am restoring a '43 Allis Chalmers C with that same mag. I have never worked on a mag. so this was very helpful thank you!!

You did a Great job, explaining how a Magneto works!! I know the problem with my Oliver oc-3, I didn't know about timing it for #1 plug.

The website you listed for mags is actually your RU-vid channel

Got my Mag from you today. Great video.. Thanks from NC

Rudy u rebuilt a magneto for my step dad a few years ago, u did an awesome job on it an u were quick to return it rebuilt !! I got myself a 1952 allis chalmers WD and i think the magneto migjt be bad i know its not a good sign when it has a coil bracket screwed to the top of it !

Thank you so much!! I bought a C with a locked engine and finally got it free. Had tons of trial and error with the lining up of the gears under the cap. Now I'm sure it will run!

Most helpfully explained, thanks very much!

Wisconsin engine videos would be great. But thank you so much.

Awesome video Rudy. Just bought me a 1944 Allis Chalmers C. Same setup that you had in your video.

Thank you so much

Thanks

great video, thanks

Thank you!

Thank you very much. I have a ac wd without a mag. It has points. My farmall does have a mag. I had one man work on it. He got it to run but the impulse does not work. Do I need to worry about that? My father once had a shop to work on it. In the paper work they stated they recharged the magnets. That was 50 years ago. How often does that need to be done? The old tractor is still helping in the garden today. Thank you very much I did enjoy the video.

I see you turning that IHC mag left and right. I have one that only turns to the left. Anyway to reverse that?

awesome 👍.

i would love to find a VW type 1 Stationary Engine mag xd , yeah its not tractor related but is still a 4 cylinder with a 1-4-3-2 firing order. Could probs still use the same mag just belt driven at the correct speed.

Hi, very informative video. I am working on a Minneopolis Moline ZAU. I believe it is a 1960. When I try to start I get smoke from the exhaust and it seems to be near starting. I put on a new rotor and plug wires and plugs. You mentioned that there are tractors that do not need to have timing checked. Does this apply to the Moline?

Yes please get in depth

Hello! Great video! I just pulled an American bosch magneto off of my old Lincoln continental welder. Im learning a lot! Do you have any knowledge on this brand of magneto sir?

I have a Wico x xh3001 Mag. on a lincoln welder . It only sparks once when it clicks but stop sparking after that or very weak . Any suggestions. Thanks

Would like more information on F4 mags

Totally unrelated but! What camera did you shoot this video on? It is super nice image quality!

U 😊😊 should always start the sparkplugs by hand 1ST then use a deep wall socket and tighten up the tractor sounds good 😊🎉 OMG 4 14 2O24

Rudy, I am starting a Welding,fabrication,foundry and light machine shop specializing in pre-war boat tail racers and many use magnetos and if they do not then they should. Are there any good repair manuals out there that I can use to learn about servicing and rebuilding and maybe even making my own line of magnetos. I am starting my RU-vid channel with a 1928 Morgan Aero GN Special. I sourced an opposed twin experimental aircraft engine and I am supercharging it and I would like it to have a magneto. I am casting an aluminum two piece adapter to mate it to an MG transmission to have 4 gears forward and a reverse along with decent rear brakes...

On the Fairbanks Morse j4 b3 magneto how do you line up the gears to time the magneto so it will make spark

Where can I find that wire spark plug wire from my tractor to Farmall h

Hello, do you know the firing order on the Minneoopolis Moline ZAU? Thank you

Hello, I'm from Switzerland. I need the fahrbanks magneto for my Allis, built in 1949, 4 cylinders petrol Model B. FM-J, where can I get a new magneto or a used one. Please send me price with shipping. Thanks

I'm thinking about making the 11hr trip to you how far are u booked out to have it dun while I wait

Part part of the country do you live? What town and state? I need to get in touch with you

So I have a regular Ole distributor, could I change to a mag setup?

The timing is 3421

So, do you stop hand cranking for #1 cylinder as soon as you start feeling air coming out #1 spark plug hole OR do you go until all of the air has been pushed out????

What do you charge for a mag

What if it's not giving a spark and i replaced the coil and condensor

Rudy , frank guttmann idk if u got my emails being the internet is not working correctly in kentucky ! I hope u got my 52 allis chalmers magneto not trying to rush u rebiulding it , i just like to pay u before something happens with the internet

I😊😊 know what U are talking about the fiber wire 😮😮 is junk copper sparkplug wire is better it carries the current alot better and is hotter spark at the sparkplugs and that's what U should use on tractors trucks cars 😊😊 OMG 4 14 2O24

You went thru all that time explaining the basics, and got to the point where you could actually explain how to get the timing set right and you didn’t even talk about how to adjust the timing once it is on…. Practically a waste of time watching

How do know if the firing order is 1-3-4-2 or 1-2-4-3 on a Oliver oc-3 1954?