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184 converted to Pertonix Ignition

IH CUB Lo-Boy Series - 154, 184, 185 Forum -- Questions and answers to all of your Lo-Boy related issues.
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outdoors4evr
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Tractors Owned: 184
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184 converted to Pertonix Ignition

Postby outdoors4evr » Fri Apr 22, 2011 10:05 am

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:
184 w/ Creeper & 3-Point
IH 3160a Mower
IH Model 15 Tiller
IH-54 Blade

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Phazer
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Re: 184 converted to Pertonix Ignition

Postby Phazer » Fri Apr 22, 2011 8:43 pm

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

Jim Becker
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Re: 184 converted to Pertonix Ignition

Postby Jim Becker » Fri Apr 22, 2011 10:20 pm

outdoors4evr wrote:. . . and it is running as good as before.

That makes it all worth the effort. :?

Gary Dotson
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49 Leader "D" (Princess)
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Re: 184 converted to Pertonix Ignition

Postby Gary Dotson » Sat Apr 23, 2011 6:26 am

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.

outdoors4evr
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Joined: Tue Jul 22, 2008 12:44 pm
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Tractors Owned: 184
Location: Oxford, MI

Re: 184 converted to Pertonix Ignition

Postby outdoors4evr » Sun Apr 24, 2011 7:12 am

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.
184 w/ Creeper & 3-Point
IH 3160a Mower
IH Model 15 Tiller
IH-54 Blade

Jim Becker
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Re: 184 converted to Pertonix Ignition

Postby Jim Becker » Sun Apr 24, 2011 10:15 am

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.

outdoors4evr
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Tractors Owned: 184
Location: Oxford, MI

Re: 184 converted to Pertonix Ignition

Postby outdoors4evr » Mon Apr 25, 2011 2:31 pm

Anyone got a drawing or pic of what I need to adjust to set the RPM's?
184 w/ Creeper & 3-Point
IH 3160a Mower
IH Model 15 Tiller
IH-54 Blade

Gary Dotson
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Tractors Owned: 48 Cub Diesel (Cubota)
53 Cockshutt 20 restored (Shooter)
52 Cockshutt 20 unrestored
47 Leader "B" (Herckie)
49 Leader "D" (Princess)
49 Leader "D" very rough
48 Leader "D" unrestored
Kubota B6200E
Kubota B6200HST
Kubota B8200HST-D
Circle of Safety: Y
Location: OH West Mansfield

Re: 184 converted to Pertonix Ignition

Postby Gary Dotson » Tue Apr 26, 2011 7:59 am

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.

outdoors4evr
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Tractors Owned: 184
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Re: 184 converted to Pertonix Ignition

Postby outdoors4evr » Wed Apr 27, 2011 9:19 am

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?
184 w/ Creeper & 3-Point
IH 3160a Mower
IH Model 15 Tiller
IH-54 Blade

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b52c130
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Re: 184 converted to Pertonix Ignition

Postby b52c130 » Wed Apr 27, 2011 10:10 am

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
Attachments
Page-57 Small.jpg
184 Operators Manual - Specifications Page
Page-57 Small.jpg (38.28 KiB) Viewed 2211 times

jksearch
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Re: 184 converted to Pertonix Ignition

Postby jksearch » Tue Jun 07, 2016 5:13 pm

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.

Eugene
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Re: 184 converted to Pertonix Ignition

Postby Eugene » Tue Jun 07, 2016 6:20 pm

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.
I have an excuse. CRS.

Mike H
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1972 SS12 retro fitted
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Re: 184 converted to Pertonix Ignition

Postby Mike H » Wed Jun 08, 2016 7:37 am

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

Eugene
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Re: 184 converted to Pertonix Ignition

Postby Eugene » Wed Jun 08, 2016 7:52 am

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.
I have an excuse. CRS.

mastercraft
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Re: 184 converted to Pertonix Ignition

Postby mastercraft » Tue Aug 09, 2016 11:23 am

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


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