SoCal Jet Boats

Tech Talk => Engine Mechanical / Electrical => Topic started by: beerjet on November 04, 2007, 07:06:08 PM

Title: Mag distributors
Post by: beerjet on November 04, 2007, 07:06:08 PM
I dont know the first thing about them so I need a lesson . I guess you dont need an alternator when running one or is it optional , boat needs to be rewired  ??? Pros , cons . Someone wanna enlighten me on how they work and the diffrent variations if any .

-beerjet-
Title: Re: Mag distributors
Post by: Hava Al on November 04, 2007, 09:00:07 PM
the only knowledge i have with a mag is on a 66 FLH Harley I had...they make there own spark and yep you don't need a alternator or a battery...except for elec. start...and even then on the harley they have a capassider (sp?) that held enough for a couple of turns of the starter....the only problem that ever occured was I had to take it apart once to have the magnets re charged....that was it....threw enough spart to make a buddy of mine jump off a engine lift.....lol
Title: Re: Mag distributors
Post by: Jetaholic on November 04, 2007, 09:02:09 PM
That's CAPACITOR. :D

Title: Re: Mag distributors
Post by: lilrick on November 05, 2007, 03:16:44 AM
magnetos are very simple. They either work or they don't. They create their own energy (spark) and therefore don't need an alternator to provide spark like a standard ignition system. THere are two manufacturers currently making mags. Vertex and Mallory. For your application, I believe the vertex would be the best. This mag comes two ways, internal coil or external. Both will work, but the external coil will put out more spark. I run a mag because they are simple, reliable, and cheap. For more info, call me ..
Title: Re: Mag distributors
Post by: jet boat performance on November 05, 2007, 07:56:10 AM
magnetos are very simple. They either work or they don't. They create their own energy (spark) and therefore don't need an alternator to provide spark like a standard ignition system. THere are two manufacturers currently making mags. Vertex and Mallory. For your application, I believe the vertex would be the best. This mag comes two ways, internal coil or external. Both will work, but the external coil will put out more spark. I run a mag because they are simple, reliable, and cheap. For more info, call me ..

Good explanation Ric ... Tom
Title: Re: Mag distributors
Post by: Jetaholic on November 05, 2007, 08:16:03 AM
However, he left out a 3rd company. MSD makes the Pro Mag, and they claim that their mags never need to be recharged.
Title: Re: Mag distributors
Post by: SLCKREG on November 05, 2007, 08:30:12 AM
I'd like to upgrade my ignition soon. How bout the cons if any. Is low rpm spark weaker than a reg. dist? Or is that what the coil is for? How about cost,last time I looked  a complete msd set up was pushin 800.00. Someday I want a blower is clearance an issue?
Title: Re: Mag distributors
Post by: rebel on November 06, 2007, 10:50:17 PM
Maybe the MSD-10 ignition system like this
http://www.dragracingonline.com/technical/lightmyfire.html (http://www.dragracingonline.com/technical/lightmyfire.html)
which sell for about $1000 for a complete system that includes the built-in two-step rev limiter. The complete system weighs 4.75 lbs,
 or go for the MSD 44 amp ignition system without a retard system sells for approximately $2500 and weighs considerably more. But I don't have that kind of cash  ;)
Just a thought  ;D

Rob
Title: Re: Mag distributors
Post by: HDriderTH on November 07, 2007, 06:47:02 AM
I run a mag too, w/ blower. They need nothing to run just a ground wire to shut it off. I found you need to close the plug gap to about .018 to .o2o. People been runnin 'em for many years in race cars...very simple. Well time to go to work, more later
Title: Re: Mag distributors
Post by: SLCKREG on November 07, 2007, 06:36:37 PM
Hdrider. What mag do you run? how large is the cap my TR (WHICH I MIGHT DITCH SOON)  I don't have much room. (point style yes,hei no)
Title: Re: Mag distributors
Post by: HDriderTH on November 07, 2007, 06:49:26 PM
I have a Mallory Sprint Mag. I'd have check on the cap. Mine has an external Transformer, not coil. They're pretty slim, not any bigger then a point distributor. Oh and they have 'em w/ advanced or w/o advance. They're mostly "locked out", mine is and it works great.

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=MAA%2D3959114&N=700+400249+115&autoview=sku
Title: Re: Mag distributors
Post by: SLCKREG on November 07, 2007, 07:38:50 PM
Thanks HD  I might as well be locked out I now have 10* swing. and am runnin a mallory (not unilite) breakerless electronic. what's the price tag for a mag, and i'm still cornfuzed about the rev limiter part of the deal (is that do-able) thanks Kreg
Title: Re: Mag distributors
Post by: beerjet on November 07, 2007, 07:51:01 PM
How does it hook up to a gage?
Title: Re: Mag distributors
Post by: HDriderTH on November 07, 2007, 09:18:19 PM
How does it hook up to a gage?


A gauge, you mean a tack? Thats easy, you hook it to your V-drive.   ::)
Title: Re: Mag distributors
Post by: pw_Tony on November 07, 2007, 09:29:41 PM
What about starting the motor? Is it only off the battery, and after a few starts it needs to be recharged?
Title: Re: Mag distributors
Post by: HDriderTH on November 07, 2007, 09:50:06 PM
What about starting the motor? Is it only off the battery, and after a few starts it needs to be recharged?

I run an alternator, battery, Alt and starter are all the same. Just no wire to the mag accept a ground wire to kill it. Once it's running you need no starter, Alt OR battery. I spin the motor up to oil pressure then light the Mag. Some of the older Mags, I guess some still do, had magnets in them that needed to be remagnetized once inna while.
Title: Re: Mag distributors
Post by: AA/Paul on November 08, 2007, 08:16:48 AM
Blower clearance.....6-71 no problem w/ mag or points cap.     Opps  prefaced for Chevies ::)
                           8-71 ""     ""        Unless it's set set back
I've run both in blown alky set-ups Both work great!!!   For cost I'd lean to the mag. Buy at the swap meets for 3-400 then send it in to get freshened. That way ya don't have to paddle!! :-\
The ultimate in my opinion...MSD-10 Period!!!!  Never had a problem in 6 yrs.Plus it puts out more energy than most mags. Maybe Heavy/ Coors will chime in??
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