Question on some magneto damage

Discuss all things Model T related.
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules

Topic author
LittleTimmy52
Posts: 106
Joined: Sat Jan 04, 2025 4:41 pm
First Name: Lucas
Last Name: Milatti
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1917 Model T Touring
Location: Saint cloud FL
Board Member Since: 2025

Question on some magneto damage

Post by LittleTimmy52 » Sun Oct 12, 2025 1:42 pm

The magneto on top you can see that the coating is broken off a little. Should I put something on it? Also while I'm here fishing out an aluminum cotter pin from the bottom what else should I do while the hogs head is off?
IMG_20251012_133805.jpg
IMG_20251012_133811.jpg


John kuehn
Posts: 4518
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 8:00 pm
First Name: John
Last Name: Kuehn
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 19 Roadster, 21 Touring, 24 Coupe
Location: Texas

Re: Question on some magneto damage

Post by John kuehn » Sun Oct 12, 2025 1:55 pm

If the magneto is working just put a sealer on it for now.


TXGOAT2
Posts: 7871
Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2021 10:08 pm
First Name: Pat
Last Name: McNallen
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926-7 roadster
Location: Graham, Texas
Board Member Since: 2021

Re: Question on some magneto damage

Post by TXGOAT2 » Sun Oct 12, 2025 1:57 pm

It looks like someone daubed some kind of goop over old, existing damage. Note the old carbon deposits on the copper winding. Anything you put on the oil soaked winding will probably come off sooner than later. I'd be concerned about loose flakes of the goop that has already come off being in the oil pipe or in the dip pan and the area around it. I'd make an effort to see that all loose material is out of the oil pipe and crank case and turn the engine and look carefully at the magnets for metallic fuzz or bits of wire, etc, and remove any that you find. I'd leave the coils alone, and carry a battery for backup ignition in case the magneto fails, which it may or may not do. I don't know if loose material in the oil could reach the valve spring area, but it would be easy to remove the covers and remove any foreign matter that may be in there.


Topic author
LittleTimmy52
Posts: 106
Joined: Sat Jan 04, 2025 4:41 pm
First Name: Lucas
Last Name: Milatti
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1917 Model T Touring
Location: Saint cloud FL
Board Member Since: 2025

Re: Question on some magneto damage

Post by LittleTimmy52 » Sun Oct 12, 2025 2:18 pm

The chunks that fell off I found in my transmission screen a few weeks ago, the oil was fine when I drained it too. But if I were to put something on it, what should I use as a sealer? And how can I clean off the oil and junk without damage? Electronics parts cleaner?


TXGOAT2
Posts: 7871
Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2021 10:08 pm
First Name: Pat
Last Name: McNallen
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926-7 roadster
Location: Graham, Texas
Board Member Since: 2021

Re: Question on some magneto damage

Post by TXGOAT2 » Sun Oct 12, 2025 2:30 pm

Several applications of contact cleaner might do it. I'd think it would be a challenge to get anything to stick to that. But if you could get something to bond to it, it might help prevent more of the material from flaking off. When the coils were originally potted, everything was clean and dry, or it should have been. The problem now is oil saturation, carbon deposits, and perhaps moisture. Brushing or scrubbing the exposed coils would be likely to cause a short.


mtntee20
Posts: 685
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 2:51 pm
First Name: Terry & Sharon
Last Name: Miller
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1920 Center Door, 1920 TTWood cab Farm Truck with cable dump grain bed, 1920 TT C-Cab with express bed, 1927 Wood body Dairy Delivery truck
Location: Westminster, CO
Board Member Since: 2017

Re: Question on some magneto damage

Post by mtntee20 » Sun Oct 12, 2025 3:27 pm

Lucas, You might try Glyptal (or Glyptol). It's used inside engines and gear boxes. BUT, the surfaces MUST be CLEAN, really clean.
In looking at your photos, the red stuff may just be Glyptal.

Good Luck.

User avatar

KWTownsend
Posts: 1461
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 6:51 pm
First Name: Keith
Last Name: Townsend
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: late 1911 touring, 1915 runabout, 1919 touring, brass speedster
Location: Gresham, Orygun
MTFCA Life Member: YES
Board Member Since: 1999

Re: Question on some magneto damage

Post by KWTownsend » Sun Oct 12, 2025 3:50 pm

I'd spray it down with brake clean then touch up with glyptol.


John kuehn
Posts: 4518
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 8:00 pm
First Name: John
Last Name: Kuehn
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 19 Roadster, 21 Touring, 24 Coupe
Location: Texas

Re: Question on some magneto damage

Post by John kuehn » Sun Oct 12, 2025 4:02 pm

I think the coating is what was put on it when it was recoated. Looks like it’s coated with electrical motor winding paint. Probably Glyptol was used to recoat the mag ring after it was cleaned up. It’s probably the original mag ring that hasn't been rewound or coated with varnish. If it’s working don’t worry about it. Clean it up put glyptol it until the engine is pulled for repairs or a rebuild.

User avatar

Ed Fuller
Posts: 827
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 10:06 pm
First Name: Ed
Last Name: Fuller
Location: NJ
Board Member Since: 2012

Re: Question on some magneto damage

Post by Ed Fuller » Sun Oct 12, 2025 4:07 pm

I would leave it alone.

It looks like there is wrapping tape under the read coating. If it's original, there is a good chance that it is cotton. It will be almost impossible to get it clean enough to get anything to stick to it since its been soaked in oil for many many years.

User avatar

RajoRacer
Posts: 5325
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:18 pm
First Name: Steve
Last Name: Tomaso
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Touring, 1919 Centerdoor, 1924 TT C-Cab Express, 1925 Racer
Location: Longbranch, WA
Board Member Since: 2001

Re: Question on some magneto damage

Post by RajoRacer » Sun Oct 12, 2025 4:33 pm

Is this the original '17 engine that was "updated" for an electric starter ? From the field coil damage, it's possible "stuff" had previously been tossed around to cause it. That doesn't appear to be a starter field coil as there is no notch for Bendix clearance.


TXGOAT2
Posts: 7871
Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2021 10:08 pm
First Name: Pat
Last Name: McNallen
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926-7 roadster
Location: Graham, Texas
Board Member Since: 2021

Re: Question on some magneto damage

Post by TXGOAT2 » Sun Oct 12, 2025 6:12 pm

I'd definitely want to add a transmission cover screen and check it every couple of hundred miles for loose debris. It's always a good idea when changing oil to drain it (hot) into a clean pan and then check for excess debris in the oil.

User avatar

AndreFordT
Posts: 530
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:25 pm
First Name: Andre
Last Name: Valkenaers
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 ; 1922 ; 1915.
Location: Scherpenheuvel

Re: Question on some magneto damage

Post by AndreFordT » Mon Oct 13, 2025 5:27 am

Just my opinion:

In the past I rebuild a few engines and about 50 magneto coilrings.
For me, the only right way to make the magneto work as it should be is to rebuild or replace the coilring.

All the short cuts are just temporaly and will go bad.
Band debris will get stuck between the coils.
The debris will charge with small metal dust and will short the coilring.
Photos will follow.
One of the coilrings (double oval) was looking good but didn't work. While testing the ring out of the engine it get fire.

Good luck
Andre
Belgium
Attachments
Model T urning magneto coil.jpg
DSCN6931.JPG
DSCN6929.JPG
DSCN6918.JPG
DSCN6914.JPG


bobt
Posts: 296
Joined: Tue Aug 13, 2019 5:43 am
First Name: Robert
Last Name: Thompson
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 touring 1926 roadster
Location: virginia

Re: Question on some magneto damage

Post by bobt » Mon Oct 13, 2025 6:40 am

I've never seen an aluminum cotter pin. bobt


Mike Silbert
Posts: 95
Joined: Sat Feb 08, 2020 11:30 pm
First Name: Mike
Last Name: Silbert
Location: Sykesville Md
MTFCA Life Member: YES

Re: Question on some magneto damage

Post by Mike Silbert » Mon Oct 13, 2025 8:19 am

Make sure to also check the internal (and maybe external) oil tube(s) for junk.
Clogging that will shorten bearing life.

Mike


TXGOAT2
Posts: 7871
Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2021 10:08 pm
First Name: Pat
Last Name: McNallen
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926-7 roadster
Location: Graham, Texas
Board Member Since: 2021

Re: Question on some magneto damage

Post by TXGOAT2 » Mon Oct 13, 2025 10:54 am

What we have here... is a failure to insulate!


Topic author
LittleTimmy52
Posts: 106
Joined: Sat Jan 04, 2025 4:41 pm
First Name: Lucas
Last Name: Milatti
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1917 Model T Touring
Location: Saint cloud FL
Board Member Since: 2025

Re: Question on some magneto damage

Post by LittleTimmy52 » Mon Oct 13, 2025 12:06 pm

RajoRacer wrote:
Sun Oct 12, 2025 4:33 pm
Is this the original '17 engine that was "updated" for an electric starter ? From the field coil damage, it's possible "stuff" had previously been tossed around to cause it. That doesn't appear to be a starter field coil as there is no notch for Bendix clearance.
Yes my t should not have a starter but it does, the previous previous owner put it in and also did the classic fix to flip. The cut corners show here and there in some repairs.


Topic author
LittleTimmy52
Posts: 106
Joined: Sat Jan 04, 2025 4:41 pm
First Name: Lucas
Last Name: Milatti
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1917 Model T Touring
Location: Saint cloud FL
Board Member Since: 2025

Re: Question on some magneto damage

Post by LittleTimmy52 » Mon Oct 13, 2025 12:10 pm

Is glyptol similar to liquid electric tape? Or should I just try to track some down? I am aiming to put it back together today or tomorrow because the weather is clear and I keep the car outside and covered for lack of a garage, if I wait I'll get rain and won't be able to work.


Topic author
LittleTimmy52
Posts: 106
Joined: Sat Jan 04, 2025 4:41 pm
First Name: Lucas
Last Name: Milatti
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1917 Model T Touring
Location: Saint cloud FL
Board Member Since: 2025

Re: Question on some magneto damage

Post by LittleTimmy52 » Mon Oct 13, 2025 12:11 pm

Mike Silbert wrote:
Mon Oct 13, 2025 8:19 am
Make sure to also check the internal (and maybe external) oil tube(s) for junk.
Clogging that will shorten bearing life.

Mike
How do you get to this inside tube, the outside one I can remove and clean but idk where the internal one is.


mtntee20
Posts: 685
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 2:51 pm
First Name: Terry & Sharon
Last Name: Miller
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1920 Center Door, 1920 TTWood cab Farm Truck with cable dump grain bed, 1920 TT C-Cab with express bed, 1927 Wood body Dairy Delivery truck
Location: Westminster, CO
Board Member Since: 2017

Re: Question on some magneto damage

Post by mtntee20 » Mon Oct 13, 2025 1:45 pm

Glyptal is a heavy paint on coating that, when cured, is oil proof.

User avatar

ewdysar
Posts: 333
Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2019 6:48 pm
First Name: Eric
Last Name: D
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Touring, 1915 Speedster #32, 1916 Touring, 1927 Runabout
Location: Greater Portland area

Re: Question on some magneto damage

Post by ewdysar » Mon Oct 13, 2025 2:05 pm

Or more specifically: (from the manufacturer)

The outstanding all-purpose paint.
Although 1201 was orginally developed as an insulating paint for electrical applications
such as the treatment of coils and armatures
, its outstanding resistance to corrosion, moisture, oil,
acid, heat, dust and salt spray has made it popular throughout industry as a Primer, Sealer, Adhesive and
Protective Finish. There are literally hundreds of uses for 1201. Some of the more typical industry
uses include:

• Primer for structural iron and steel
• General plant maintenance
• Sealer for concrete floors
• Primer and finish for motor, generator, and transformer housings
• Anti-moisture coating on thermostat, water cooler, and truck control parts
• Sealer for pipe and stud threads and vacuum systems
• Anti-corrosion protection for winches and other outdoor apparatus
• Electrical insulation for coils and armatures
• Adhesive for gaskets
• Coating for interior of hydraulic tanks, and bearing cases.


Keep crankin',
Eric


mtntee20
Posts: 685
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 2:51 pm
First Name: Terry & Sharon
Last Name: Miller
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1920 Center Door, 1920 TTWood cab Farm Truck with cable dump grain bed, 1920 TT C-Cab with express bed, 1927 Wood body Dairy Delivery truck
Location: Westminster, CO
Board Member Since: 2017

Re: Question on some magneto damage

Post by mtntee20 » Mon Oct 13, 2025 2:41 pm

Thank You Eric

Much better than my post. I did NOT know it was used for ALL those applications. I've only witnessed inside gear cases, engine blocks, and on electrical items.

This is a great forum.

Terry

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic