I've been reading up on Cletrac crawlers, and am almost embarrassed to ask this question.
What exactly do I have on my 1947 Cletrac HG42? It looks like a magneto, but I cannot hear it 'snap' like the mags on my other vintage tractors. It looks like there's an IHC logo on the top of the cover. In fact, it looks like an IHC Distributor I remember on a W-40 McCormick I had years ago.
Is this original to this model?
There's a kill (ground) button which is hooked to the side of the unit, which is typical of a magneto. There is no "on-off" switch, so I doubt it is a distributor as the coil would burn out if left in the "on" position.
Whatever it is, it works just fine.
It's a magneto made by International Harvester. I'm not really familiar with them, but perhaps the impulse is just quieter on them than some are. I've seen magnetos where the impulse springs get weak and they don't "snap" as strongly as others. But if it works, it's fine.
No, it's not the original for your HG. It most likely had a WICO or an Eiseman. But many tractors used a common flange coupling so other makes of mags would fit.
Blake
Thanks, Blake. As you said, if it works don't fix it.
The carb is a Bendix. I suspect that is a replacement also. It works, but just OK. If I can find a good MS TX403 or 406, it will come off.