phelon vs scintilla magnetos

[opposedtwin]

I know this subject has been discussed here before, but I am new to these two types of magnetos for the 2 cylinder mercurys. I am working on putting a KE-7 back together. Did all KE-7s have the scintilla magneto? I have heard some mercury models had both, like the KG-4 for example.

What are the reasons people tend to want to switch from scintilla to the phelon system?

For a scintilla to phelon conversion, what parts will I have top track down and what other mercury motors had the phelon mags that might have the parts I need?

Thanks!
Scott

[RICHARD A. WHITE]

Scintilla, points are hard to find as WE, yes that means me, tend to hoard them…period. And yes they ARE out there. I have 4 sets, but others make me seem like a rookie at hoarding. 🙂

Conversion is mag plate and flywheel swap….I think that is it…

[chuckw]

For Phelon you need the points cam which can be hard to come by. Usually the Scintilla points can be cleaned up and reused without having to find new ones.

[dave-bernard]

one type of points is still available new (aircraft) no problem about $30-$35

[John Schubert]

What has been overlooked is that a lot of KE7’s had Wico ignitions. That being said, it would always be my intention to convert all Wico & Scintilla systems to Phelon. The Scintilla systems do not idle down as low as the Phelon, due primarily to the location of the magnetic field. Starting is also easier with the Phelon system as it requires less rope pulling rpm’s then the Scintilla.

To make the conversion you need a stator, two coils, points & condensors, flywheel & cam that goes over the crankshaft. While the cam could be hard to find Frank Erion does have them for sale.

[chinewalker]

I’ve only ever had issues with the later Bendix magneto with the Bakelite cover. I’ve had good success with the earlier Bendix mags with no cover and the points with parallel arms. Not sure what the difference in performance was, but the later ones always seem to drop a cylinder at low idle. New parts, clean points, etc. and they always seem to be a bit weak at low speeds. I’ve never had that issue with the earlier mags…

[49hiawatha]

Trvia. Wico was a firm pre-WWII in West Springfield, MA. Closed 1989. Phelon was an employee at Wico. Left shortly after the end of WWII and started his company in Springfield , MA. Moved after to an adjacent community East Longmeadow, MA. The founder "old man" was a pretty flamboyant guy. Off-spring took over and with increase in lawmower business moved south to Carolina. Family out of the business. Still building lawnmower ignitions as almost all our US lawnmowers are built there as well. Just In Time manufacturing.

[phil-b]

Thanks for the Trivia! Reminds me: It seems like the Springfield MA area was a hot spot for magnetos! American Bosh was in Springfield too!

[49hiawatha]

After I posted I forget to add. Bosch was formed in pre-WWI by the German Bosch company. It was seized by the US Government at the start of WWI. WAR. It was renamed American Bosch until shut down. Just removed the standing buildings. Had lot of family at all those places. Springfield Armory (George Washington, etc.). Have been putting together a future AOMCI story about outboard related companies. Other than Indian Outboard brought in from CT the rest made OB components to the best of my knowledge..

[2fast4me]

quote Dave Bernard:

one type of points is still available new (aircraft) no problem about $30-$35

I’m in the Aviation Maintenance Business, what should I be looking for????
my buddies remove and through points away points that could be cleaned up and reused in OB’s.

[Author]

Posts