Been looking around at rebuilt mags and from what I've found, the cost seems to be ~$300 + shipping and my core. This welder will be for occasional use, I'm not a welder by trade and will not use it every day. With that said, is a magneto or electronic distributor more reliable in that situation? I realize one of the pros of a magneto is that the machine can be hand cranked in a dead battery situation which is appealing to me. Cost wise, by the time I add plug wires and new plugs to the cost of rebuilt magneto, I'll be near the cost of the distributor kit cost so cost between the two is pretty much a wash. So, in my occasional use situation, what would the preferred ignition system be?

 

I don't believe they are anymore difficult than a carb but mag parts prices and availability may differ.

The mag principle is simple but seems like black magic.

One word of caution: be careful especially when rotating that little sprung sprocket.

Mags are reliable and I believe they don't miss at hi revs compared to distributors but I could be wrong. I had an Olds with dual points for running near redline

 

The problem with rebuilding magneto is recharging the magnetic.

The magnetic charger last 40 to 60 years.

You find some one charger the magnetic at the airport. They use magneto in small aircraft and they have to recharged for FAA.

Dave

 

And aircraft use redundant magnetos for backup. And for some reason , I think magnetos don't miss at hi rpm's. No?

 

My magneto is good but I looked into parts just to understand what it would require if it failed. IIRC, unless you are rebuilding the entire unit, cost to re-point it etc was not so bad. Are you sure yours is in need of Everything?

 

Ods are you looking at used tractor parts places for your engine.

Dave

 

If your mag is good put a new cap on it and wires and forget about it if it is bad I take mine to local mag shop they tune it up magnetize the magnet about 1/3 to 1/2 the cost of a rebuilt . I am betting there is a local shop somewhere close I have had machines with a mag never ever had the mag off biggest thing with a mag is to use wire wires !

 

Unfortunately, there's no local mag shop. I do have a contact at a starter/alternator rebuild shop about a couple hours away. I'll reach out and see if he rebuilds mags. Living in a rural area has its advantages, but multiple options for service work isn't one of them.

 

Here's some cool old airplane magneto stuf . One pic shows 3 magnetos. I knew aircraft used redundant or two mags
The third is a booster mag for starting old time aircraft I guess. I can only load 5 pics per post so the ten pics will be in two posts.


Edit. Pics

Pics are reverse order.

 

More magneto pics

 

This should help


https://youtu.be/BhbtyuRmSWE?si=eg3VKQOA1yUHA282

https://youtu.be/wx6Oak1IV4E?si=1yLbj9P6ALLgTElB

 

It is a good video but he kill the magic.
To remove the rotor you a keeper made of steel to hold the magnet charge.
When work on magnetos I a spilt Cleve for rotor before removing

Dave

 

Note there are two types of magnetos
1) implus for hand crank or low speed starting
2) non emplus high speed starting a pain to start.

Dave