Does my A need magneto work?

[mcwinter]

Looking for some feedback on my 1939 Farmall A performance before investing in ignition system repairs. Tractor has magneto ignition. Symptoms include: hard starting most of the time, engine randomly dies when warm as if the ignition was grounded, may not restart right away but will restart after a cooing period. From other experiences I have read about with these symptoms, sounds like one or more parts of the ignition system are dying. The plugs were replaced about 5-6 years ago, but no other ignition work has been done for at least 13-14 years. I plan to remove the magneto and have it rebuilt rather than try to piece-meal it myself.

Anyone have a reference for a good magneto shop near Rockford, IL?

[Slim140]

http://www.standardmagneto.com

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

Sounds like either a mag coil or condenser most likely, however if points are burned they will also cause problems.

[Jong1821]

Try cleaning or changing the points. Check the gap. If this doesnt work it's more than likely the coil. That's what my A started to do before the coil died.

[rustybronco]

If the mag snaps properly, take it apart and replace the points, condenser and possibly the coil if it isn't to expensive.

[SONNY]

Mags are a joke,----but I have found 9 times out of 10 the coils die in them first. --- File your points first and try that. sometimes you get lucky and that is all you need to do. next up you may have to remove points to get a good look at them---if look bad--get new ones and dont even mess with the old ones. points ,condenser, and might need new cap. If your plugs have been in there that long and sat a lot---they too are more than likely weak. wires on mags have to be copper core---nothing else will work, so be sure you have the right wires.
I redid one and got great spark---still wouldnt run so I put a dist. on it and started right up , ran better than ever. ---- I guess its whatever you prefer but dist. on everything for me! lol!

[EZ]

Or, dirt in the gas line.
It's a thing, Believe me.