1963 sae 300 ignition???no sparK

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Hey guys , finally getting around to get my old sae 300 running again. Last time I ran it was a little hard starting but ran ok once i played w/ it a little.Tried starting her for the first time in about a year today w/ a new battery and I dont think im getting any spark off the back of the fairbanks morse magnetto (on f226). The spark plugs and wires look in bad shape, but I tried look for spark 2 ways, hooked up timing light and cranks fine but no light, and removed #6 wire and held off of a ground point about 1/8 inch and didnt see a spark. Would a magneto go bad just sitting?? or are there better ways to test the output of the unit? Im a pretty decent diesel guy but magnetos and carbs are a little before my time what else do you guys recommend doing to get a welder going thats been sitting a while as far as the carb, fuel etc. are concerned. When she cranks over she sounds fine and is getting oil psi,no valve noise etc. I just got back from working in Alaska and have a little down time to work on her.2011 Dodge 3500 diesel duallyLincoln SA-200Lincoln SAE-300LN-25'sLincoln Idealarc R3RMiller Trailblazer 302
Reply:Pullt th cover off the mag and see if the points are dirty, if they are clean em' up, and she should fire.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
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Reply:no dirty points, and everything looks real clean, no corrosion etc.  Inside the cap and rotor the distance between the end of the rotor and and the part it is supposed to arch across for each cylinder looks a bit much, like around an 1/8th " or a little more. I also talked to larry at weldmart and he said he would make a replacement/upgrade distributor kit so i wouldnt have to mess w/ the magneto stuff anymore. Im leaving on vacation this afternoon down to AZ for a couple of days with the family, but I think thats the route I may take. Also contemplating getting a new classic 300d for work and fixing the old sae 300 in my spare time( which i dont have much of).2011 Dodge 3500 diesel duallyLincoln SA-200Lincoln SAE-300LN-25'sLincoln Idealarc R3RMiller Trailblazer 302
Reply:Just because the points look clean dosent always mean they are, rubbing alcohol  on a q tip works great.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:Dirty points or sticking impulse
Reply:Sometimes perfect LOOKING points(in a magneto) are no good , even after cleaning . When a mag is working properly , i rather have it than a battery ignition . worst thing on mag points is just sitting, & NOT being used . Corrodes faster. Ask any old outboard motor mechanic . also, just use solid conductor spark plug WIRES  (copper , like packard 440 or reasonable facsimile ) and NON resister , plain spark plugs with a magneto . NO booster gap ,or any fancy plugs like MODERN cars use .[SIZE="5"Yardbird"
Reply:I agree - points.  Have seen it too often in damp/humid climates.  Especially if the impulse coupling is intact and working as it should (is there a loud clacking while cranking?).  Could also be a shorted condenser but not as likely.  Also check to make sure the 'kill' wire insulation didn't break down and the ground wire is just shorted or the ignition switch has failed/shorted to ground.Personally I'd politely tell Larry thanks but to keep his distributor conversion kit and fix the mag.Let us know how you make out.DuaneMM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:thanks guys for all the advice, ill mess w/ it as soon as i get back in town. im sure ill have more questions as i am pretty unfamiliar w/ magnetos. And just for the record, how do you properly clean and set points? Can I use a fluke meter to check any particular wires for output etc. and who do you recommend for parts on these?2011 Dodge 3500 diesel duallyLincoln SA-200Lincoln SAE-300LN-25'sLincoln Idealarc R3RMiller Trailblazer 302
Reply:Originally Posted by J HallDirty points or sticking impulse
Reply:Originally Posted by duaneb55I agree - points.  Have seen it too often in damp/humid climates.  Especially if the impulse coupling is intact and working as it should (is there a loud clacking while cranking?).  Could also be a shorted condenser but not as likely.  Also check to make sure the 'kill' wire insulation didn't break down and the ground wire is just shorted or the ignition switch has failed/shorted to ground.Personally I'd politely tell Larry thanks but to keep his distributor conversion kit and fix the mag.Let us know how you make out.Duane
Reply:J,Yes, the kill wire is the one you've described and you can check the switch by removing the kill wire from the mag post and test for continuity between the kill wire and ground in OFF and no continuity in RUN and START.To check the condenser, roll the engine over to open the points and using a digital volt/ohm meter set on '200' put one lead to the condenser wire and the other to the condenser body (or ground).  The reading should rise to OL.  Switch the leads and the reading should go back down indicating a good condenser.  A steady low reading means a shorted condenser (which would result in no spark) and no reading at all (OL on the digital VOM) indicates an open condenser (which would result in weak or no spark and pitted points).You can see and work on the points better out of the mag and it can be done with them in as well if you're not comfortable pulling them out but if you work on diesels you shouldn't have any trouble.  If removed they will have to be reset to the proper gap (.020") before attempting to start the engine.  Use some 400 grit (600 is better) emery cloth to clean the contacts.  For the record, points cleaned in this manner don't last as long as new ones but it works in a pinch if oxidation is the culprit in the first place.Here's a link http://www.oldgravelys.net/pdf/Fairb...se_Magneto.pdf to a .pdf I found that should help understand what's going on.  The file was too big to post.DuaneMM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Actually the #1  Magneto killer is oil misting from a leaky shaft seal. Get a little oil on the points and Presto no sparky sparky.
Reply:finally finished the 300 this weekendbeen busy w/ work so havent been home much to mess  with it. now id better start on the 200...2011 Dodge 3500 diesel duallyLincoln SA-200Lincoln SAE-300LN-25'sLincoln Idealarc R3RMiller Trailblazer 302
Reply:Originally Posted by pilebuckfinally finished the 300 this weekendbeen busy w/ work so havent been home much to mess  with it. now id better start on the 200...
Reply:I know, I know Ill get the camera out but tonight im beat! Clean fuel tank/replace lines/rebuild magneto/carb/ rewire/home depot paint/ tear down generator free up brushes and inspect everything. No west coast choppers or OCC type job, just got her nice and servicable.2011 Dodge 3500 diesel duallyLincoln SA-200Lincoln SAE-300LN-25'sLincoln Idealarc R3RMiller Trailblazer 302
Reply:2011 Dodge 3500 diesel duallyLincoln SA-200Lincoln SAE-300LN-25'sLincoln Idealarc R3RMiller Trailblazer 302
Reply:2011 Dodge 3500 diesel duallyLincoln SA-200Lincoln SAE-300LN-25'sLincoln Idealarc R3RMiller Trailblazer 302
Reply:2011 Dodge 3500 diesel duallyLincoln SA-200Lincoln SAE-300LN-25'sLincoln Idealarc R3RMiller Trailblazer 302
Reply:2011 Dodge 3500 diesel duallyLincoln SA-200Lincoln SAE-300LN-25'sLincoln Idealarc R3RMiller Trailblazer 302
Reply:Sorry guys, its been a while since ive been on. Ive been working out of town w/out internet almost all year. Broke down and got an air card. Ive been watching Tozzis 200 with interest and felt bad i hadnt put any pics of the 300 up. Its actually all together and running now, but these are the only pics I have on my laptop, the rest are on the home computer. Welded with her while I was home this weekend just for fun, also started tearing into my sa 200 project and I'll try to document it much better! Just passed my CWI exam also this month, excited about that. Dont really plan on ever working for an inspection agency, (too smart for that, plus I can actually weld Just more for grins I guess I'll try to post more pics soon. (Also found another lead on a 60's sa-200 that has been sitting behind a guys shop for years unused-wish me luck-Pilebuck2011 Dodge 3500 diesel duallyLincoln SA-200Lincoln SAE-300LN-25'sLincoln Idealarc R3RMiller Trailblazer 302
Reply:Originally Posted by pilebuckSorry guys, its been a while since ive been on. Ive been working out of town w/out internet almost all year. Broke down and got an air card. Ive been watching Tozzis 200 with interest and felt bad i hadnt put any pics of the 300 up. Its actually all together and running now, but these are the only pics I have on my laptop, the rest are on the home computer. Welded with her while I was home this weekend just for fun, also started tearing into my sa 200 project and I'll try to document it much better! Just passed my CWI exam also this month, excited about that. Dont really plan on ever working for an inspection agency, (too smart for that, plus I can actually weld Just more for grins I guess I'll try to post more pics soon. (Also found another lead on a 60's sa-200 that has been sitting behind a guys shop for years unused-wish me luck-Pilebuck