electronic ignition

chuck t · Aug 9, 2012

Friend was talking about. He has some starting/running problems with his Massey 245 gasser and we know little about electronic ignition. What parts need to be bought to do the job? About how much do they cost? How hard is this job, and how long does it take?

David G · Aug 9, 2012

I would correct the problems before changing over. The
electronic ignition will enhance the running, not fix other
issues.

Don-Wi · Aug 10, 2012

You buy a kit that has everything you need. It replaces the points and condensor, and if I remember right you remove the whole plate that those components mount on to. I haven't had to open the cap since I did the switch on my 1600 oliver. I had dad order a kit for our 165 as it's been eating those components lately, probably because of the cheaper quality parts.

If his problems are fixed by an ignition overhaul then an electric ignition conversion will do him some good. I don't believe you have to replace the coil with a new one unless your coil is bad.

Donovan from wisconsin

Two Dogs · Aug 10, 2012

Try it. You'll like it. TDF

John T · Aug 10, 2012

Just a good standard stock tune up (points, plugs, plug wires, cap and rotor etc) up may fix the problem IFFFFFFFFFF ITS IGNITION RELATED. Elec Ignition is NOT a cure all or magic elixir for other problems, and while many report improved idling and starting, it probably dont add much, if any at all, horsepower whatsoever. In addition, if points burn you can file them and get back to the barn, while if an elec ignition goes bad youre screwed.

THAT BEING ALL SAID, you can buy an elec ignition conversion kit (for most old tractor distributors) from say Pertronix for example and it replaces the points and condensor and isnt hard to install and is somewhere around $100. That way as long as it works???? theres no future points to burn up or condensors to go bad etc. and as I said, there can be improved starting and idling. Be sure and buy a unit to match your tractors Polarity (Pos or Neg ground). You can use the stock coil, but to get the most bang for the buck the EI has to offer, many upgrade to a high energy coil, just be sure to match the coil to the rating of the switch.

John T

36 Coupe · Aug 10, 2012

I have had my tractor stop twice over the years.A look at the ammeter said the points were not making contact.Cleaning with a pocket knife got the engine running again.If I had solid state ignition it would have cost 100 bucks each time the engine stopped.I would have lost the hay I was baling.

Ultradog MN · Aug 10, 2012

I just sold a tractor that I put EI in 7 1/2 years ago. Not once in that time did I have to mess with the distributer though I did put a timing light on it a couple of times.
For the first few years I kept a set of points and condenser stashed under the hood - just in case. It's easy to change back if the need arises. I never needed them and ended up using them on another tractor.

rrlund · Aug 10, 2012

I changed my Oliver 1550 and my Oliver 7800 combine. Made all the difference in the world. Night and day. Everything comes in the kit,I think both of them were something like $96-98,something like that. I highly recomend it. Doesn't take more than 10-15 minutes to put one in.

Mike (WA) · Aug 10, 2012

Nope, you wouldn't have lost the hay- you'd have just put the points and condenser back on, that you put in the tool box in a baggie, when you made the switch.

More likely, those points and condenser would have still been in the toolbox when you sold the tractor.

electronic ignition

chuck t

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David G

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Don-Wi

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Two Dogs

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John T

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36 Coupe

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Ultradog MN

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rrlund

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Mike (WA)

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