Flatheads ... i need some info on a Harmon Collins magneto please.

Flathead experts!

I have a new re-build getting started on a 59AB flathead motor and wanting to run the whole system under 12 volts, so i'm wondering if an old vintage Harmon Collins magneto will work if i change the voltage from 6 to 12 on the whole motor?

thanks so much in advance for all your help and info
cheers,
cab

 

It makes no difference to a magneto what the cars voltage is. It is completely independent. All it needs is a grounding switch to shut it off.

 

A magneto supplys its on power. The only wire that should be hooked to it is a kill switch.

 

It will work just fine.
P.S. I'm no expert

 

To check if it works, turn it while you are holding the end of a wire in your hand
Jus kidding......it would hurt.

 

Cab:

Don't get me wrong, those H-C mags are ultra cool. Depending on what you want to do with your car, it may not be the best choice for a street driven car since the advance is locked in. You get a Offy plate to mount it to that will allow you to move it around while tuning, but it still needs to be lock down.

Meaning, you need to make a decision where you want the advance to come in at.

 

Thanks for everyone for the info on the voltage question about using one of these mags, you guys rock!

Banjo has brought this to my attention, so i wanna know...

Do any of you flathead gurus run one of these old Vintage Harmon Collins magnetos on their engine and run them on the street/highway, do you have any advance or timing issue with these?

thanks again for all your help
cheers,
cab

 

We ran one on a 276" flat motor with an Isky JR and Evans heads and Evans three 97 manifold. Worked fine on the street but I know we were giving up power by not having a rpm range friendly advance curve. IE; back it down enough not to ping and you give up total advance.