Looking for points and condensor for WICO XH Magneto

[CalG]

It's been 20 years since I've done anything more than clean the points on this Mag. Replaced a Lucas RF4.

A quick look on the web suggests that condensers are not made like they used to be.

Is there a source of supply that is quality?

I bought the unit from Standard Magneto, maybe I should go back to them.

 

[DJ54]

Still in business..!! https://www.standardmagneto.com/index.htm

I got OEM parts for a WICO mag on a Wisconsin engine 3-4 years ago at a local diesel supply which I believe is now a part of Colt Industries. I took my old set in to show the parts guy what I needed. He turned around walked in the back and came back out and laid them on the counter.

 

[CalG]

Still in business..!! https://www.standardmagneto.com/index.htm

I got OEM parts for a WICO mag on a Wisconsin engine 3-4 years ago at a local diesel supply which I believe is now a part of Colt Industries. I took my old set in to show the parts guy what I needed. He turned around walked in the back and came back out and laid them on the counter.

Around here, I can't even imagine what "a local diesel supply" would look like.

eta
I'll give Standard magneto a call tomorrow. The web pages indicate they don't do well with e-mail. I find no fault with that.

This outfit shows the parts, with lots of slick e-commerce presentation.

https://brillman.com/

I worry the parts are sourced "globally".

 

[DJ54]

We're pretty fortunate to have them in the area. They rebuild diesel pumps, sell new ones and any parts needed. Lots of other engine/electrical components too. But looks like it was sold out to another owner and don't see WICO parts listed, so I may need to find another source myself. But, I'll post a link to their business to give you an idea. Diesel USA Group Columbus | Formerly Columbus Diesel Supply

I've heard a lot of good things about Brillman products, mostly new wiring harnesses for older classic tractors, but somewhat pricey. I looked at their harnesses back when I converted my IH 130 & 140 back to a 6V system and decided to make my own. Bought the proper colored sheath wire of proper gauge, solder type connections, shrink wrap, heat gun, and new soldering iron for less than the price of one harness. Found the color coding for the wiring harness online, so it was only a matter of making it.

I had an ignition coil rewound for a Fairbanks- Morse engine by Standard Magneto back in the early 80's. Back in the day when you put the magneto and a $50 bill with your return address in the box and sent it off to be rewound. Got it back within 7-10 days good as new. Pretty sure I saw where they still do that but have to call for pricing.

I hear you on the globally produced products. I got one of my old Wheel Horses out last year and decided to freshen up the ignition. Checked online for Kohler OEM parts and was over $50 for points & condenser. Checked NAPA and was under $20. But NAPA seems to have dropped the Echlin line for small engine selling under their name now. Got it out in March to pull another Wheel Horse to the shop for repairs and it fired right up. 5-6 weeks later went to get it out to cultivate in the garden and it was a no start. Deduced no spark, cleaned re-gapped points, and still no start. Decided it was 1 of 2 condensers. Checked for OEM Kohler condensers and price was even higher than before. Went to NAPA and got both for $14. Guess we'll see how long these last.

We also have a semi-local oil field supply shop that repairs mags for oil field engines. I heard through the grapevine that their condensers only last for a couple years at best. Whether they changed suppliers because of a better price I'm not sure but sounds like "globally sourced" parts to me.

I'd rather pay a little more for a quality part, but 4X-5X as much seems pretty high.

 

[CalG]

We're pretty fortunate to have them in the area. They rebuild diesel pumps, sell new ones and any parts needed. Lots of other engine/electrical components too. But looks like it was sold out to another owner and don't see WICO parts listed, so I may need to find another source myself. But, I'll post a link to their business to give you an idea. Diesel USA Group Columbus | Formerly Columbus Diesel Supply

I've heard a lot of good things about Brillman products, mostly new wiring harnesses for older classic tractors, but somewhat pricey. I looked at their harnesses back when I converted my IH 130 & 140 back to a 6V system and decided to make my own. Bought the proper colored sheath wire of proper gauge, solder type connections, shrink wrap, heat gun, and new soldering iron for less than the price of one harness. Found the color coding for the wiring harness online, so it was only a matter of making it.

I had an ignition coil rewound for a Fairbanks- Morse engine by Standard Magneto back in the early 80's. Back in the day when you put the magneto and a $50 bill with your return address in the box and sent it off to be rewound. Got it back within 7-10 days good as new. Pretty sure I saw where they still do that but have to call for pricing.

I hear you on the globally produced products. I got one of my old Wheel Horses out last year and decided to freshen up the ignition. Checked online for Kohler OEM parts and was over $50 for points & condenser. Checked NAPA and was under $20. But NAPA seems to have dropped the Echlin line for small engine selling under their name now. Got it out in March to pull another Wheel Horse to the shop for repairs and it fired right up. 5-6 weeks later went to get it out to cultivate in the garden and it was a no start. Deduced no spark, cleaned re-gapped points, and still no start. Decided it was 1 of 2 condensers. Checked for OEM Kohler condensers and price was even higher than before. Went to NAPA and got both for $14. Guess we'll see how long these last.

We also have a semi-local oil field supply shop that repairs mags for oil field engines. I heard through the grapevine that their condensers only last for a couple years at best. Whether they changed suppliers because of a better price I'm not sure but sounds like "globally sourced" parts to me.

I'd rather pay a little more for a quality part, but 4X-5X as much seems pretty high.

Well, I called up standard Magneto yesterday around 4:00.
With the encouragement of the helpful fellow on the phone, I ordered out all the stuff to freshen the mag.

Coil and core bar, points and condenser, rotor cap.

Should be good for another while once the parts get here and I put them in. I'll make it a bench job and save dropping little screws in the dirt ;-)
Fortunately, the tractor still starts right up and runs smooth , if only for a bit less than 20 minutes.
Sign of a bum coil.
I hay change out the plug wires also. I need to see what the local flaps has in wire core. They are a bear to fish through the tubular wire guide.

 

[CalG]

Just to follow up

StandardMagneto came through and the box of parts arrived today.

Coil &core, Points, Oil Wiper felt, condenser.

Started in shortly after four. Brought the mag unit to the work bench. Would be a real pain to try to do the job in the field, It takes a gear puller. There is no way to get the point block off or on without lifting the spur gear..

I might get it back on the tractor after supper. But there is no hurry, and the light is fading....

 

[CalG]

Just to follow up

StandardMagneto came through and the box of parts arrived today.

Coil &core, Points, Oil Wiper felt, condenser.

Started in shortly after four. Brought the mag unit to the work bench. Would be a real pain to try to do the job in the field, It takes a gear puller. There is no way to get the point block off or on without lifting the spur gear..

I might get it back on the tractor after supper. But there is no hurry, and the light is fading....

Mounted the freshened Magneto on the tractor this afternoon between rain sprinkles.

The Ole' Gal started up so quickly it scared me. Left her running at a moderate idle for 15 minutes.

All's good.

Looks like the rain is coming back.....

 

[DJ54]

Alrighty..!!

 

[CalG]

Mounted the freshened Magneto on the tractor this afternoon between rain sprinkles.

The Ole' Gal started up so quickly it scared me. Left her running at a moderate idle for 15 minutes.

All's good.

Looks like the rain is coming back.....

Now for some new sparkers!

A look on the internet shows O'Reilly FLAPS has Autolite 3076 for $2.99 each.

I'm sure a set of four new plugs would beat me trying to clean up any of the 20 odd old plugs I have in a tin on a high shelf in the shop.

I can't seem to find any shops with plug cleaning setups any more.

Maybe the ultra-sonic tank along with lacquer thinner would bring a few of them back to life.

 

[DJ54]

I bought one here back in the early 80's: Spark Plug Cleaner It still works great, and I still use it pretty often. After getting mine Dad bought one from Harbor Freight, it also works very well. Last time I looked Harbor Freight didn't sell them anymore, but there are many on Amazon and are about $10 less than from TP Tools.

I've been running the same Champion D-15Y plugs in my one Super C for well over 20 years. I pull and clean plugs in the Spring when I bring tractors in the shop for their yearly oil change.

I bought the cleaner back at that time, because Champion plugs were known to carbon up after a short period of running and may very well still do that. A mechanic back in the early 80's told me that Champion at that time put a coating on the electrodes and would cause them to carbon up. He told me to buy a pneumatic spark plug cleaner, blast them and it would solve the problem. Got the one from TP Tolls as at the time they were one of a few that had them. It did remedy the problem. Only takes maybe 10-15 seconds to clean the plugs unless they are oily. A quick spray with carb/brake cleaner will remove the oil, then you can blast. Most have a toggle on them to go from blast to air to blow out any sand, but I spray with carb cleaner afterwards to flush any sand that may be in there.

Back when Quality Farm & Fleet went out of business here, I believe in the late 90's They had 6-8 boxes of 10 D-15Y's on the shelf for 39 cents ea. $3.90 for a box of 10. Knowing that blasting them would solve the problem with them, I cleaned the shelf. I still have 4 boxes on the shelf, using them up over the years installing in new to me tractors that use that plug.

If you have 20 old plugs the electrodes are still decent on, it wouldn't take long to pay for one.