Care of Type EK WICO Magnetos

By the Editors of Ageless Iron Almanac

The following simple instructions for the care of the Type EK magneto tell all that you need to know to help keep it in perfect condition. Follow these instructions exactly, and do not experiment. The need for making adjustments or replacements will seldom, if ever, arise, but all parts of the magneto are so accessible that adjustments and replacements can easily be made when required.

1. Magnets: Do NOT remove the magnets! You will instantly destroy their magnetism and gain nothing because every part of the magneto that may conceivably require renewal can be replaced without removing the magnets and without weakening them.

2. Moving parts: All moving parts can be withdrawn from the magneto by lifting the armature from its magnetic contact with the cores. This operation does not weaken the magnets. When replacing the armature make sure that the oil pad slips over the guide rod.

3. Removal of covers: The covers of the magneto are held in place by a band that is fastened by four screws, two at each end of the magneto. The removal of these screws allows the band to be lifted and the covers to be removed.

4. Oiling: Oiling: The type EK magneto will last for years if properly oiled, but if allowed to run dry, its life will be very much shortened. The drive mechanism should be oiled each day the engine is used. Oil the magneto at the marked oil hole once a week with regular engine oil.

5. Breaker Points: When installing new contacts on engines using the Type #1 eccentric and strap drive, the breaker point contacts should just open when the armature is about 1/16-inch away from the cores. On engines using the Type #2 push rod drive or the Type #3 combination drive the breaker points should just open when the armature is 3/32-inch away from the cores.

6.Spark wire: To replace the spark wire it is only necessary to pull the old wire out of the terminal block and push in a new one. In some of the earlier magnetos the wire is provided with a threaded sleeve on the inner end, which screws into a shouldered brass washer in the terminal block. To replace this spark wire, it is necessary to unscrew it.