One wire distrubutor set-up...

[HotRodLarry]

Is it possible to have a one wire set up on a 200 with a points distributor?Just curious,thanks

 

[CoupeBoy]

are you talking about something like a magneto? I am norally accustomed to hearing about 1 wire alternators, with the exception of GM HEI and Ford DUI distributors, but they are electronic ignition.

-ron

 

[HotRodLarry]

I actually overheard this coversation at work today, so thats why I'm asking. I thought a magneto set-up was a one wire, but I wasn't sure. I don't think this guy wants to run that kind of thing if it's his daily driver. I'm sure he was asking about a one wire Alternator set-up,I'll find out more and see exactly what he wants to do.

 

[fordconvert]

What is a magneto when you are talking about a modern car engine? I know what they are on model T's and lawnmowers and dont see why you would want to do that on a modern(ish) engine so I assume Im not understanding what they are.

 

[wallaka]

They're used in racing, lawnmowers, and airplanes, that's about it. Top Fuelers run two of them. They're supposed to be extremely reliable in harsh environments, and the advance is not adjustable, if it pings you have to buy one with lower total advance. This is probably why they are not used on the street. A good electronic ignition will give more power and driveability at part-throttle operation. They're used when there isn't a battery to drive ignition.

That's what I've read, anyways.

 

[HotRodLarry]

I think I'm going to reccomend the DUI set-up. The guy probably doesn't want to spend the money if he wants to keep the points set-up, but if he's looking for a one-wire dizzy, that might be the closest thing he will be able to use.

 

[Anonymous]

Well there ain't a whole lot of wires on a points dizzy anyways. Off the top of my head -a wire from the points to the coil (and maybe an extra ground?) Am I forgetting something.

 

[Lazy JW]

What is a magneto when you are talking about a modern car engine? I know what they are on model T's and lawnmowers and dont see why you would want to do that on a modern(ish) engine so I assume Im not understanding what they are.

Henry's T-Model used a low-tension magneto that had magnets mounted in the flywheel.

Having wasted far too many hours in my mis-spent life trying to start old farm tractors equipped with magnetos I have no particular fondness for them. There are good reasons why tractor makers abandoned them for the battery/coil distributor ignitions used in later model gasoline powered tractors.

Magnetos have an inherent drawback for street use: they don't make strong sparks at low speeds, such as when cranking the engine to start. Tractor mags used an "impulse" mechanism that had a spring gadget which would wind up the rotor and release it, giving it a rapid spin which increased (hopefully) the spark strength for better starting.

Some (if not most) aircraft magnetos used a battery "boost" setup for the same purpose. They typically use twin magnetos for safety (sorta hard to call a towtruck at altitude).

Magnetos really shine at HIGH rpm. They make heap big spark energy then, almost enough to weld with.

Magnetos are expensive, somewhat delicate, and they save weight. The lack of spark advance is not conducive to great fuel economy in a daily driver street car.

They do have their place, but it's not in MY car.
Joe

 

[fordconvert]

So I did understand, they just have a very limited application on car engines.

So a magneto would be a single (low voltage) wire? It would be the 'kill' switch?

A points dizzy has only one (low voltage) wire.

A duraspark has 3 unless you remove the ground.

The DUI only has one wire unless you have a tach, then 2. It looks like (and I suspect is a modified) GM HEI dizzy like was found on 74-80(ish) GM 6 and 8 cyl cars and trucks possibly till 86. I for the money I hope they are hand built and checked for proper adavnce function but then again they could have to make a new shaft to fit the fords and I bet that aint cheap. I have enough gm ones laying around the yard I should look and see what all is differnt. It may be that they are starting with the caddy one or the I6 chev one and they are harder to come by than the chev V8 and olds ones.

 

[Anonymous]

Some (if not most) aircraft magnetos used a battery "boost" setup for the same purpose. They typically use twin magnetos for safety (sorta hard to call a towtruck at altitude).

Actually, very few (probably less than 3%) of all airplanes use "shower of sparks".

Most use an impulse coupling on one mag only (usually the left one), the other is direct.

 

[Lazy JW]

Some (if not most) aircraft magnetos used a battery "boost" setup for the same purpose. They typically use twin magnetos for safety (sorta hard to call a towtruck at altitude).

Actually, very few (probably less than 3%) of all airplanes use "shower of sparks".

Most use an impulse coupling on one mag only (usually the left one), the other is direct.

I was thinking of those hundreds of thousands of military aircraft such as WW2 types on both sides of the struggle.
Joe

 

[HotRodLarry]

I figured out what the guy was trying to do. Apparently, he was sick of chasing electrical gremlins and decided to simplify his '78 truck. We ended up using a dizzy for a '73 200 and cap and rotor from the same truck. I also offered up a voltage resistor just in case he needs it, which he probably will anyway. Sounds like he should have no problem getting it to work. He was actually surprised to find someone that knew a little about Ford straight 6's.