Allis Chalmers WD distributor
Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=158617
Printed Date: 19 Jul 2025 at 9:50am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Allis Chalmers WD distributor
Posted By: TractorTechLuke
Subject: Allis Chalmers WD distributor
Date Posted: 28 Feb 2019 at 8:48pm
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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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Replies:
Posted By: Steve in NJ
Date Posted: 28 Feb 2019 at 9:26pm
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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
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39'RC, 43'WC, 48'B, 49'G, 50'WF, 65 Big 10, 67'B-110, 75'716H, 2-620's, & a Motorhead wife
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Posted By: MACK
Date Posted: 28 Feb 2019 at 9:27pm
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Go to local tractor salvage, they should have a lot of them. MACK
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Posted By: B26240
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2019 at 6:18am
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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.
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Posted By: Dave(inMA)
Date 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.
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WC, CA, D14, WD45
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Posted By: Sugarmaker
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2019 at 9:26am
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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
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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.
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Posted By: Phil48ACWC
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2019 at 2:31pm
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https://www.ebay.com/itm/Remanufactured-Distributor-Allis-Chalmers-CA-B-WC-WD-WD45-C/123668999038?hash=item1ccb3f2b7e:g:SlkAAOSw3UlceBrF:rk:14:pf:0%20" rel="nofollow - 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.
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Posted By: TramwayGuy
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2019 at 2:46pm
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I am having a hard time figuring out why someone would remove the drive coupling from a distributor conversion!
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Posted By: DaveKamp
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2019 at 10:35pm
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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.
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Ten Amendments, Ten Commandments, and one Golden Rule solve most every problem. Citrus hand-cleaner with Pumice does the rest.
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Posted By: Steve in NJ
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2019 at 1:47pm
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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
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39'RC, 43'WC, 48'B, 49'G, 50'WF, 65 Big 10, 67'B-110, 75'716H, 2-620's, & a Motorhead wife
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Posted By: wide
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2019 at 11:29pm
What tractors are they pulling the distributors from that will fit a WD?
D-17?
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Posted By: jbirnsch
Date 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.
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