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184 converted to Pertonix Ignition

Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2011 10:05 am
by outdoors4evr
I finally got around to converting the 184 to electronic ignition. I decided to pull the distributor off the tractor for the install. Having worked with distributors before, I rolled the engine to TDC on #1 cylinder and marked the rotor position on the distributor. Also marked a matching line from the distributor body to the tractor.
The points & condenser came out easily and the Pertronix 1442 from Helmar went into the distributor too easily. There seemed to be some slop when I put the rotor onto the shaft above the magnet. It just didn't seem to fit very tightly and some house cleaning found the rotor to be worn. :shock:
Put the assembly back on the tractor (lining up the marks) checked the plug wires and then started working on the wiring.
Since this is a 12V negative ground tractor with an internal ballast resistor inside the coil, the wiring was a breeze. Connect the red wire to the key powered side of the coil and connect the black to the other side (where the points were previously connected).
Satisfied with the install, I twisted the key and no fire. Connected the timing light to #1 and the timing light wouldn't flash - no spark. :x
Set #1 cylinder at TDC again and double checked all my marks. Seemed to be ok. Doesn't seem to be spark on any cylinders so maybe the coil wire got damaged during the removal and reinstall.

After two hours of tinkering and removing distributor again, I realized the magnet was not seated far enough down on the shaft. :oops:
Used a socket and a small hammer to seat it down and then noticed that the rotor engaged properly on the shaft. :-:-):
Reassembled and twisted the key and it fired! :{_}:
Got busy with the timing light and it is running as good as before. I am not exactly certain that I have the timing exactly on, but it is very close.

I would like to tip my hat to the moron that designed a timing mark on the opposite side of the tractor than the distributor. Good job on that design! :evil:

Re: 184 converted to Pertonix Ignition

Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2011 8:43 pm
by Phazer
outdoors4evr wrote: I would like to tip my hat to the moron that designed a timing mark on the opposite side of the tractor than the distributor. Good job on that design! :evil:



That's funny, you can't teach that stuff . . . :D

Re: 184 converted to Pertonix Ignition

Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2011 10:20 pm
by Jim Becker
outdoors4evr wrote:. . . and it is running as good as before.

That makes it all worth the effort. :?

Re: 184 converted to Pertonix Ignition

Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2011 6:26 am
by Gary Dotson
I've found that sometimes the magnet pushes on pretty tight and others slide right on. Maybe a little burr on the inside, I never looked, just pushed a little harder. I installed another one, in a fellow's Cub, a couple weeks ago, I guess I've done close to a dozen of them now, all are working great.

Re: 184 converted to Pertonix Ignition

Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2011 7:12 am
by outdoors4evr
Setting the timing at wide open throttle (WOT) is weird. First you adjust the timing at WOT, then you have to find a way to adjust the RPM's (still trying to find this), then come back and recheck the timing.

Re: 184 converted to Pertonix Ignition

Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2011 10:15 am
by Jim Becker
outdoors4evr wrote: then you have to find a way to adjust the RPM's (still trying to find this)

It is on the top of the part you would need x-ray vision to see through if the timing mark was on the same side as the distributor.

Re: 184 converted to Pertonix Ignition

Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2011 2:31 pm
by outdoors4evr
Anyone got a drawing or pic of what I need to adjust to set the RPM's?

Re: 184 converted to Pertonix Ignition

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 7:59 am
by Gary Dotson
It's the lever stop bolt on the top of the governor, but first make sure your cable is able to pull the lever far enough to contact the stop bolt. The throttle cable on the 184 is notorious for slipping out of adjustment.

Re: 184 converted to Pertonix Ignition

Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 9:19 am
by outdoors4evr
Thanks, I'll check it out.
On the 184, is the RPM of the PTO close enough to use as an engine RPM measurement or is it off by some known percentage that I can calculate?

Re: 184 converted to Pertonix Ignition

Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 10:10 am
by b52c130
Outdoors,
According to the 184 Operators Manual:
At High Idle; engine RPM = 2,510 / PTO RPM = 2,050
which equals a reduced ratio of 81.67%
See copy of page attached - NJDale

Re: 184 converted to Pertonix Ignition

Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2016 5:13 pm
by jksearch
I am returning the pertonix,although the instructions are simple my tractor does not start. It appears I receive 9 volts from the battery to the coil and I need 12 volts according to pertonix help desk.

Re: 184 converted to Pertonix Ignition

Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2016 6:20 pm
by Eugene
outdoors4evr wrote:I would like to tip my hat to the moron that designed a timing mark on the opposite side of the tractor than the distributor. Good job on that design! :evil:
Yup. Would have been just as easy to put the pointer and pulley timing marks on the right side of the engine.

Not as bad as some early Allis Chalmers where the timing marks are on the back side of the flywheel and the pointer mark is on the bottom of the bell housing. Some have a site hole on the back side of the bell housing. You get under the tractor to line up the timing marks.

Re: 184 converted to Pertonix Ignition

Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2016 7:37 am
by Mike H
jksearch wrote:I am returning the pertonix,although the instructions are simple my tractor does not start. It appears I receive 9 volts from the battery to the coil and I need 12 volts according to pertonix help desk.


welcome to the fourm

we swapped ours out last winter and it made a great difference in the 185 starting and operating for snow removal[0 to -5 degrees]

how much voltage do you have at the battery wen starting ?

Mike

Re: 184 converted to Pertonix Ignition

Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2016 7:52 am
by Eugene
jksearch wrote:I am returning the pertonix,although the instructions are simple my tractor does not start. It appears I receive 9 volts from the battery to the coil and I need 12 volts according to pertonix help desk.
Check the battery condition.
Move the battery ground cable from the sheet metal to the top of the transmission/differential.

Re: 184 converted to Pertonix Ignition

Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2016 11:23 am
by mastercraft
jksearch wrote:I am returning the pertonix,although the instructions are simple my tractor does not start. It appears I receive 9 volts from the battery to the coil and I need 12 volts according to pertonix help desk.
then something else is going on, (installer error)? my petronix was the best upgrade ever