Care and Maintenance.—Aside from keeping the magneto clean externally, practically the only care required is the oiling of the bearings. Of these there are two sets supporting the armature, and a single plain bearing supporting the shaft of the distributor gear. Any good light oil may be used for this purpose (never cylinder oil), and each of the bearings should receive not more than two or three drops about every thousand miles. Apply the oil through the oil ducts at each end of the armature shaft. The interruptor is intended to operate without oil, as oil on the interruptor platinum points prevents good contact, and causes sparking, burning, and misfiring. Care should be taken to prevent oil entering these parts.
CHAPTER XVII
MAGNETO WASHING, REPAIRING AND TIMING
One point that cannot be over sufficiently emphasized is the warning that only those who are thoroughly familiar with the magneto should attempt to disassemble it. Therefore every part should be studied, and its functional action fully understood before any repairs or adjustments are undertaken.
The manufacturers of magnetos have developed their product to a point of high efficiency and dependability, and if they are properly lubricated and washed occasionally to prevent gumming up, very little trouble may be expected from this type of ignition system.
Magneto Cleaning.—Magneto parts should be washed with gasoline as it has the ability to remove grease and dirt and evaporates rapidly leaving a perfectly dry surface. Care should be exercised to prevent fire, for the present grade of gasoline does not evaporate as readily as it did some time ago when refiners furnished a high test grade of fuel and the surface of the armature and indentures of the magneto may retain a pool or film which may be ignited by a short circuit, or from the breaker box, and cause a fire which would ruin the magneto. There is, however, little danger from fire if the gasoline is used sparingly, and each part wiped dry before reassembling the magneto.
It is considered a good point when the magneto has been taken apart to be cleaned to go over every part with a cloth dampened in kerosene, because gasoline leaves a very dry surface which is liable to rust. The bearings especially are most easily affected in this way.
The armature may be washed with a brush which has been dipped into gasoline, but should not be immersed as that would soften the insulation and cause it to rot.
The way in which the parts come off should be carefully noted in order to avoid trouble in reassembling, and the gears operating the distributor should be carefully marked to assure correct timing, which will result in a saving of time and trouble.
When the magnets are removed, close the ends with a file or piece of steel to prevent them from becoming demagnetized.
Magneto Repairing.—As previously stated, it is not likely that a magneto will require any further attention than the regular monthly oiling. Two or three drops of light sewing machine oil should be dropped into the oil wells which supply the bearings at each end of the armature shaft.