1959 Fat 50 Magneto/Distributor Group Needed

[grover777]

Hi:

I finally took the old girl in to get looked at.
She is only firing on 2-3 cyl. The mechanic says it needs a new magneto/distributor. Does anyone know where I can find one?? The motor is a 1959 Fat 50. I have a parts catalog for the motor and would like the whole assembly.

Thanks!
Daron

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 1959 Fat 50 Magneto/Distributor Group Needed

Darin, I find it hard to believe that it is firing on only 2-3 cylinders, and the distributor is at fault. That motor has a single coil, single condenser and two sets of points. The ignition system has so many common components that you should either have spark to all four, or to no cylinders.

I would check the spark plug leads for arcing to ground, and make sure both sets of points are opening at the proper time (use the two timing marks on the distributor pulley base). Check the ignition coil for cracks also.

If you really need a new distributor, you will need to look aroung for an early 60's V4 with a magneto ignition system, unless you can find an actual Fat-Fifty.

 

[F_R]

Re: 1959 Fat 50 Magneto/Distributor Group Needed

One set of points operates two cylinders and the other set fires the other two. Everything else is common to all four. Does that give you a clue? It should.

Also, a sneaky problem that they have is the distributor rotor in the cap. They arc through to the shaft. Then it will fire the plugs with the lowest voltage requirement (gap).

You don't need a complete unit, and if you were to find one it would probably have to be a used one. You already have a used one.

 

[grover777]

Re: 1959 Fat 50 Magneto/Distributor Group Needed

Thanks for the replies!! I just talked to the mechanic and he says when it's running one cyl will not fire, then after a while 2 then 3 will stop firing. I explained the info in the previous posts and he says that would not explain why the would progressively stop firing.

Any other Ideas??

Thanks!

 

[F_R]

Re: 1959 Fat 50 Magneto/Distributor Group Needed

Weak spark. (All the usual causes including a bad coil). As a motor warms up it requires more voltage to fire the plugs. Also, as the ignition warms up, it tends to become weaker. Weak spark may fire the plugs that take the least voltage to fire, and the others won't. Re-read my previous comment about the rotor. That might not be it, but certainly bears checking out. A basic law of electricity says that it follows the path of least resistance. Also, those motors were noted for spark arcing out through the side of the coil to the mag housing. Again, if the path of least resistance is to go through the spark plug that is where it will go, but if the path of least resistance is through the side of the coil that is where it will go. They came out with coil insulators to help prevent that arcing out. Yours may or may not have them installed.

I don't know what your mechanic has done so far but he needs to check out the magneto in an orderly method and should be able to find the problem. That means first establishing that it has strong fire off the coil button, then move on to the distributor rotor and cap and wires. DON'T ignore the spark plugs themselves!!

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: 1959 Fat 50 Magneto/Distributor Group Needed

Pay attention here about what F R said about the coil arching out the side, and the plastic insulator's. Those insulator's were added later after 58, you're engine may well not have them, but he probably hit on your problem. Another problem, check the continuity of the pig tail wire that connect's the two sets' of points, I have been caught here. That mag. does not have to be on the engine to test. Ground a spark checker to the mounting bracket, and spin drive pully by hand. That mag. will jump a 1/5'' easily. No, it won't give you shock.

 

[grover777]

Re: 1959 Fat 50 Magneto/Distributor Group Needed

The boat is still at the mechanic. I did find a rebuilt dist/mag assembly for $395!

I have limited ability when it comes to this sort of thing and I am not sure my mechanic is 100% comfortable with older engines and he does not really seem to happy with me coming in telling him all of this..... I am located in central illinois and would love a recommendation on who may be able to dx the problem and repair it correctley.

Thanks Guys!!

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: 1959 Fat 50 Magneto/Distributor Group Needed

$395 for a V-4 mag. I have been offered the entire engine as a gift, more that once,alway's turned them down.

 

[grover777]

Re: 1959 Fat 50 Magneto/Distributor Group Needed

I know that is an insane price!!!

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 1959 Fat 50 Magneto/Distributor Group Needed

Grover, The ignition system is simple. Remove the distributor cap and remove the coil. If it has cracks in the plastic, it is bad. Clean the points with alcohol and regap them(both sets). Check the spark plug wires for arcing. Replae the ones that arc. Generally if the rotor is defective (unusual, could happen if the motor overheats) you will have zero spark on all cylinders, after the motor is warm.