Hey all, My bud's got an early flathead that was hopped up and put a Scintilla Mag on it.. We tried to fire her off tonight but can hear it popping as if it is out of time. Were not sure on how to advance/retard these.. I know its a Scintilla Mag for 35-37.. Had anyone played with these ever.. I tired the google macihne but no luck as usual. Attached is a pic of what were up against. Thanks in advance..
I have never had anything to do with the auto version but have had a bunch of aircraft ones a part. You might try Bendix-scintilla or box mag in your search. They are a real simple mag to work on, heck I even have some parts in the garage left over.
Do you know anyone with a mag Buzz Box?? It makes setting the inital timing alot easier than just guessing.
Try calling Pat Mason at Mason Racing Ignitions 610)287-1511 in Spring Mount,PA. Pat worked for Ronco-Vertex for years before they were bought by Taylor. He's into that old stuff too. Smokey
that s my magneto, It was built by Geoge Pounden and it's from the 40's. thats all I know about it. appreciate any info thanks, Jared
it's been converted for 8 cyclinder uses, I don't know any part numbers yet. thanks for any info. Jared
Is it mounted to an adjustable plate where you can rotate the mag for timing? Pounden made a few different versions, the one you have was one of the more expensive units they offered.
hey jarod you can use a VOM with a buzzer type continuity checker for thr same results just lets you know exactly when thew points open. i think your real issue is the lack of a reference for setting the initial timing(no timing pointer) you need to find TDC somtimes snaking a stiff wire down the plug hole and CARFULLY bring the piston up to get close works
Bugatti used Scintilla Mags as well so did a couple of british racers but only 4 and 6 cylinder i've never seen an 8 cyl scintilla. This brand was manufactured in Switzerland there is even a troubleshootingbok reprint for sale but it is in german. good luck Mario
No it's not, but I think I can make the cap adjustable. Jetmet, as for the buzz box I'm looking for one right now
As far as I know this magneto was made by Scintilla/bendex in upstate N.Y. It's amaing that book is out there but by I can't read German.
yes Not having timing marks to look at is a pain. but for now I'm think about using A harmon and collins duel coil( this will make it easyer LOL) and maybe go back to the magneto later. Jared Jared
The VOM works if you disconnect the lead to the points. The VOM won't be able to tell the difference between the continuity of the points and the continuity through the coil otherwise. If the mag won't turn on it's mount (non adjustable mount) then there should be a verneer setup somewhere. In our fleet of aircraft some have a verneer clutch, an even number of teeth one way, an odd number the other (saw shaped tooth) so if you turn it so may clicks each way you can adjust it (Aor R). We have a chart for that, the clutch is locked in place with a nut on the end of the drive (if you were wondering). We also have an aircraft in our fleet that has a verneer gear drive, even number of gear teeth, odd number of splines on the shaft and in the gear, with that you would use the chart to tell how many splines to turn it, and which way. With a verneer gear you can walk it around one spline at a time and check, but I wouldn't try that with a verneer clutch, one at a time could take a week with one of those. Either way, put a mark on it (a Sharpie works great) before taking any of that aprart. Good luck, hope something in there helped.
I agree timing may be the issue but there are more issues with mags then that. Has the mag been serviced? The magnets lose strength over time simply sitting in the shelf. There is a setting commonly called the "E Gap" that times the point breaking and the point where the generating coils and rotor are making the greatest power. Commonly there is a plug in the magneto housing that allows viewing of index marks. When these marks line up the points should be just breaking. You can use a buzz box or VOM as said earlier to monitor point opening. IDK your specific mag but these are all common on Scintilla and other mags. Much can be learned by investigating aircraft mags as these were all based on them in the early days.
The use of a VOM works IF you can isolate the points from the coil. On some mags (My Vertex for certain) it is a PAIN in the ARSE to isolate (disconnect) the points - that's what makes a buzz box so nice - you leave everything hooked up inside and it STILL reads the precise point at which the points open. For those wondering (IIRC) a mag has the points wired in parallel to the coil - so simply hooking up a VOM isn't gonna tell you much UNLESS they are easily disconnected and then you IN like FLYNN!!! EDIT: I missed Nexxussian's post - didn't mean to repeat what he already said.
Thanks for the input guys, I'm hoping to get back at it this weekend and I'll let you know how I make out. jared
It was bench tested at A local shop 5 months ago. It was spun up to 6000 rpm and it didn't miss A beat and it gave out A nice blue spark to all 8 plugs. Jared
Follow the link I pasted. My uncle French is one of the best in the business. He knows the early units inside and out and can walk you through trouble shooting it. He can definitely overhaul it too. Alot of guys on here have their mags serviced by him. http://www.frenchgrimes.com/index.htm
up date, The mag works just fine. the promble is that the mag is set 18 deg advance. So this is not for street use untill I make an ajustable plate. Jared
Should start and run with 18* initial timing regardless of engine. At cranking speed you may not be getting enough mag generation speed at current state of mag tune to pop. That is not to say there is anything wrong but all I posted will effect the starting mag output especially low speed. I run 34* fixed (no advance) on a blown street engine.
Hi guys. Magneto timing tools are available at aircraft spruce & specialty, or you could buy a single channel version from Roger, at Joe Hunt Mags (their tool works, but I think it stinks because the back of the box shorts out to anything metal, the buzz kinda mumbles, and the leads are too short). Don't use an Ohmeter. It will read dead short due to the coil's primary being wound to the core in the coil, which is part of the mag, and is grounded. The mag you have there looks like a highly chopped up radial mag from a 9 or 14 cylinder application. The distributor section has been removed. The breaker cam is not stock, but has been ground by a clever gent. The trick is to avoid messing with the contacts. Just dial it in with a timing light and a spark plug wire, or buzz box using the primary wire (at points). The mag was probably an SF14RN-1 or something similar from about 1942. If the internal timing (Edge-Gap)(points breaking to magnet shaft angle) is way off, it might not run so good, or at all. Easy to adjust though. email me at: a.magnetoguy@gmail.com if you're stumped. I've built around 6,000 mags like that so far for aircraft and race cars.
hey guys...trying to find any info on a V-drive scintilla magneto i picked up for my flatty...have not been able to find anything...aside from it being commissioned by the swedish army for their vehicles...if anyone knows anything i'd appreciate a PM... cp
update, time has flown by, I still haven't gottin back to the mag yet but I haven't forgot it either. thanks for looking Jared
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