Allis Chalmers WD distributor

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   So guys I’m in need of some help/parts. So I have a 1950 Allis Chalmers WD my grandpas uncle bought new. Here we are nearly 70 years later and I now own it, have restored it and take it to local shows and such. It has been converted to 12 volt with a 1 wire alternator. Now to where I need help. So at some point in it’s life the tractors Fairbanks Morse Magneto coil went out. The fix at the time for whoever decided to fix it, was to drill the hole at the top of the cap out and insert a wire from an external electric coil. This has worked for years but I’ve never thought it to run “great”. It’s kind of, well really rigged up and the coil wire can merely fall out and the engine die. So long story still very long I want to switch it to a distributor. A couple years ago at an auction I purchased a couple parts distributors. One appears to be off like a newer WD45 or something and has the solid 1 piece distributor, I think(I’ve never had mine off) that it is missing the governor weights off the end? Not sure exactly what the governor end is supposed to have on it, and pics would help. I also have a two piece distributor where it has a vertical distributor piece that mounts to a horizontal adapter plate that bolts up like the magneto does. That distributor is missing the drive that goes from the governor slotted piece that the magneto hooks up to. I am wondering if anyone has one of these drives they would sell, or some help. Thanks all!

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TractorTechLuke Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bronze Level Joined: 15 Dec 2015 Location: North Carolina Points: 48	Post Options Post Reply Quote TractorTechLuke Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Allis Chalmers WD distributor Posted: 28 Feb 2019 at 8:48pm
	So guys I’m in need of some help/parts. So I have a 1950 Allis Chalmers WD my grandpas uncle bought new. Here we are nearly 70 years later and I now own it, have restored it and take it to local shows and such. It has been converted to 12 volt with a 1 wire alternator. Now to where I need help. So at some point in it’s life the tractors Fairbanks Morse Magneto coil went out. The fix at the time for whoever decided to fix it, was to drill the hole at the top of the cap out and insert a wire from an external electric coil. This has worked for years but I’ve never thought it to run “great”. It’s kind of, well really rigged up and the coil wire can merely fall out and the engine die. So long story still very long I want to switch it to a distributor. A couple years ago at an auction I purchased a couple parts distributors. One appears to be off like a newer WD45 or something and has the solid 1 piece distributor, I think(I’ve never had mine off) that it is missing the governor weights off the end? Not sure exactly what the governor end is supposed to have on it, and pics would help. I also have a two piece distributor where it has a vertical distributor piece that mounts to a horizontal adapter plate that bolts up like the magneto does. That distributor is missing the drive that goes from the governor slotted piece that the magneto hooks up to. I am wondering if anyone has one of these drives they would sell, or some help. Thanks all!

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Steve in NJ Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Andover, NJ Points: 11926	Post Options Post Reply Quote Steve in NJ Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Feb 2019 at 9:26pm
	We offer a rebuilt drive assy. We also offer a complete Mag to Distributor conversion if interested. Also offer Distributor rebuilding services and or exchange. Visit our website and take a look at what we offer. Be happy to help you out with anything you may need... Steve@B&B bb-customcircuits.com
	39'RC, 43'WC, 48'B, 49'G, 50'WF, 65 Big 10, 67'B-110, 75'716H, 2-620's, & a Motorhead wife

MACK Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 17 Nov 2009 Points: 7664	Post Options Post Reply Quote MACK Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Feb 2019 at 9:27pm
	Go to local tractor salvage, they should have a lot of them. MACK

B26240 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 21 Nov 2009 Location: mn Points: 3860	Post Options Post Reply Quote B26240 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01 Mar 2019 at 6:18am
	Sounds to me you are not sure what you are doing, soooooo I suggest you contact Steve in NJ and get the right unit from him.

Dave(inMA) Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Grafton, MA Points: 2399	Post Options Post Reply Quote Dave(inMA) Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01 Mar 2019 at 6:46am
	If you are going to tackle this yourself, do you have a parts catalog? The exploded diagrams in the ones I have are invaluable. Check ebay for used ones. But if this is new to you and you would benefit from some expert help, Steve at B&B is your guy.
	WC, CA, D14, WD45

Sugarmaker Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Jul 2013 Location: Albion PA Points: 8436	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sugarmaker Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01 Mar 2019 at 9:26am
	Luke, Your doing good. The mag sounds like it would need some repairs to be correct. Old good mags work very well. Me I like the distributor, just more used to that. So make sure you have the right one for the WD series tractor and a good parts book to cross check and you should not have much problem swapping the mag out for the distributor. Lots of helpers on the site here. And pictures can help a lot too! I have converted a couple from mags. Not too bad. Regards, Chris
	D17 1958 (NFE), WD45 1954 (NFE), WD 1952 (NFE), WD 1950 (WFE), Allis F-40 forklift, Allis CA, Allis D14, Ford Jubilee, Many IH Cub Cadets, 32 Ford Dump, 65 Comet.

Phil48ACWC Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Silver Level Joined: 17 Jan 2013 Location: Vermont Points: 297	Post Options Post Reply Quote Phil48ACWC Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01 Mar 2019 at 2:31pm
	https://www.ebay.com/itm/Remanufactured-Distributor-Allis-Chalmers-CA-B-WC-WD-WD45-C/123668999038?hash=item1ccb3f2b7e:g:SlkAAOSw3UlceBrF:rk:14:pf:0 Click on above. This is what you need to convert to distributor from Magneto on your WD. Where ever you get it from.

TramwayGuy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 19 Jan 2010 Location: Northern NY Points: 11679	Post Options Post Reply Quote TramwayGuy Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01 Mar 2019 at 2:46pm
	I am having a hard time figuring out why someone would remove the drive coupling from a distributor conversion!

DaveKamp Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 12 Apr 2010 Location: LeClaire, Ia Points: 5977	Post Options Post Reply Quote DaveKamp Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01 Mar 2019 at 10:35pm
	If it were me, I'd do it one of two ways... I'd either find a parts tractor, and get a replacement magneto, and have a worthy magneto guy give it a total rebuild and setup, and put THAT on... if it's well cared-for... especially shedded and dry, the magneto is a self-contained ignition system that needs nothing other than motion to operate. Or I'd find a complete distributor setup, tear it down, replace the bushing, clean up the shaft, housing, etc., and the advance pivots, replace the springs... then fit it with a 12v Pertronix Ignitor and a matching coil. I wouldn't go through the trouble of changing it to a distributor without going electronic trigger... good quality breaker points and condensers just don't get manufactured much anymore. A full rebuild with electronic trigger is rock solid.
	Ten Amendments, Ten Commandments, and one Golden Rule solve most every problem. Citrus hand-cleaner with Pumice does the rest.

Steve in NJ Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Andover, NJ Points: 11926	Post Options Post Reply Quote Steve in NJ Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Mar 2019 at 1:47pm
	Well, let's see, for $15. dollars more, he could purchase one of my kits all rebuilt, with new plugs, wires, key switch, wiring and instructions. For another $130. he could buy the same kit with E.I. Hmmmmm.....Which one would I purchase?............. Oops! Sorry. Left out the correct coil for the application to... Steve@B&B Edited by Steve in NJ - 02 Mar 2019 at 2:01pm
	39'RC, 43'WC, 48'B, 49'G, 50'WF, 65 Big 10, 67'B-110, 75'716H, 2-620's, & a Motorhead wife

wide Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Silver Level Joined: 29 Dec 2018 Location: north iowa Points: 169	Post Options Post Reply Quote wide Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Mar 2019 at 11:29pm
	What tractors are they pulling the distributors from that will fit a WD? D-17?

jbirnsch Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bronze Level Joined: 02 Jun 2010 Location: Egg Harbor, WI Points: 78	Post Options Post Reply Quote jbirnsch Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 Mar 2019 at 12:41am
	WD45 distributer would work. I put one on the WC that I put in a Gleaner E M coded engine in. The Gleaner E engine distributer will fit but you won’t have an oil fill hole. Can drill a hole and tap a pipe plug for one. Neighbor that that to his. There are also the distributer adapters that bolt on.