I am kind of in the same boat on the car I am building. Going for a mid to late '60's look and running a mag. I grabbed one of these. https://www.ebay.com/itm/3890234121...Rfc9**OYJl**G6twKdq5HKvw==|tkp:BlBMUIjGv4z8Zg Small, clean and simple. Not sure it is going to work but time will tell.
Very Kool . look up IH tractors models A,H,C in the early 40’s to the 50’s they had a push /pull switch for the magneto kill switch. Not everyone understands that a magneto makes its own fire / spark . I helped a local volunteer fire department get a transfer water pump running on a tanker that they had gotten from the forestry department. The engine wouldn’t start . Someone had ran a power wire to the mag kill lug . Frying the coil . New coil and it ran like new .
You WILL find mag switches in small airplanes. You MAY find vintage mag switches in older aircraft, and it really doesn't have to look like a "theme" item. -rick
First step, what was supplied by the mag makers? Dedicated part, suggestions or left up to the customer? Second, you have the time and parts nailed down. How about the background of the owner/builder? Was it Tom Cobb who could build or buy whatever, or was it a Texas farm boy who bought what he must, but scrounged what would work? Third, a place of honor or a hidden deal. Time, place and person would tell the story. How often were those wild machines stolen and what locations? If you are going to sweat the details, do the back story until you and the car fit the role to perfection. Lon Chaney lived his characters. EDIT: Considering the beauty of the mag, I'd lean toward top notch rather than a back forty source. Each part is high quality and detailed. Does this guy sound like the type that would get the most quality and beauty available, no matter the source? https://www.jalopyjournal.com/?p=54669
My choice same as @Okie Pete https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://brillman.com/product/ihc-push-pull-magneto-switch/?srsltid=AfmBOoroI_EaJtNMB9EPszt4UaInYbvsOyb7CGgZ8EWN-J73KJcmgeol&ved=0CBYQjRxqFwoTCODs4oDqnJIDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAI&opi=89978449 I know you aren't into aircraft stuff, but that center triangle that spells DELCO is very cool and can be adapted to something else, as a potential item to consider. Your results may vary greatly.
During the recent mag refresh did you juice up the output so you might need a higher amp switch than many period pieces? I actually like the dual switch you pictured that could be wired redundant for a single mag. Having the mag switch fail ****s.
This is what Dean Moon had in his drag boat. Built in 1965. Push to run, pull to kill https://youtube.com/shorts/qbKBdRdHZS4?si=KfhdBaD4ScVebYa_
This one from Bosch, is just perfect, but its spendy! https://www.prewarcar.com/234755-bosch-magneto-cut-off-switch Same as the picture above!
https://picclick.com/Military-Grade-Sealed-Ip69K-On-On-Locking-156268352878.html Although I like the simple toggle switch with the red cover that you flip up.
@Kreepea_1 and @41 GMC K-18 with all due respect, the time frame kind of pushes a German product out. See Post War Rebuilding heading here. https://www.company-histories.com/Robert-Bosch-GmbH-Company-History.html
What is currently in the car for an ignition switch? If you are running a 40 ford column drop and factory on off switch with a push ****on start, I don't know why that on/off switch couldn't be used to ground/open the Mag circuit
Yep, I know what the time frame parameters are, no doubt! But purely from the aspect of the look, that switch is timeless! @Ryan will figure it out, he only has a million adjunct experts on the HAMB to tease him with various pictures from the internet! The search continues!
I'm not against aircraft stuff at all. I'm just against themes. Some of the more subtle mag switches from WWII could be rad, but I don't want anything that dominates the dash. I really like the switch you linked to and it's one of my leaders for sure. Killer... Wish the red were more maroon in color... and it was a tad more beat up. Stupid, but it matters to me. I love this switch... And actually, it's period... In fact, the So-Cal Lakester had this same switch in it at some point. If I could find one for less than a few hundred dollars, I'd be interested for sure. Currently, have a keyed ignition switch and a home made steering column... So no column drop switch.
I've always preferred a separate switch for mags. Especially if you are running locked out timing and higher compression, it's better to crank, then ignite.
Agreed. And given my key is on the left (like any good car), my mag switch needs to be reserved for the right hand... Crank a bit, then hit the mag...
I'll second the mention of an old aircraft magneto switch. I used to have one in my roadster to operate a relay for the headlights.
A car with a Mag really deserves a push ****on start..... (a hidden under the dash key or cut off could prevent theft)
Tickle the mouse, mouse is surprised and runs off which scares rhino, rhino charges into valve one which opens and sprays koolaid on bird, bird takes flight and hits head on valve 2, valve 2 writes a strongly-worded X post on the proper use of hyphens, followers respond pointing out other inconsistencies, multiple responses trigger API, API triggers SMS notification that pings your phone, you pull phone out of your pocket to see notification and bump hand awkwardly on steering wheel, you dropping phone on floor next to where mouse has hidden under seat, you reach for phone while paying attention to the road and mouse nips you on the finger, you jerk hand away from under the seat and accidentally hit Bosch switch from post #12(it's pretty sweet), switch grounds magneto.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/197817703544? Caterpillar master switch....pretty big terminals...but what is wrong with overkill.... it gives you a 'keyed' switch and was used on equipment in the era the key could be stamped 'mag'...or 'KILL' or one of each on either side.... I'm sure you will get it right.....
Ok it's aviation themed but my favorite nonetheless is the flip the red cover hit the firing switch ala P51! If you're worried about it dominating the dash put it on the floor between the seats? Also like Malcolm's version.
I put my current T together with a points distributor, when I swapped in the magneto I finally decided to keep the kill switch close, easy to find and swat off. just a simple but heavy toggle under the dash, flip right to run, swat left to kill.
Ryan, be aware of what voltage you're switching. Most automotive switches are only rated to 32V max. That refers to arc suppression capability, too low and ionized air in the switch can keep the circuit closed even when off, also killing the switch contacts rather quickly.
The Jalopy Journal
