This site uses cookies to maintain login information on FarmallCub.Com. Click the X in the banner upper right corner to close this notice. For more information on our privacy policy, visit this link:
Privacy Policy

NEW REGISTERED MEMBERS: Be sure to check your SPAM/JUNK folders for the activation email.

Electronic Ignition

The Cub Club -- Questions and answers to all of your Cub related issues.
Forum rules
Notice: For sale and wanted posts are not allowed in this forum. Please use our free classifieds or one of our site sponsors for your tractor and parts needs.
Bob Crawford
10+ Years
10+ Years
Posts: 15
Joined: Mon Sep 24, 2012 5:47 pm
Zip Code: 06073

Electronic Ignition

Postby Bob Crawford » Mon Oct 08, 2012 11:52 am

Hello to all
Any information as to pros & cons on the electronic ignition for the Cubs?
Thinking about installing this to get the extra power for the hills on the farm. Does this actually add an additionl 8 to 15% power?
Seems easy enough to install but as always research,research,research!!!!!

SPONSOR AD

Sponsor



Sponsor
 

User avatar
Tezell
10+ Years
10+ Years
Posts: 2253
Joined: Fri Sep 10, 2010 5:23 pm
Zip Code: 39861
Tractors Owned: 76 Cub Denim Springs
49 Cub Denim Springs
51 Cub Uncle Harvey
"Jacksonville" 53 Cub
"Jackson" 76 Cub
"Louie" 64 Cub Fast Hitch
"Paw Paw"71 Cub Fast
Hitch
"Alvin" 72 Cub
"Ugly" 75 Cub
76 Cub Val
Mr. Kirkland" 77 Red Cub
77 Cub "Russell
76 Cub w/fast hitch "Edgar"
76 - 185 Cub Lo Boy
John Deere 2003 - 5320
Kubota 7060
Kubota 5400
Kubota 2680
John Deere 445
TO20 Ferguson
Circle of Safety: Y
Location: Jakin Georgia
Contact:

Re: Electronic Ignition

Postby Tezell » Mon Oct 08, 2012 11:59 am

Yes it does increase hp. My loboy starts easier and runs much smoother than before. I will be installing another one on my 71 model soon.

I got mine from Brillman in Virginia for around 80 bucks. Good investment.
"I ain't believing this!"

Eugene
Team Cub Mentor
Team Cub Mentor
Posts: 20336
Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2004 9:52 pm
Zip Code: 65051
Circle of Safety: Y
Location: Mo. Linn

Re: Electronic Ignition

Postby Eugene » Mon Oct 08, 2012 12:30 pm

Electronic ignition has been discussed several times on this board. Search function.

If you install an electronic ignition, save all of your points ignition parts. You will need them, when/if, the electronic ignition fails.
I have an excuse. CRS.

Bob Crawford
10+ Years
10+ Years
Posts: 15
Joined: Mon Sep 24, 2012 5:47 pm
Zip Code: 06073

Re: Electronic Ignition

Postby Bob Crawford » Mon Oct 08, 2012 3:47 pm

Tezell wrote:Yes it does increase hp. My loboy starts easier and runs much smoother than before. I will be installing another one on my 71 model soon.

I got mine from Brillman in Virginia for around 80 bucks. Good investment.



Sounds good. The one I was looking at is $112.00

WLM Cub
10+ Years
10+ Years
Posts: 67
Joined: Mon Aug 20, 2012 6:12 pm
Zip Code: 37801
eBay ID: bill6883
Tractors Owned: 49 Cub, 52 Cub, 57 Cub,71 MTD, Unico, Another 71 MTD Unico, 93 Craftsman, GT 6000, 97 Yard Machines and more.
Location: Maryville, Tn.

Re: Electronic Ignition

Postby WLM Cub » Mon Oct 08, 2012 3:56 pm

Just remember to re-gapp the plugs to .035 for best performance. You should not expect quite that much power gain, 3 to 5 would be more realistic. But they run and start better. Bill. wlm cub

User avatar
Virginia Mike
10+ Years
10+ Years
Posts: 1300
Joined: Tue Nov 23, 2004 7:21 pm
Zip Code: 24095
Tractors Owned: '49 Cub
'49 JD "B"
'79 JD 2040
'50 DB "Garden Tractor"
'52 DB "Super Power"
'56 DB "Big 5"
'62 DB "Super 600"
'37 McCormick Deering "LA" engine
Location: Stewartsville, Virginia

Re: Electronic Ignition

Postby Virginia Mike » Mon Oct 08, 2012 4:46 pm

$112 Vs. >$20 OEM? what am I missing?
Best,
Mike
Tractors are made to work!
"A Cub will do as much as a team of horses,.. More in hot weather!" - C. W. Spradlin 1909-1994

Eugene
Team Cub Mentor
Team Cub Mentor
Posts: 20336
Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2004 9:52 pm
Zip Code: 65051
Circle of Safety: Y
Location: Mo. Linn

Re: Electronic Ignition

Postby Eugene » Mon Oct 08, 2012 5:23 pm

WLM Cub wrote:You should not expect quite that much power gain, 3 to 5 would be more realistic.
Assuming that Bill's 3% to 5% gain is correct. For easy math let's assume 10 hp on the draw bar with an engine in excellent condition.

10 X .03 = 3/10th hp increase at the engine, bit less on the draw bar. 10 x .05 = 1/2 hp increase at the engine, bit less on the draw bar. A full tune up will increase engine performance.

If it's horse power and not torque you want, increase the engine's RPMs and get a bit more horse power.
I have an excuse. CRS.

Bill E Bob
10+ Years
10+ Years
Posts: 3034
Joined: Wed May 31, 2006 12:09 pm
Zip Code: 74070
Circle of Safety: Y
Location: OK, Skiatook

Re: Electronic Ignition

Postby Bill E Bob » Mon Oct 08, 2012 10:03 pm

WLM Cub wrote:Just remember to re-gapp the plugs to .035 for best performance. You should not expect quite that much power gain, 3 to 5 would be more realistic. But they run and start better. Bill. wlm cub


Really :? , didn't read that in the instructions (or missed it), but makes perfect sense. I'll have to regap the plugs on both my E/I Cubs. Thanks for the heads up :-:-):

User avatar
Yogie
Cub Pro
Cub Pro
Posts: 5237
Joined: Sat Sep 08, 2007 3:49 pm
Zip Code: 25271
eBay ID: yogiefisher
Tractors Owned: 37 John Deere A
63 Farmall Cub
53 Farmall Cub
56 Farmall Cub
IH 140
Massey 165 & 250
Circle of Safety: Y
Location: WV. Ripley

Re: Electronic Ignition

Postby Yogie » Tue Oct 09, 2012 3:34 am

I have them in all 3 of my cubs and love it. No worry about points burning or slipping out of adjustment a bit at a time until one day I have no power or it won't start at all. Starts faster, runs smooth and with my rebuilt engines using late model parts I could tell the difference in power.
I'd highly recommend them to everyone. :{_}:

Do a little more digging for better prices, the last set I got for around $80 at www.carshopinc.com
Image
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.
Ben Franklin

Gary Dotson
Team Cub Mentor
Team Cub Mentor
Posts: 5609
Joined: Thu Aug 03, 2006 6:20 am
Zip Code: 43358
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: Electronic Ignition

Postby Gary Dotson » Tue Oct 09, 2012 6:54 am

Yes, shop around for a good deal, I see the price on these all over the place. I've bought several from Carshop, that's a pretty good source. On the dyno, we saw 10% improvement in both horsepower & torque, on a 184, your results may vary. I've installed several of these on Cubs and all are working very well. In the Pertronix instructions, they say you "can" increase the plug gap to .035". We didn't do that for the dyno test, we should have re-gapped the plugs & made a third pull. I don't know how much difference that will make but I suspect it will not be much. At any rate, when new plugs are installed or you remove the plugs for any reason, you might as well open the gap up.

User avatar
Bus Driver
10+ Years
10+ Years
Posts: 2917
Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2006 5:26 pm
Location: NC

Re: Electronic Ignition

Postby Bus Driver » Tue Oct 09, 2012 7:20 am

I suspect that IH specified .0.025 as the plug gap because of the magnetos. The 0.025 gap is easier for the low voltage spark at cranking for the magneto and stresses the magneto coil insulation less at all speeds. A magneto produces greater spark voltage as speed increases. Battery ignition produces greatest spark voltage at slow speeds. IH used lots of Delco electrics on the tractors. Chevrolets of the Cub era also used Delco and a spark plug gap of 0.035. My 12 volt conversions and the one electronic ignition conversion are run with 0.035 plug gaps.
For battery ignitions using components similar to the Cubs, wider gaps give better performance at a low speeds and smaller gaps perform better at high speed. But high speed is well beyond 4000 RPM. Cubs at full speed are really not much more than fast idle.
I cannot discern any performance difference on the 140 with electronic conversion and a well-done points tuneup. But points do deteriorate with wear and corrosion and require attention eventually.
Luck favors those who are prepared

User avatar
Lurker Carl
Cub Pro
Cub Pro
Posts: 3970
Joined: Mon Feb 03, 2003 9:54 am
Zip Code: 16685
Circle of Safety: Y
Location: PA, Todd

Re: Electronic Ignition

Postby Lurker Carl » Tue Oct 09, 2012 7:57 am

Ignition timing retards as the point gap decreases. Electronic ignition eliminates both sources of power loss while providing consistant spark voltage regardless of engine rpm.
"Chance favors the prepared mind."
- Louis Pasteur

"In character, in manners, in style, in all things, the supreme excellence is simplicity."
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

User avatar
BIGHOSS
Cub Pro
Cub Pro
Posts: 1741
Joined: Tue Jul 18, 2006 9:55 pm
Zip Code: 37087
Tractors Owned: 1947 Cub S/N 9216
w/ C-22 Mower

1974 Cub S/N 244814
w/59 Woods Mower

Ford 3000 Gas S/N C375091 w/Bushhog QT2345 Loader & 6' Squealer Bushhog
and a Palomino Mare named GIGI
Circle of Safety: Y
Location: TN, Lebanon

Re: Electronic Ignition

Postby BIGHOSS » Tue Oct 09, 2012 8:26 am

Of course we could do what Gary Dotson did; install a diesel and eliminate this problem all together. :lol: :lol: :lol:
"Courage is being scared to death-but saddling up anyway".......John Wayne

Harold R
Team Cub Guide
Team Cub Guide
Posts: 3280
Joined: Thu Feb 20, 2003 4:54 pm
Zip Code: 71203
Tractors Owned: 1948,55, and 56 Farmall Cubs.
Circle of Safety: Y
Location: Louisiana

Re: Electronic Ignition

Postby Harold R » Tue Oct 09, 2012 8:57 am

They are available in 6v and 12v. My 6v '53 cub has the Pertronix and it runs great. I have a '69 cub that I switched over to 12v alternator charging system with the 12v pertronix and some how crossed a wire while changing out a battery. Some how it fried the pertronix. That was an $80 oops. I'd say you have to use a little more caution with them when changing out electrical components. Otherwise, it's a great conversion.

Jim Becker
Team Cub
Team Cub
Posts: 17214
Joined: Sun Feb 02, 2003 2:59 pm
Zip Code: 55319
Circle of Safety: Y
Location: MN

Re: Electronic Ignition

Postby Jim Becker » Tue Oct 09, 2012 9:28 am

Harold R wrote: That was an $80 oops. I'd say you have to use a little more caution with them when changing out electrical components.

True (in varying degrees) of nearly all components with solid state parts. The same oops could have easily included a one-wire alternator.


Return to “Farmall Cub”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 29 guests