Lister D magneto issue

Hello Fellows, possibly you've seen that I'm on the lookout for a direct drive type magneto for an early Lister D that I'm in the process of resurrecting?

In the meantime until a correct mag hopefully shows up I've decided to do a bit of a botch-up job by using parts from another old 'D' that I had lying around.

I managed to dig out a very unloved looking mag from the depths of the workshop and couldn't believe my luck to find that after a very quick clean-up it produces a very good spark at barely any revs.

The mag I found has a stamping MK1-3 634 DB 452901 3851A. It's fitted with the correct sprocket and will align with the engine sprocket so it looks as though it may already have been used on a 'D' ? has anyone any knowledge of this?  I also found a drive chain along with mag but its not long enough therefore I'll need to rob an old Suffolk lawnmower that I've lying about for a drive chain.

I'm still looking for the correct mag though so that I can then return the engine to its original state.

Yes that's a D sprocket, yes it's been on a D and yes it will fit on a D, the last D to have this style of mag was the spec 18. It is also the one you need for your shaft drive D but I dare say it will go the wrong way.

Not sure I understand why it should possibly go the wrong way?
Possibly I should have mentioned that I'll be fitting the later complete camshaft cover/ governor assembly that I've taken from the later engine shown. Hopefully the assembly will be a straight swap with no mods required?  I'll find out for sure tomorrow.
If I'm luck enough to find an early type shaft drive mag then I'll revert the engine back to the original set-up.

Funnily enough when I tested the mag today with my electric drill it produced a good spark both in the clockwise and counter-clockwise directions I didn't expect that.

what my friend Appletop is trying to tell you is the magneto will only work correctly in one direction, when you cleaned the magneto body you should have seen an arrow, its likely its on the magnet body on the top or behind the sprocket on the magneto. You then have to work out which direction the engine turns prefferably before you took the back ends off off the engines because without checking you could have two different rotations at the magneto.

Maryalice

Standard Lister D mag goes clockwise (I think, so will work with that for now) when looking at the sprocket so this means the sprocket on the engine goes clockwise as well, the correct mag you need goes clockwise on the points end but is anticlockwise on the drive end...

Thanks for the info Appletop.
A case of two steps forward and one back.

Well after cleaning up the mag a bit more low and behold I find its actually stamped M1 Lister    and under the crud on the top there is a D.O.R. arrow.  unfortunately for me though as it indicates that the mag should run clockwise when viewed on the drive end.
My engine runs clockwise when viewed on the flywheel and the mag drive shaft runs counter-clockwise.  

So to sum up, I could use the mag if its set up as direct drive off of the counter-clockwise
engine drive shaft but cannot now use the chain drive set-up as I had hoped to.

So a couple of questions.  
The mag does generate a good spark when driven both CW and CCW so could it be used running in the opposite direction from the stamped arrow? or would the mag points cam ring be wrong for the job?  I will not be surprised though to hear this is not an option.

I guess I could remove the mag sprocket and fit a direct drive coupling?
Can anyone give me details or a picture of the engine to mag coupling or better still would anyone have a coupling for sale?

I guess I could machine-up a drive coupling of sorts but don't really want to 'tooter' around with this option.

Thanks fellows.

This is all getting confusing.....
So what you are saying is that is the right mag for your yes?

So you just need the bit that replaces the sprocket and the slip drive in the middle?

No, don't have either but I bet Maryalice either has or knows of...

Maryalice doesnt have a coupling in stock nor currently have the material to make one at present but a very cheap get you going method would be a piece of rubber hose with the bore of similar ID to the mag and engine with two jubilee clips.

Maryalice

[quote="maryalice"]Maryalice doesnt have a coupling in stock nor currently have the material to make one at present but a very cheap get you going method would be a piece of rubber hose with the bore of similar ID to the mag and engine with two jubilee clips.

Maryalice[/quote]

You would be doing well getting it onto the engine end of the drive as it's only a machined I on that, if you swapped for the later style governor shaft you could.

I will scrabble into my shed over the next couple of days to look at one of my sideshafts to see ifI can come up with a solution, my wife and I are looking after our 19 month old grandson tomorrow and friday is the weeks shopping with my wife which leaves me knackered

Maryalice

Look at the photos at the top of this thread Martin, you'll see what I mean about the I on the end of the shaft...

Rob,

I'm not disputing what you say, I cant see from the picture a way round so I'm going to look at the real thing for Ideas, I might be able to make him something.

Maryalice

Hi maryalice, that's a great offer but please don't go to any trouble trying to make up something as I can likely machine-up a coupling here at home.

It would be a great bonus for me though if I could get a good photo of what the coupling looks like so I can make a near copy.

Or if any other readers here have a coupling they would sell to me that would be really great.
Many thanks again.

I know now where I'm going now with the magneto drive.
I've already made up a drive coupling for the  magneto side and now need to machine a coupling half to suit the engine drive side.
I'll need to leave this for a bit for now though as other more pressing projects have taken over.
I'll be back though

Well I've been away from it for a while due to replacing the engine in my 2014 diesel mini cooper phew that was horrible job. Anyhow here is the way I decided to go for the mag drive. I'll use a bit of rubber hose with hose clips for a drive coupling.

I got the Listed D going today. First time running for at least fifty years.
I'll need to make a trolley for it now I suppose as its currently mounted on a skateboard type trolley I quickly knocked-up for the restoration.
I took a video of it running but not sure how to post here. I guess it may need to go on You Tube first? is that the way?

Hi fellows, I managed to get the video onto You Tube so here it is.

The wife thinks the exhaust beat is very therapeutic. that's got to be a bonus  

I think I might drag out the Fowler next to get it awoken from its very long slumber.

chuffchuff wrote:

The wife thinks the exhaust beat is very therapeutic. that's got to be a bonus  

It is! Never mind 'whale song' or 'rainforest', you could sell CDs of that to drift off to sleep to...

Well done chuffchuff. Sounds spot on.