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Thu Jul 20, 2006 9:51 am

Not sure if I am asking this question in the correct forum but thought I would try it here. I obtained a brand new Vertex Magneto for a VW at an estate sale. $25.00 seemed well worth it to me although I didn't know what I was going to do with it. The magneto is still in it's original box and is clearly for VW applications. Since I know nothing about the affect of magnetos when used in VW's could some one here please tell me what to expect or not to expect from using one. Is your coil eliminated from you ignition system. Will my engine run hotter if I use the magneto? What about starting? Is there a problem with this? Are there any gains to be made with using one? I do not race this car, it is my daily driver. Thank you for your replies.

Thu Jul 20, 2006 10:29 am

I know nothing about them but I found this from a Google search. Hope it helps:

http://www.taylorvertex.com/PDFS/vertexCatalog.pdf

Thu Jul 20, 2006 10:45 am

I remember back in the 80s it seemed as though they were fitted to all the drag cars. They need a support bracket--heavy.

Thu Jul 20, 2006 12:46 pm

Good deal for $25.00!

First thing I'd do is make sure it works, and then find out if it has an advance mechanism or if it's locked out. Alot of these units are locked out for racing reliabilty and/or turbo use. If it's locked out starting can get interesting...

The magneto is completely self contained, it has it own coil and produces its spark without an outside 12V source. The faster it spins the more powerful the spark. What it does need is a kill switch so you can shut the engine off.

Depending on your engine combination it may be beneficial, but alot of people dig them just for looks...

Thu Jul 20, 2006 3:50 pm

If it has no advance mechanism it is most likely a magneto from an Industrial engine. These engines were mostly used in constant RPM applications.

Thu Jul 20, 2006 8:11 pm

It does have an advance mechanism. 11 1/2 degrees.

Thu Jul 20, 2006 8:20 pm

It sounds like you got a good deal:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php?...ton=Search

Fri Jul 21, 2006 7:58 am

mkkraemer wrote: It does have an advance mechanism. 11 1/2 degrees.

Wanna double your money??

There is a screw on the side that you have to wire thru a switch to shut it off.
One side of the switch is wired to that screw, the other to a good ground.
On a normal switch, you have to turn it off to make the engine run, circuit is interrupted.
Turn the switch on to kill the engine, circuit closed.
Bad part is one can steal your car if they know how mags work by taking that wire off the mag then push starting it.

Fri Jul 21, 2006 8:00 am

turboblue wrote: Bad part is one can steal your car if they know how mags work by taking that wire off the mag then push starting it.

Thanks for the tip :wink:

Other than being "self contained" is there a performance improvement say over a Mallory Unilite?

I'd imagine that spinning a magneto will cause alot more wear on the brass crank drive gear than a standard distributor.

Fri Jul 21, 2006 8:21 am

Glenn wrote: turboblue wrote: Bad part is one can steal your car if they know how mags work by taking that wire off the mag then push starting it.

Thanks for the tip :wink:

Other than being "self contained" is there a performance improvement say over a Mallory Unilite?

I'd imagine that spinning a magneto will cause alot more wear on the brass crank drive gear than a standard distributor.

I don't like them much other than they look cool.

Don't know anout the wear on the gear other than it about has to be tougher on them than a regular dizzy.
I ran one and didn't care much for it, parts are expensive too.
MSD, Mallory or about any other modern distributor are as good or better than decades old magneto technology IMHO.

Yeah that "tip" wasn't meant to be theft instructions but a warning for the street mag guys....... 8)

Fri Jul 21, 2006 2:22 pm

turboblue wrote: mkkraemer wrote: It does have an advance mechanism. 11 1/2 degrees.

Bad part is one can steal your car if they know how mags work by taking that wire off the mag then push starting it.

Not like it's hard to run a wire from the starter to the coil either for the same effect.

Oh and don't spin it in your hand or you may get a new hair style.

Fri Jul 21, 2006 2:46 pm

Sacr32 wrote: turboblue wrote: mkkraemer wrote: It does have an advance mechanism. 11 1/2 degrees.

Bad part is one can steal your car if they know how mags work by taking that wire off the mag then push starting it.

Not like it's hard to run a wire from the starter to the coil either for the same effect.

Oh and don't spin it in your hand or you may get a new hair style.

Actually easier from the alt/gen B+ post to the coil + but I didn't say that out loud.
Yeah a mag will bite pretty hard if you mess with it........... 8)

Fri Jul 21, 2006 3:24 pm

I'd say $25 is a great deal, considering how much the asking market is for them. Check out these prices!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BRAND-NEW-NOS-FOR-V...dZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VW-Volkswagon-Verte...dZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VW-bug-buggy-vertex...dZViewItem

Fri Jul 21, 2006 3:40 pm

I used to run one a dedicated drag race car and they worked ok, but they are heavy, and can wear the gear out. I ended up switching to MSD much more options as far a rev limiting and other bell and whistles.

There are a few companies that make two stage rev limiters for Mags such as Wyotech and a single stage limiter by Autometer. For a street the only reason I could see anyone having one is for the look. Just my opinion.