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Re: 1956st engine magneto conversion

PostPosted: Thu Dec 01, 2022 1:42 am
by Emerica1975
I’m having trouble finding much if any information on the bendix magneto. It would be great to run something that would have gone in these engines originally. But I have found a place Re-MX they can do a pvl ignition for my engine it sounds like. I’ll post some more as I figure it out. If anyone does end up wanting to sell one of the Bendix ones I’m still interested. Pump guy were you interested in selling yours?

Re: 1956st engine magneto conversion

PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2022 1:08 pm
by Emerica1975
Mutt could you post some pictures of that magneto installed in the engine. Also I’m wondering if you have any ideas what kind of engines I should start looking in to find that style mag. Thanks

Re: 1956st engine magneto conversion

PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2022 1:25 pm
by Emerica1975
Also Mutt the pictures of the Bendix magneto that you posted you said it was NOS. I’m just realizing you probably didn’t mean new old stock Harley. Sorry I’m slow on the uptake. What originally was it meant to go in. Thanks. And sorry about all the questions.

Re: 1956st engine magneto conversion

PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2022 4:21 pm
by Mutt
I have no idea what they originally went on. Most likely a chain saw or single cylinder Mercury outboard motor

Re: 1956st engine magneto conversion

PostPosted: Thu Dec 08, 2022 11:40 am
by Emerica1975
On the Bendix mag that you posted pictures of , what is used to open the points. I think I’ve found one on eBay but I can’t tell if there’s a separate cam for opening of points. Thanks

Re: 1956st engine magneto conversion

PostPosted: Thu Dec 08, 2022 11:55 am
by Mutt
a seperate cam opens the points.

Re: 1956st engine magneto conversion

PostPosted: Thu Dec 08, 2022 4:30 pm
by Emerica1975
Thanks!

Re: 1956st engine magneto conversion

PostPosted: Sat Dec 17, 2022 3:08 pm
by Emerica1975
I managed to find one of the magnetos that you posted a picture of Mutt. But the rotor seems to be for a larger diameter crankshaft. I found another rotor on eBay thinking maybe they came in different sizes for different size crankshaft but they’re the same. Is there something else I need for the rotor to seat on the crankshaft? Only thing I can think of is removing the seal that sits on the generator side of the engine behind the armature. Any help would be much appreciated.

Re: 1956st engine magneto conversion

PostPosted: Sat Dec 17, 2022 3:22 pm
by Emerica1975
I’m think I just figured it out. I bet the rotor mounts on the points cam? I’m never got the cam when I bought this magneto off of eBay. I’ve since found one and I’m waiting on it in the mail.

Re: 1956st engine magneto conversion

PostPosted: Sat Dec 17, 2022 4:09 pm
by pumpguy
These small Bendix magnetos were sold by a number of motorcycle specialty and Kart racing shops. I remember WEBCO was one such company. Early 1960s Maico scramblers and kart engines used them too. I don't know anything about the supply chain from Bendix outward.

Unless it was sold for a particular engine, you had to make your own adaptor hardware. Often this required an adaptor for the stator plate so the laminated shoes were concentric with the engine's output shaft. For the rotor and points cam, you had to make an adaptor to mount these to the engine's timing side main shaft.

While similar in basic design, these were (are) smaller than the Bendix magneto fitted to Mercury outboards and '55 and later Hummers.