Tune-up

[Glen]

Stan, I sent the PM to capefarm

[Gary S.]

I see my post is gone but back in the early 70's our mag went out. Dad needed the tractor yesterday which is normal when something goes bad. It can sit for a month and then all of a sudden you need it. The dealer sold him the conversion and has been running ever since. He told us that the battery might not have enough charge to turn the starter but would have enough juice in it to fire if you hand cranked it. Only time I have ever used the crank is to set the valves. So let's do the math- mag 23 years, distributor 51 and counting, LoBoy 64 years on it's distributor. I'm not going back.

[Glen]

Hi,
Here is a page from the 1949 Cub owner's manual telling how to time the magneto to the engine, if you need it.

http://farmallcub.com/rudi_cub/www.clea ... age-32.jpg

The point gap for the magneto is .013", you need a flat feeler gauge to set the gap.

[Clemsonfor]

Putting aside what she says, I have liked and learned a lot watching her videos...at the very least to see the parts and learn the names....when I started I knew how to change the oil in my truck and that is all I knew...and I suspect I am not alone.

Not me I fixed almost anything on my vehicles before the tractor. Water pumps, timing belts, gaskets , all the fluids, anything brake related beside ABS pumps I have replaced, every accessory, Every single part of a Auto AC system I have replaced, recycle and vac and fill them as well. I have seen a few of the Gingels videos. And many other cub videos. I put more value in what folks say here about Cubs and what they say to listen to and who they say not to. But sure if you don't know what or where a carburetor, spark plug, or distributor cap is it's good for learning those names I guess.

[Glen]

Hi,
It looks like in your first picture on page 1 of this post that someone has changed the oiler on the magneto.
It originally has an oil cup like the 2 on the generator. They have a hinged, opening flat top, that is spring loaded to stay closed.
Stan's pic of the magneto in his last post on page 1 of this post shows the oil cup.
I think they have said on here that McMaster Carr has new oil cups.

[capefarm]

My gratitude to all of you for your good advice. Having never tuned-up a magneto ignition before, it seemed at first a mystery. It took three tries, but when everything was lined up correctly, it started on the first crank, something the Cub had never done since owning it. This video about static timing was also helpful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqucExhxXdE
I'm inclined to agree with those who said to keep the magneto. After all this time it still works.
All this was initiated by what I thought was a starter problem. There is nothing wrong with the starter, even after engine has run for awhile. Somewhere along the battery to starter cable there's been an abrasion causing a short. Easy enough to track down.

[staninlowerAL]

Glad to hear that the starting problems have been resolved. If you don't have the service manual GSS 1012 for magneto and battery ignition systems you can download a copy at the Quick links tab, top left corner of this page, pdf manuals.

[capefarm]

Glen,
McMaster Carr is an amazing place, and they do indeed have oil cups with hinged lid.

[Glen]

Hi,
Good that you got the Cub to run.
Thanks for saying about the oil cup at McMaster Carr.

If you buy an oil cup, when installing it, I think they have said on here, open the top of it, and find a punch the right size that fits and fills the larger part of it, and then gently hammer it into the hole in the magneto.

[Barebones]

"I like the fact that I can start (with the hand crank) and use a tractor with a magneto and without a battery!"

Agreed! My Barebones is special that way. Key: being thoroughly tuned for trusty starts.

Same logic with my jon boat. Got some new oars and put an old-fashioned gloss finish on 'em. No motor - gas or electric. Don't need any registration numbers (and related fees) on it, either, because it has no motor. I always feel as though I'm getting away with something when aboard. And, if I'm ready to go, so is my unique tractor and old-school boat. Simple. Just not normal anymore.

[CharlieK]

fully agree with you barebones----antique tags on most of my toys except 2 '99 harleys and my '06 CTD dodge pu laramie with junkyard flatbed---and the 2 harleys will have antique tags come jan. '24