MTFCA Forum

Having trouble understanding how the magneto and battery posts wire up to the switch. I have the magneto wire running from the post in the back of the coil box, running under the base plate, and running through the slot cut in the front. Now I'm unsure how they're meant to reach the switch, as i see the holes for wires outside of the box. Is there a proper diagram for this kind of coil box?

The wires are brought out thru the holes in the front of the box and attached to the switch. From what I can see, it looks like your wires are of a heavier gauge than what is usually used, making it harder to fit them in the space available.

The switch connects to the bottom strip of the coil box, connecting either the Mag or Batt post depending upon position. The wires run thru slots in the underside of the bottom wood piece. Look at the attached drawing from Martin Vowell and the illustration from a period maintenance guide.

Looks like all the coil contacts were replaced with new. They are known to be softer & may add grief down the road.
Keep those original contacts for future use.

The wires on the left and right come across the bottom of the box from the magneto and battery terminals on the back of the box. The middle wire (green arrow) goes to the strip in the bottom of the box, taking current to the bottom contacts of the coils.

I don't understand the point of period illustration showing loose wires.

Couple more pics to show relation, after you run the wires under the lower box wood, place tape over to protect from metal bottom. Wires pull thru the holes, note which holes to use.

The point of the attatched image is just to show which wire I want to go where.

Turns out I couldn't figure it out because someone previously brazed the coil box to fill in the while holes. I'll have to cut new ones.

Hah! I can see where the lack of holes would be confusing.....one has to wonder why they would do that?

It’s best to use the original contacts in the coil box if possible. The originals have a bronze content which make them a little stiffer and springy. Haven’t seen the reproductions lately but as noted the repos are to soft and don’t retain their springiness like the originals.
You need good contact on the coils all the time to keep from having any ignition issues.