VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 490 magneto ignition

My 490 1922 model Touring has magneto ignition. None of my manuals or parts lists say anything about magneto ignition,only the normal battery and coil ignition. It is originally fitted and is labelled The Simms Magneto Co, Type C4 - NO. Can anyone give me any information on this item?
If I could find out how, I would add a picture.

The 490 C-4 magneto was Chevrolet part number 326573 as listed in the Export Supplement dated April 1, 1923. It was printed by the GM Export Co. and covered are the special export parts. Was your 490 built in Tarrytown or Oshawa Canada What is your 490 engine serial number and Car No.?
Kenk

Hello Einar,
Just thought I'd let you know that there are 2 different types of Simms C4 magneto's.One type has the body made of diecast(the type of material that breaks down over time)and the other type has the body cast from aluminium.
All other parts are the same,just the bodies made from different types of material.These magneto's were also used by some early model Dodge 4 Cyl cars,as well as early model Rugby cars too.They may have been used as a generic mageto by other makes,but these are the ones I've come across "down under".

Thanks, Kenk
The nameplate on the dash says Oshawa, Serial no. -A 57344, Engine no. CPXL 95. On the left hand side of the cylinder block I can read 45834 over H4P 9 and 2622.
Any tip where I can get the Export Supplement list or any other information on the magneto ignition?
Einar

Hello Kevin,
how do I check what material, just scratch the surface? My 490 magneto body seems to be ok after 83 years.
Einar

Hello Einar,
Making a small scratch on a spot where it won't be noticed,will tell you straight away what the body is made of.If the material just comes away in small sized flakes,it will probably be diecast.If it comes away in a small shaving,it will be aluminium.

Hi Elnar and Kevin
I will scan the several pages that deal with the Simms C4 mags from my Export Supplement and send it to your email. I also have the Simms C4 book that list the maintenance, timing, and illustrated parts list.
Your engine prefix CPXL stands for Canadian Products Company who built your engine in Walkerville, Ontario Canada. XL is export LHD. The cast date was February 6, 1922. Kenk

Hi,Kenk and Kevin
Thanks for good information. Appreciate your effort scanning and e-mailing those pages on Simms C4,Kenk. I'll look for the Simms C4 book, guess it is hard to come across.
Was there any special reason for installing magnetos in some of these cars? Could it be for cold climate operation, avoiding the effect of low battery voltage causing poor ignition when starting?
The front doors of my 490 are hinged at the front edge, opening the normal way. A 490 recently on eBay auction had front doors hinged at the rear edge. Were front edge hinges a Canadian model feature?
Einar

Hello Einar, are you still useng this mail adress from 2006? Probably have we already been in contact
My 490 Superior (København XB796) ca 1924 also has magneto ignition. Motorno.under exhaust manifold: 15545, Flywheel:R15545(it is no right hand steering)
Casting no.motorbloc: 327772, same for top
My car is still in peaces. I am at moment living in Germany, the car is in Oslo.
My frame is lost, looking fore a new one.
Best regards
Henning

I know a gentleman that sells strictly ignition parts for these prewar models, maybe he could help.

Mike

Please, try to use the right column for subjects referring to our 490s. BBB has opened a special one for us to make it more convenient to search for parts and technical information.

:vcca: