• Home
• Magneto Rx:
• Bosch, American Bosch, and Robert Bosch
• Bosch
• Bosch Magneto for Ford Model T

Bosch Magneto for Ford Model T

Here is an early brochure hoping to make the Tin Lizzie run like a Packard with a Bosch magneto in lieu of those occasionally annoying buzz coils and timer.  One configuration uses a model NU4 magneto that has no timing gear or distributor. Its secondary is wound in a loop in lieu of one end grounded. The ends of the loop are terminated at a two segment collector spool such that it fires two plugs at once, one on exhaust (redundant spark) and the other at ignition. This is a somewhat simpler design with fewer parts. The plugwires are fastened to the brushholders by a small pointy metric screw that is hiding under the brush and spring that when installed pokes into the wire to make contact. these screws can be seized and it is important to have a well fitting screwdriver when servicing. Recall that the timer is running at camshaft speed and will need a spark every 90 degrees it rotates and most 4 cylinder mags fire every 180 degrees hence the need for proper gearing. More on the NU4 in the magneto RX section.

The other setup uses a more common geared magneto that looks like the much more common DU4 which runs at crankshaft speed, probably the reason for the larger sprocket on the camshaft and smaller one on the mag drive shaft. Either way, this will eliminate many of the woes of the timer and buzz coils.