Connecting HT lead WIPAX A Series Mag

[vhgmcbuddy]

Hello all

Here is my Howard Gem – it has the 600cc JAP engine. I recently acquired it having been fully rebuilt and I am trying in vain to get it running… it’s down the allotment and has already got stuck, just yards from the shed… without getting the engine going I don’t stand much chance of getting it in unless I go and buy some shire-horses!!

The most obvious issue is the HT lead. It’s just poked into the cap of the magneto – there is nothing to hold it in place, no thread, no way of soldering it into place.

Any idea?

[IMG]https://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m626/Timwiseman/IMG_4567_zps59jekuxh.jpg[/IMG][/URL]”

Here is the Mag – as you can see, the HT lead just floats about – there’s nothing to keep it in place.

<img src=”//i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m626/Timwiseman/IMG_4568_zpspwbe9e2m.jpg[/IMG][/URL]”

[vhgmcbuddy]

<img src="https://<img src=”https://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m626/Timwiseman/IMG_4568_zpspwbe9e2m.jpg&#8221; border=”0″ alt=” photo IMG_4568_zpspwbe9e2m.jpg” />” alt=”mag” />

[vhgmcbuddy]

Here’s the mag

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[vhgmcbuddy]

And here’s the machine. In too good nick to actually use!

If anyone has any pneumatic tyres/wheels for a Gem they’d like to sell please let me know – the cast-iron wheels just make it too difficult to move about.

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[trusty220]

The part of the bakelite cap that sticks out should have a knurled knob on it. If you unscrew that you’ll find a thread inside- bare a bit more of the copper on the HT lead and wrap it around the thread in the bakelite cap, then screw the knurled knob back on to hold it in place.

That’s how it should work, anyway! Good luck.

[ransomes256]

Tim,
There are 2 styles of Wico A cap. You have the version that the lead is just a push fit into but the end of the lead should be fitted with a push in terminal. If you have not got the terminal it should be perfectly OK if sufficient wire from the core of the lead is exposed and the lead pushed firmly home and retained with a few wraps of insulation tape.
Neil

[vhgmcbuddy]

Thanks both – I guessed as much – I saw that there were several versions of the cap and that one didn’t seem to have any sort of mechanical fixing….

So I just strip away a bit more of the HT lead sheath to expose some more copper, then wrap that a couple of turns around the sheath to create more of a friction-fit and connection, push it in, tape it up and test away….

This is a second Gem i own, together with a 350. All of them have come to me for less than £300 in total… and I really want to get one of them working!!

I’ll no doubt be back after I’ve done some initial testing on the Mag…

One observation – when I turn this Gem over – I can feel some resistance and there is the sound of aspiration from the engine, but it isn’t particularly difficult to turn over. There is a decompression lever, which when I squeeze that, it doesnt really seem to make any difference to how hard it is to turn – not much of a struggle to be honest.

I’m really not sure as to whether this is usual – does a JAP 600cc engine turn over relatively easy??

[ransomes256]

Tim,
I am not familiar with the JAP engine only the Ransomes MG which is of a similar design. Compression has probably disappeared not only through wear but from lack of use. Once you get the engine running the oiling of the bore will improve the compression but may be eased with some lubrication squirted through the plug hole. The piston rings may be seized or stiff in the piston and may free up with use but may finally require an engine strip to check.
Good Luck.
Neil

[vhgmcbuddy]

Thanks a lot – I’ll give it another go at the weekend. I have a multi-meter so am going to try and test the Mag.

The guy had rebuilt the whole thing (or so he claims…) so I was hopeful that the engine is in good shape – but I just havent had the time to really concentrate on it – hopefully the weather stays dry for the weekend and I can have a more methodical approach to trying to get it started.

[charlie]

Testing the magneto with a multi meter will only prove continuity, or lack of and resistance of windings. The only way to test a magneto properly is on a magneto tester. It would be a good idea to give the contacts a good clean and check the gap, also make sure contact on inside of cap is clean and making good contact with coil.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Thanks Charlie – that’ts helpful – will do. I am hoping that the mag was timed when it was refitted after the refurbishment

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