Magneto contact
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Topic author - Posts: 30
- Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2023 3:22 pm
- First Name: Vince
- Last Name: Ostapowich
- Location: Bagot Manitoba
Magneto contact
Good afternoon ,
I was just finishing up the last of the wiring and then ,, woops .
Appears the contact had been previously epoxied .
That would explain the stakon connector .
Il order a new magneto tower but I’m unsure of how to determine if the contactor is the correct height .
If not long enough then no voltage ,, but if too long I don’t want to damage the coil .
Can anyone provide some guidance on fit up ?
Thanks , Vince
I was just finishing up the last of the wiring and then ,, woops .
Appears the contact had been previously epoxied .
That would explain the stakon connector .
Il order a new magneto tower but I’m unsure of how to determine if the contactor is the correct height .
If not long enough then no voltage ,, but if too long I don’t want to damage the coil .
Can anyone provide some guidance on fit up ?
Thanks , Vince
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- Posts: 2261
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:39 am
- First Name: Tim
- Last Name: Juhl
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1917 Touring
- Location: Thumb of Michigan
- Board Member Since: 2018
Re: Magneto contact
I believe the contact pin is spring loaded so it does not require trimming or adjustment.
1917 Touring
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep (sold 2023)
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep (sold 2023)
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor
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- First Name: Norman
- Last Name: Kling
- Location: Alpine California
Re: Magneto contact
There should be a solder spot about the size of a dime at the top of the magneto coil. If the magneto coils are not broken somewhere on the magneto ring, that spot should be grounded through the coils to the opposite end of the coils. Take a ohm meter and test for ground on that solder plug inside the hogs had at the top of the coil ring. Then install the terminal at the top and test. If you test for a ground from the hogs head and the wire terminal on the contact, you should be just fine. Only way to be sure the magneto is working is to start up the engine and test the voltage at the top. If the magneto is working, and you are running on magneto, the voltage go up with the rpm of the engine.
Norm
Norm
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Re: Magneto contact
Helps to check the length of that spring loaded reproduction mag contact, as it differs from Ford original coil spring contact.
Some solder pads on the field coil ring are tall, and the long point on the reproduction may be too long and need trimming . Check first that the mag contact base seats fully before forcing the part on the transmission cover.
In this case the spring loaded point was too long.
Some solder pads on the field coil ring are tall, and the long point on the reproduction may be too long and need trimming . Check first that the mag contact base seats fully before forcing the part on the transmission cover.
In this case the spring loaded point was too long.
The best way is always the simplest. The attics of the world are cluttered up with complicated failures. Henry Ford
Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain. Henry Ford
Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain. Henry Ford
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- Posts: 2
- Joined: Sat Jan 11, 2025 11:00 am
- First Name: Kerry
- Last Name: OMalley
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Depot Hack 1920
- Location: Nottingham PA
Re: Magneto contact
I'm trying to bring a 1920 T back to life.
I have this similar problem. The engine dies on switching to MAG. I pulled the magneto post and it was covered in fibers. Once cleaned, it was a little quarter inch long needle-like spring as pictured above. And the T suppliers advertise posts that look much longer. The engine still dies on switching to MAG.
"In this case the spring loaded point was too long."
How do you determine what length to cut the new replacement magneto post?
I have this similar problem. The engine dies on switching to MAG. I pulled the magneto post and it was covered in fibers. Once cleaned, it was a little quarter inch long needle-like spring as pictured above. And the T suppliers advertise posts that look much longer. The engine still dies on switching to MAG.
"In this case the spring loaded point was too long."
How do you determine what length to cut the new replacement magneto post?
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- Posts: 1908
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 8:20 pm
- First Name: Robert
- Last Name: Jablonski
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Runabout
- Location: New Jersey
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- Board Member Since: 1999
Re: Magneto contact
Deperdussin1910..... Sounds like your magneto contact is okay but your magnets have to be recharged. .... Doesn't need engine dismantling, can be done in car with care.
Last edited by Moxie26 on Fri Aug 15, 2025 8:44 am, edited 1 time in total.
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- Posts: 366
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- First Name: John
- Last Name: Zibell
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Tudor
- Location: Huntsville, AL
Re: Magneto contact
Take a look at what Norman Kling wrote above and check for continuity. Have your magnets been recharged? Is the coil ring good? Not really enough information on why the car dies on magneto.Deperdussin1910 wrote: ↑Fri Aug 15, 2025 8:32 amI'm trying to bring a 1920 T back to life.
I have this similar problem. The engine dies on switching to MAG. I pulled the magneto post and it was covered in fibers. Once cleaned, it was a little quarter inch long needle-like spring as pictured above. And the T suppliers advertise posts that look much longer. The engine still dies on switching to MAG.
"In this case the spring loaded point was too long."
How do you determine what length to cut the new replacement magneto post?
1926 Tudor
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- Posts: 1908
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 8:20 pm
- First Name: Robert
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- Board Member Since: 1999
Re: Magneto contact
Just remember, the magneto puts out AC voltage. Make sure your test equipment is set for AC voltage between 0 and 10 to check idle voltage which should be around 6 to 8 volts AC, ... Mid-throttle engine speed should give you 25 volts AC.