TOPIC: Testing a Magneto

Starting to part out the '60 Rude 75hp Starflite. Want to put the magneto on the web but need to make sure it's in working condition. Anyway to bench test or check it out??
Thanks

wet your fingers, grab a plug wire and spin it????
just kidding...

vintagerunner wrote:

wet your fingers, grab a plug wire and spin it????
just kidding...

Please shoot some video should you go this route.

I've been that route before but forgot the camera. Did an older Mark 55....SOB....that smarts

Clip a voltmeter to the output leads and spin the nut on the pulley with an impact driver / electric drill?

Pull the mag, remove distributor cap & rotor; lay the mag on the bench, ground the shaft of a screwdriver to the mag case and hold the screwdriver tip about 3/8" away from the copper strip coming off the mag coil.

Give the mag pulley a stout spin in the clockwise direction and watch for sparks! Be sure you don't come in contact with the copper strip or you'll be the voltage tester!!!

A "hot" mag will pull more than 3/8" gap, and it should be crackling, purplish spark. Common issues for none-or-weak spark are dirty points but if not that, the mag coil is either weak or is arcing to the case. If you pull the coil and see burn marks, it's shot.

HTH......ed

Leave the mag on the motor
Buy a 1/4 (or 3/8) drive adapter for your drill to drive a socket with..and in turn spin the Mag. Take the belt loose

Buy a spark tester and hook between the spark plug and wire (I have 2)

Disconnected all wires from the mag

Spin the mag with the drill and see if you have spark

www.harborfreight.com/hex-drill-socket-driver-set-3-pc-68513.html

www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=spark+tester

Good info, I'll do some testing today.
TKS.