1914 T Magneto Hogshead Terminal -

Itchy-Pit

Itchy-Pit

Senior Member
Okay folks,

Car has been running okay on BATT and COIL. BUT with the connection at the Hogshead being loose - depending on if I turned the wire right or left it would run on COIL or sometimes would not. So I carefully disconnected the oil line and adaptor, the wire nut, then both the set nuts leaving just the threaded post. Then I realized the threaded post could be removed so I removed it then the large nut. The threaded post resembles a spring loaded dart tip which looks to make contact with the Mag top - about the size of a Nickel. I tried putting a thin washer on the spring/threaded hold it in place and now nothing.

What is the design of the spring loaded post for? Can it be tightened too tight or loose? Can they go bad? I even added a wire to rule out a bad terminal to Coil box wire. Runs fine on battery. But I am stumped now.

HELP!

Thanks! Dennis:):confused:
 
The spring loaded post makes contact on a button of solder in the magneto coil ring. If the end of the spring does not dig into the solder button you will not pick up current from the magneto.
 
What is the condition of the mag? Is it a recent rebuild or an older restoration. The mag can loose its charge. Put the contact back in and start up the car. With it running on battery, hold the test light on the contact and see if it lights up. If it is a good strong mag it may light up the bulb and then blow it. If no light the mag needs to be recharged.
 
It sounds like you are not getting good contact between the spring and mag as 15max says.

Also be aware that some of the outside oilers can screw up the mag because they are too long and cause a short to ground. Also check the switch as they are known to cause problems.
 
nhusa - I thought about the length too. It would run okay on BOTH Mag and Batt before. But it was loose and if bumped, would not work. I found about 3/4 round paper gasket on the point side inside the large Set bolt. What holds the point in place? A washer or a gasket? Without anything it can be removed without loosening the large nut. It can't just float - or should it? I wish I had a diagram or more direction. Thank you guys.
 
Typical magneto terminal. The one on the cutaway motor is 1923 style.

There is a round gasket between the terminal base and the hogshead round opening.
 

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Thank you tmodelman . My T is 1914 and a little different. But I do appreciate the input. I'll fiddle with it later in the week. Thanks ! Dennis
 
Anyone else have any ideas? I will put a meter on the spring point and see if it is constant compressed and non compressed. That's my last effort. I'm officially stumped.

*Ran on Mag and Batt fine before I fooled with it.
*Problem was terminal was loose and if bumped - would not work.
*Cardboard gasket on bottom side of terminal deteriorated and I replaced with a metal washer. Will replace with cork.
*Mag head is clean.
*Mag terminal is a spring point - like a dart on one end and threaded on the other

HELP
 
Perhaps check the wire from the post to the switch. It may be broken inside the insulation & varies when you fool with the post.

Try another post.
 
Replace the "oiler" mag post with an original and see what happens - only takes a couple minutes to change out. My guess is the oiler post shorted out internally.
 
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