Magneto

M274 Mechanical Mule Wanted, For Sale (NO AUCTION or EBAY), and Knowledge Base
jeeptj1
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Magneto

Post by jeeptj1 » Wed Feb 27, 2019 7:46 am

So I found a guy that has some military magnetos around here. He said some are four cylinder and some are two cylinder. I know my mule is a two cylinder but how do you determine if they would work for a mule or not if they’re the two cylinder ones. He sent me a picture and all I can read is fairbanks and Hercules on the tag. Thanks John jr.


Chuck W.
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Re: Magneto

Post by Chuck W. » Wed Feb 27, 2019 7:54 am

It should look like this, with two plug wires exiting the side of the cap, not the top.
Image

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Re: Magneto

Post by jeeptj1 » Wed Feb 27, 2019 9:47 am

Thanks chuck. I’m going to take a cruise and look at them this week end. John jr

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Re: Magneto

Post by muleman7 » Thu Feb 28, 2019 1:51 pm

Pics of magnetos used on the 2cyl 2AO42 known as the Genset or 10 hp engine. This engine can be converted to a Mule engine. For the Post describing the difference between the AO42 Mule and 2AO42 Genset engines follow the link below. The Genset 10 hp is rated for continuous use at that HP. While the 14 hp Mule engine uses a different rating process since it's in a vehicle and will operate at varying RPMs and Loads. The major internal difference between the engines are the Valve Stem lengths, Copper Head Spacer and Piston Ring Sets.

viewtopic.php?f=148&t=262382

Magnetos used on the 2cyl 2AO42

WICO Magneto

Image

Early Slick Magneto

Image

Later Slick Magneto

Image

Fairbanks Morse Magneto this can be converted to a Mule Magneto by replacing the Top.

Top View:

Image

Bottom View:

Notice the vent on the bottom side this must be plugged to make it water proof.

Image
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Re: Magneto

Post by jeeptj1 » Fri Mar 01, 2019 1:09 am

Muleman, thanks going tomorrow to check them out. John jr

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Re: Magneto

Post by Chuck W. » Mon Mar 04, 2019 11:39 am

Any luck?

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Re: Magneto

Post by jeeptj1 » Tue Mar 05, 2019 1:28 am

Charles,Chuck, thanks for the info. I’m pretty sure these are beyond help. Had to bubba one to even get it open and it’s full of rust. Thanks again John jr.
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Re: Magneto

Post by Auto Shop teacher » Tue Mar 05, 2019 6:28 am

Wow John, those mags look REALLY ROUGH. Were they sitting outside for 20 years? 'Possibly' the only thing that you might harvest from them is some of the internal parts.

Did you get the PM I sent you?

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Re: Magneto

Post by W. Winget » Tue Mar 05, 2019 7:29 am

Soak them for a day in Evaporust (walmart) they will look new.

If you only have a two cylinder engine, you could get by with a 4 hole magneto, just use the 1st and 3rd positions to get 2 cylinders....rotors still turning inside the same speed as the two cylinder does...might put a plastic cap over the open two holes to keep from being zapped or dirt entry though.
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Re: Magneto

Post by muleman7 » Tue Mar 05, 2019 11:54 am

I have a number of the 4cyl 4AO84 20hp engines and magnetos. The 4cyl magneto will not fit in a Mule engine as the top engine cowl does not allow a longer magneto. The Fairbanks Morse Mule magneto has about 1/2" clearance.
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Re: Magneto

Post by Chuck W. » Tue Mar 05, 2019 2:49 pm

Best to leave them where you found them, unless they are free!

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Re: Magneto

Post by Grummanflyer » Tue Mar 05, 2019 8:16 pm

W. Winget wrote:
Tue Mar 05, 2019 7:29 am
Soak them for a day in Evaporust (walmart) they will look new.

If you only have a two cylinder engine, you could get by with a 4 hole magneto, just use the 1st and 3rd positions to get 2 cylinders....rotors still turning inside the same speed as the two cylinder does...might put a plastic cap over the open two holes to keep from being zapped or dirt entry though.
V/R W Winget
If this were possible, it would be necessary to ground the unused cylinder positions. The voltage on the open coil towers will try to climb to the moon if there is no path for it to go and would cause tracking inside the cap. Ford uses this technique on their V8 engines that have been converted to an air compressor by replacing the cylinder head on one side but they run the extra four plug wires to a lug and ground it to the engine block. It's a moot point anyway since Charles says it won't fit but if it would, it would be a problem shortly.

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Re: Magneto

Post by W. Winget » Wed Mar 06, 2019 5:39 am

Grumman Flyer:
I can see your point, but would think the Mag wouldn't care, and if a bare piece of wire were placed into the empty hole running up the side and plastic cap snapped on it, it would be simply grounded out, allowing the rotor to blank fire the position and move to the next firing point.
obviously better to use the right part, and these could be used for some repair parts for the correct two lobe mag.
Nothing is trash... :wink: worst case here the mule refuses to move, not like flying along and a sudden quiet sound :shock:
V/R W Winget
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Re: Magneto

Post by Chuck W. » Wed Mar 06, 2019 6:46 am

There is no "rotor" in the mule mags, both plugs fire at the same time, only the cylinder that is on compression will ignite.

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Re: Magneto

Post by Grummanflyer » Wed Mar 06, 2019 6:36 pm

W. Winget wrote:
Wed Mar 06, 2019 5:39 am
Grumman Flyer:
I can see your point, but would think the Mag wouldn't care, and if a bare piece of wire were placed into the empty hole running up the side and plastic cap snapped on it, it would be simply grounded out, allowing the rotor to blank fire the position and move to the next firing point.
obviously better to use the right part, and these could be used for some repair parts for the correct two lobe mag.
Nothing is trash... :wink: worst case here the mule refuses to move, not like flying along and a sudden quiet sound :shock:
V/R W Winget
Sorry, I guess I misread your post. I'll be the first to say that I have never had a four cylinder mule mag apart. I was assuming it had a rotor like other 4 cyl magneto's.

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