Farmall A mag rebuilder

[Lt.Mike]

I’ve finally come to the realization that I’m up to my eyebrows in projects and though some are getting done I need to swallow my pride and take some shortcuts to be able to climb out on top.
One of which is needing two mags rebuilt for my 2 ‘46 A’s. I know about Brillman (at about $285)
Are there others out there that can do a complete rebuild of mine, exchange, or sell outright that you’d recommend ?

[Barnyard]

Try Rick Spivey on the forum.

[Lt.Mike]

Tried Rick but no response. Must be busy.
I did find a fellow up in Preble NY that has a side business rebuilding Mags. He charges $50 labor each mag which is extremely reasonable.
Additional cost for parts at $125 which is still cheaper than I could by a rebuild kit for.
I sent him the two I have to completely rebuild, time and test. He warranties them for a year as well. Brillman charges $285 after they get your core exchange. I’m getting my original mags back that came with the tractors too.
I’ve got the two ‘46 IA’s. One I’m keeping the other I’m robbing the better axle off of and the foot throttle then making it run right and presentable before I flip it. It’ll have a rebuilt Carb and mag, all serviced. I’ll make sure the buyer is aware of its history. Probably end up in front of a farm stand but it’ll run right if they want to use it. Just not front cultivating as the axle is brazed with a plug.

[inairam]

I have used this guy several times for cub mags http://www.rebuiltmags.com/index.php It looks as if he has H-4 in stock

[Lt.Mike]

I have used this guy several times for cub mags http://www.rebuiltmags.com/index.php It looks as if he has H-4 in stock

He’s better than Brillman at $225 vs $285 but the fellow I went with is $175 and I get my original mags back.
This is his info off his business card...
James Griswold
Specializing in tractor magnetos.
“Magneto Repairs Only”
Email; Magrus_08@yahoo.com
1882 Preble Rd
Preble NY 13141
Cell 607-423-6244
Written warranty available

[inairam]

I got my mags back with rebuilt mags once and a swap one once.

[Lt.Mike]

I got the final tally from Jim last night, $145 for each mag. That's $290 total for 2 magnetos. That's half the price of Brillman. Of course there's $20 in shipping to him and another $20 to ship back to me so all told it was $330 out of my pocket to get to Mags rebuilt with a year warranty on both.
I've got no complaints.
Once again here's his info...

James Griswold
Specializing in tractor magnetos.
“Magneto Repairs Only”
Email; Magrus_08@yahoo.com
1882 Preble Rd
Preble NY 13141
Cell 607-423-6244
Written warranty available

[Lt.Mike]

Ok got the Mags for my A's back today.
This fellow Jim Griswold does excellent work. When I first spoke with him he quoted me a price of $50 each mag for labor. parts and shipping would be more. I asked what was the worst case scenario of what it would run if a mag needed everything parts related, and he said $125 so $175 parts and labor would be the highest it would come too. It cost me just under $23 to ship priority out to him.
I got an email back a week after he recieved them saying all done, came too $145 each plus $20 return shipping, $310 total due. I can't complain about that.

Here's the guy....



Here's what I sent...



Here's what I got back...



Well packed...



Came with a written warranty and gaskets. What he rebuilds he runs for hours on a test machine he has to be sure it is sound.



Bit of an improvement ! The biggest thing I like about this is these are the mags I sent to him, they are not an exchange (serial #'s are the same).
They will go back on the tractors that they left the factory with.
He even threw in a couple pens with his business info on them



I have a new set of plugs and plug wires waiting to go on the A. Some fresh fuel and it'll be back to work after 2 + years of down time.

[SamsFarm]

Looks nice!

He use USA parts or chinese?

[Lt.Mike]

Looks nice!

He use USA parts or chinese?

Really don’t know but I don’t stress that because even if you buy from a US vendor virtually everything is made overseas now.
It’s been tested and comes with a year’s warranty. I’m sure if he’s willing to stand behind it he wouldn’t use parts that would make a return more likely.

[Lt.Mike]

Update on the A and it’s rebuilt Mag.
I installed it along with new wires and plugs.
I used the bore scope to bring #1 up to tdc and verified with the markings on the flywheel, that is after I dug out a buckets worth of pee soaked mouse nest that completely filled the torque tube cavity. I went to fire it and ... nothing.
Ok, starter won’t turn. Took it off, removed the saddle, cleaned it’s connections and cable connections. Back together and it cranks great now but no fire (?)
So I get ahold of Dale and she suggests I set tdc on the exhaust stroke. Ok, maybe, or a broken ring, stuck valve,... (of course I assume the worst)
Life got in the way and I had to attend to other things for a few days but you know that tractor was in the back of my head the whole time.
Got back on it today. Pulled all the plugs and removed the mag. I bore scoped each cylinder and there is zero scoring to the walls, there’s no cross hatching left but there’s zero damage. There’s no carbon either, in fact the piston tops look brand new. I Remember also when I pulled the valve cover the valley was immaculate.
I’m going to credit that to Seafoam and my regular use of Marvel Mystery Oil.
I did a compression test and all cylinders were about 90 across the board. Could be better but could also be a lot worse.
So, rings are ok, and no stuck valve so back to what Dale said. I hand cranked the engine with my thumb on #1 to feel the compression then lined up the mark on the flywheel.
Put the Mag back, cranked it and it fired !
You called it Dale
Ya it ran a little wonky at first till I got the timing right and it ran for a bit. Next issue then made itself known, the clutch was stuck.
Not a huge surprise being coated with mouse pee.
I pulled the side plug on the torque tube and sprayed the springs and shaft with WD40 and it did the trick. Drove it around for awhile and it just got better as I went.
Idles smooth, clutch works like butter, trans is quiet. This old ‘46 A is the best running tractor I have now.
It’s been one month shy of two years since it last ran and it feels great to have it running again.
Dale thank you again for your clear head and expert opinion.

[Dale Finch]

Sometimes even I get lucky! Sure hope it is on its way to smooooth running!!

[inairam]

Mike had the same thing. I have a 140 parked in the field. A few weeks ago I left the ignition on for two weeks by mistake so my points were shot. I pulled the distributor to do the turn-up in the barn and had a hard time getting the timing close to get it to start. It was is a lot harder than the cub for some reason and hard because the PO painted over the timing marks.

[SamsFarm]

Never a dull moment for @Lt.Mike!

[Lt.Mike]

Never a dull moment for @Lt.Mike!

No and I believe you make your own luck good and bad. I’m entirely capable of both.
Inairam, leaving the switch on with a distributor ignition will usually cook the coil too.
You might want to pick up another coil for the shelf as I think you might need it.
I pulled the tractor out of the shed this morning and noticed that the choke rod was still pulled.
Himmm, ok and it ran good like that yesterday and like that again this morning so... either the carb is in need of cleaning or the gasket is sucking air. I’ll go out after my second cup of coffee and get to it again. This one isn’t as big a deaL