weak ignition

[Worldwide]

I have just inherited a 1910 McLaughlin Buick with magneto ignition. The spark is weak and I would like to add a 6 volt battery to run full time. Is what I need a buzz box and how do I go about it? Any help would be appreciated.

[dibarlaw]

Wow! Congratulations, this is one beautiful automobile. Can't help but love the McLaughlins!  Maybe some one can help him on the  Brass Buick Site.

Please share more photos with us.

[Mark Shaw]

If the car still has the REMY low tension mag, I suggest you replace it with a Bosch DU4 high tension mag.  Most of my brass car buddies have upgraded their cars with this or other brands of high tension magnetos.

 

(The forum software rotates the image for some reason)

Edited January 27, 2016 by Mark Shaw (see edit history)

[Worldwide]

^{Thanks for the tip re Bosch mag. I'll try and find a supplier. I posted 2 pics of the existing magneto.}

^{Can anyone identify it for me? The car is currently on the west coast of BC. Our family did a frame off restoration in 1970 and the car has sat in storage most of the time. Once I have it running well I will do a full redo stripping all the cracked lacquer. The garage is cleared out and I have nothing but time. New gears were cut for the rear end and apparently top speed is around 30 mph.}

 

[Mark Shaw]

Mags are usually marked at the bottom near the base plate.

[Worldwide]

Thanks for the heads up. The mag is a Bosch DU4. It sparks but my 70 year old heart can't spin it fast enough to start. There is an old  "Splitdorf" box on the firewall marked "battery/off/magneto". Only a simple kill switch is currently hooked up. It must have been changed at some time. I would like to hook up a battery for starting if possible.

Doug

[Larry Schramm]

I have seen some writing where persons used a starter from a golf cart as a starter for the older cars.

[Mark Shaw]

Install an impulse coupling for your mag.  It has a spring mechanism that snaps the mag quickly past the ignition point to provide a hotter spark.

[Buicknutty]

 Very nice, and a rare car. Where are you located? As McLaughlins were sold in Canada and other countries in the old British Commonwealth, I'm wondering where it has been in its' life. Also, the McLaughlin Buick Club of Canada might have some technical info about the car, but I'm not sure, they do have an extensive library.

 Keith

[Worldwide]

Install an impulse coupling for your mag.  It has a spring mechanism that snaps the mag quickly past the ignition point to provide a hotter spark.

I think an impulse coupler is the way to go. Is info available as to degrees of spark retard for 4 cyl. I would like to install myself rather than send it out. I see them on ebay but which one?

[PFindlay]

Hi Doug, Peter here.  We spoke on the phone the other night.

 

I have a DU-4 with impulse that I used to run on my Cadillac until I got a rebuilt mag.  You could borrow it if you like to see if it makes starting any easier.

 

Mark's magneto in Connecticut rebuilds DU-4 mags and may even have one with an impulse.  They're not cheap but if you're going to run it you want a good mag.

 

Your car looks great!

 

Peter

[1967 - 1997 Riviera]

Please post more pictures of your 1910 McLaughlin!

[Layden B]

You already have a Bosch DU-4 dual magneto. What you need is the proper Bosch Dash switch/coil to work with that mag and spark the plugs from battery power. It looks like this:

 

 

Contact me if you do not have one.

 

 

 

 

[Mark Shaw]

I only see a Slick brand unit n eBay with no photos of the actual unit.  There are several different designs, & most are adjustable.  So I suggest you get one from a magneto re-builder.