Onan MagnaArc electronic ignition

[mr.c]

I have no problems with my Onan but am interested in improvements. Just one
more notch to make on my list of things to do. I am interested.
al

> I have just finished installing Onan's MagnaArc ignition system on my 6.0
> Onan last week. I had installed the primer switch that Jim Bounds had
> written about in the GMC Motorhome Magazine last year and it gave a lot of
> starting improvement but the electronic ignition now makes my Onan start
> INSTANTLY without using the primer. It also seems to run much smoother. I
> don't remember it running this well since I bought the GMC 18 years ago. The
> only drawback is the price. It's cost is about $120.00. When I was in
> Tucson I stopped at Camping World and they had a sale on some misc. items
> whose boxes were opened or damaged. The parts list showed that all the parts
> were there and I got it for $80.
>
> It requires the use of the old points base plate and cutting off part of the
> adjusting plate on the new parts but it went in very quickly. I highly
> recommend it if you are having problems with your Onan. I'll be happy to
> provide instructions to modify it if anyone needs that info.
>
> We had 3-5 inches of snow last night and it was about 25 deg F this morning.
> I went out to see how the Onan would start in cold weather and it started
> immediately!
>
> Emery Stora
> 77 Kingsley
> Santa Fe, NM

 

[dave melton cst-7 5-4682]

>I have just finished installing Onan's MagnaArc ignition system on my 6.0
>Onan last week. I had installed the primer switch that Jim Bounds had
>written about in the GMC Motorhome Magazine last year and it gave a lot of
>starting improvement but the electronic ignition now makes my Onan start
>INSTANTLY without using the primer. It also seems to run much smoother. I
>don't remember it running this well since I bought the GMC 18 years ago. The
>only drawback is the price. It's cost is about $120.00. When I was in
>Tucson I stopped at Camping World and they had a sale on some misc. items
>whose boxes were opened or damaged. The parts list showed that all the parts
>were there and I got it for $80.
>
>It requires the use of the old points base plate and cutting off part of the
>adjusting plate on the new parts but it went in very quickly. I highly
>recommend it if you are having problems with your Onan. I'll be happy to
>provide instructions to modify it if anyone needs that info.
>
>We had 3-5 inches of snow last night and it was about 25 deg F this morning.
>I went out to see how the Onan would start in cold weather and it started
>immediately!
>
>Emery Stora
>77 Kingsley
>Santa Fe, NM

I installed the MagnaArc ignition last week in my 6.0 Onan, and found a way
to install it using the original housing and parts and no cutting up of any
parts. If anybody's interested in this e-amil me and I'll explain it. It is
really simple and you only need a drill and a couple of screws.

Thanks

Dave Melton
1975 GMC
26' Palm Beach
Espanola N.M.

 

[dave1]

I would be very interested in hearing more details on how you installed the
MagnaArc ignition on a 6.0 Onan. Last time I looked at doing the upgrade it
looked like the intake manifold would be in the way. Is that the problem
you found a work-around for?

Would one of you also post the Onan part number(s) for the system you used
on your Onans?

Thanks for the timely info.

Dave
73 Sequoia
(with an Onan thats overdue for a tune-up)

>I have just finished installing Onan's MagnaArc ignition system on my 6.0
>Onan last week. ... I'll be happy to
>provide instructions to modify it if anyone needs that info.

>I installed the MagnaArc ignition last week in my 6.0 Onan, and found a way
>to install it using the original housing and parts and no cutting up of any
>parts. If anybody's interested in this e-amil me and I'll explain it. It is
>really simple and you only need a drill and a couple of screws.

 

[dave melton cst-7 5-4682]

>I would be very interested in hearing more details on how you installed the
>MagnaArc ignition on a 6.0 Onan. Last time I looked at doing the upgrade it
>looked like the intake manifold would be in the way. Is that the problem
>you found a work-around for?
>
>Would one of you also post the Onan part number(s) for the system you used
>on your Onans?
>
>Thanks for the timely info.
>
>Dave
>73 Sequoia
>(with an Onan thats overdue for a tune-up)
>

> >I have just finished installing Onan's MagnaArc ignition system on my 6.0
> >Onan last week. ... I'll be happy to
> >provide instructions to modify it if anyone needs that info.
>

> >I installed the MagnaArc ignition last week in my 6.0 Onan, and found a way
> >to install it using the original housing and parts and no cutting up of any
> >parts. If anybody's interested in this e-amil me and I'll explain it. It is
> >really simple and you only need a drill and a couple of screws.

I don't have the part # with me today, but I will get it tonight and post
tomorrow. I got mine from Camping World and looking in my catalog, they
only sell one model.

As far as the installation goes it does inter fear with the intake
manifold. I took the aluminum base of the unit and turned it around so it
clears the manifold. There is a small corner area on the bottom of the base
that you need to grind out to allow it to clear the raised portion on the
Onan block. There is a raised point on the base that goes down into the
block and the plunger moves up and down it. Use this as an alinement pin to
center the base unit. The object here is to drill new mounting holes for
the base. You can also use the old points case as a drill guide. You want
to drill the new holes and on one side, I believe the left side you need to
counter sink the hole from the bottom and use a 1/4"-20 x 1/4" screw. The
other side you will be able to use the original allen head bolt. Then place
the electronic unit in it's correct position and counter sink drill the
holes from the bottom to use two 1/4"-20 x 1/4" screws. Use a drop of red
lock tight under the screw heads. Install the screws from the bottom and
install the base unit. Then install the electronic unit on the new screws
and secure with two nuts and lock washers. The spring clip will need to be
cut back to allow it to fit. The complete unit will mount on the Onan with
out any other modifications to the unit.

I did this about a month ago and I'm writing this from memory. If you look
at the unit and read this I think you will clearly see what needs to be
done. Parts needed are 3-counter sunk screws and 2-nuts and lock washers.

This works great on my Onan and I didn't have to cut up any parts to
install it. I'll be happy to answer any other questions on this anybody
else might have. Use this info for what it's worth and I hope someone gets
use of it.

Thanks

Dave Melton
1975 GMC
26' Palm Beach
Espanola N.M.

 

[richard guthart]

Emery,

Do you know if the MagnaArc could be installed on the smaller Onan 4.0?

Richard

>I have just finished installing Onan's MagnaArc ignition system on my 6.0
>Onan last week...(snip).....

>It requires the use of the old points base plate and cutting off part of the
>adjusting plate on the new parts but it went in very quickly. I highly
>recommend it if you are having problems with your Onan. I'll be happy to
>provide instructions to modify it if anyone needs that info.
>
>We had 3-5 inches of snow last night and it was about 25 deg F this morning.
>I went out to see how the Onan would start in cold weather and it started
>immediately!
>
>Emery Stora
>77 Kingsley
>Santa Fe, NM
>

 

[bright walter]

Dave, sure would be interested. Please include me in your email
distribution. Thanks, walter bright, '76GB.

- -----Original Message-----
From: DAVE MELTON, CST-7, 5-4682 [mailto:dlm]
Sent: Tuesday, April 06, 1999 9:09 AM
To: gmcmotorhome
Subject: Re: GMC: Onan MagnaArc electronic ignition

>I have just finished installing Onan's MagnaArc ignition system on my 6.0
>Onan last week. I had installed the primer switch that Jim Bounds had
>written about in the GMC Motorhome Magazine last year and it gave a lot of
>starting improvement but the electronic ignition now makes my Onan start
>INSTANTLY without using the primer. It also seems to run much smoother. I
>don't remember it running this well since I bought the GMC 18 years ago.
The
>only drawback is the price. It's cost is about $120.00. When I was in
>Tucson I stopped at Camping World and they had a sale on some misc. items
>whose boxes were opened or damaged. The parts list showed that all the
parts
>were there and I got it for $80.
>
>It requires the use of the old points base plate and cutting off part of
the
>adjusting plate on the new parts but it went in very quickly. I highly
>recommend it if you are having problems with your Onan. I'll be happy to
>provide instructions to modify it if anyone needs that info.
>
>We had 3-5 inches of snow last night and it was about 25 deg F this
morning.
>I went out to see how the Onan would start in cold weather and it started
>immediately!
>
>Emery Stora
>77 Kingsley
>Santa Fe, NM

I installed the MagnaArc ignition last week in my 6.0 Onan, and found a way
to install it using the original housing and parts and no cutting up of any
parts. If anybody's interested in this e-amil me and I'll explain it. It is
really simple and you only need a drill and a couple of screws.

Thanks

Dave Melton
1975 GMC
26' Palm Beach
Espanola N.M.