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Magneto VS Distributor on street???

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Rusty, Apr 8, 2004.

  1. Rusty
    Joined: Mar 4, 2004
    Posts: 9,487

    Rusty
    Member

    I was wondering what the ups and downs were for running a magneto vs. a distributor on the street? This will be a pretty regular cruiser. Thanks for the help. Dirty
     
  2. Bruce Lancaster
    Joined: Oct 9, 2001
    Posts: 21,681

    Bruce Lancaster
    Member Emeritus

    Magneto: Extremely cool, expensive, needs specialized remagging as it deteriorates, weak at starting, parts hard to find, general damn nuisance.
    Distributor: Boring, cheap, utterly reliable, parts everywhere, easy to fix, and modern electronic ones can give any level of performance you need.
    So, magneto is the clear cut winner, no prob.
     
    Vanness and -Brent- like this.
  3. Paul
    Joined: Aug 29, 2002
    Posts: 16,955

    Paul
    Editor

    THANKS BRUCE!!

    my minds made up! but...wait...

    you forgot to mention they aint small neither,

    I'm not sure I can fit one in my tunneled firewall without pulling the motor to do the swap [​IMG]

    Paul
     
  4. 48_HEMI
    Joined: Oct 3, 2002
    Posts: 838

    48_HEMI
    Member

    I concur the mag has low starting voltage and comes on at RPM that is seldom seen on the street. Unless you drive like me with the foot to the floor. I like mine because its fun to lay across a fender trying to gey my head deeper into the firewall so I can adjust the points enough to get the ****er to fire the FirePpower! [​IMG]
     
  5. Rusty
    Joined: Mar 4, 2004
    Posts: 9,487

    Rusty
    Member

    SO are you saying that a mag would be cooler as a joke or what? Pops putting together the last pieces on the 32 and was wondering truthfully which would be cooler but also work good. Thanks for the posts.
     
  6. Bruce Lancaster
    Joined: Oct 9, 2001
    Posts: 21,681

    Bruce Lancaster
    Member Emeritus

    Mag is far less practical than a good distributor, but that ain't the whole deal in hot rodding. We'd all be putting our money into Hoda Civets or something if we were interested much in practical. If I had a Mag, I'd probably use it. But I'd have a distributor in the trunk.
     
  7. Elrusto
    Joined: Apr 3, 2003
    Posts: 1,285

    Elrusto
    Member

    You wanna know what I think? I think your dad needs to post his intro (with pics!)!!!
    HEY BUMP STEER CAN YOU HEAR ME!!!!!!!!
    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
  8. Flat Ernie
    Joined: Jun 5, 2002
    Posts: 8,406

    Flat Ernie
    Tech Editor

    Be sure & run solid-core wire - if you get enough EMI outta it, you might make that bling car's computer next to you go haywaire....you'll definitely impinge upon his sound system [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  9. tommy
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 14,756

    tommy
    Member Emeritus

    Isn't someone putting the HEI guts in a Vertex case for the look with good street performance? I'm sure it's costly!
     
  10. Paul
    Joined: Aug 29, 2002
    Posts: 16,955

    Paul
    Editor

    yes but it doesn't seem right, it'd be like electronic fuel injection hidden inside a multi carb setup.

    and there is no way I could fit the magneto in mine [​IMG] bummer

    I have to pull the cap on the Mallory just to get the distributor out..

    Paul

     

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  11. 48_HEMI
    Joined: Oct 3, 2002
    Posts: 838

    48_HEMI
    Member

    60's I have my engine set back like yours and am thinking of using the cowl vent to access the points on my mag might even install a small light so I can see em [​IMG]
     
  12. Paul
    Joined: Aug 29, 2002
    Posts: 16,955

    Paul
    Editor

    my firewall is actually pushed back ten inches, I trimmed five and recessed five..

    I would have had to work on the distributor from INSIDE the car! hahaha

    the light is a good idea though, i might do that..

    still, the magneto has a real compe***ion look to it, it lets you know the driver is serious.

    I WANT ONE!!

    Paul
     

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  13. [ QUOTE ]
    THANKS BRUCE!!

    my minds made up! but...wait...

    you forgot to mention they aint small neither,

    I'm not sure I can fit one in my tunneled firewall without pulling the motor to do the swap [​IMG]

    Paul

    [/ QUOTE ]
    That's the only reason I can think of not to fill the cowel vent. Opps too late. [​IMG]

    Probably more reasons not to run one on the street than to run one. But "if" I had one I'd be running it anyway.

    I really like the idea of screwing with the bump de bump stereo guys. And everyone's TV on my block.

    The big upside is if your genny takes a dump and its night you can still drive home without depending on the battery to run your motor.

     

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