[Farmall] Turning on the magneto switch on Farmall "H"

Ron Cook rlcook at longlines.com
Sun Mar 14 07:10:48 PDT 2010


I had a link at one time for a replacement pulley that works.  It seems 
like it was for a Model A Ford.  I cannot find the place.  Too many 
files and too many computer changes, I guess.  Bottom line is, there are 
pulleys being made that will work.

Ron Cook
Salix, IA

Mike Sloane wrote:
> The quickest check would be to put a voltmeter between the "BAT" 
> terminal on the alternator (or the positive battery terminal) and 
> ground. If the alternator is working properly the reading should be 
> between 13.5 and 14 volts when the engine is running. If it is not 
> working, the voltage will be something less and slowly dropping as the 
> ignition system slowly drains the battery.
>
> My experience with converting old Farmall tractors to alternator 
> operation has been that you need to put the smallest pulley you can find 
> on the alternator, as the high idle speed 1600-1800 rpm of those old 
> engines isn't really fast enough for proper operation with the standard 
> pulley that usually comes with the alternator. Most auto parts places 
> have a carton behind the counter somewhere with a bunch of different 
> used alternator pulleys in them. You have to dig through them to find 
> the one you need (i.e. about 2" in diameter that fits your alternator 
> and matches the contour of your belt). A decent auto parts place will 
> help you out, but what you find at the average chain (like AutoZone) is 
> that the counter help barely know how to spell "car", and if you say 
> that the alternator is for a tractor, you will get the "deer in the 
> headlights" look. (Been there, done that) You can also try a automobile 
> salvage yard for a smaller pulley - at least the guys there will have a 
> pretty good idea of what you are looking for and why. Removing the 
> pulley on an alternator, by the way, is a little tricky, as there is no 
> good way to hold the pulley without risking damage to it - the quickest 
> and easiest way is to use an impact wrench.
>
> Mike
>   
>



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