Farmall M About Mid Forties I Think, Positive or Neg Ground?

I think it is a super M. Long story that you don't want to hear but I have just inherited this beast. So is this a positive or negative ground? It is wired as a negative right now but this is causing me aggravation. Magneto? The starter polarity seems to be positive ground. I need help. Live hydraulics, Deere cylinders with down pressure and PTO, I gotta put this to work.
Poor Steve, he parked it at the farm 10 years ago so his wife would not find out as she threatened divorce. Bitch on wheels but I digress. He always wanted an M and he has come over and played with it many times. I have used it a number of times for post hole digging but never really looked at it. Now he is divorced anyway can't pay the money I lent him and pleaded with me to take this instead.

CN say, never let a coal stove or tractor go to waste. I gotta 6' bush hog waiting for it. The tin is straight perhaps I will restore it or at least give it a Krylon overhaul. Sooo, the magneto doesn't have any connection to the battery voltage does it? Confused.

My understanding of a magneto is you don't neec a battery. Most small engines, chainsaw , weed wackier have magneto. I believe motorcycles have them to keep battery charged. Not sure about the farmall
M

Original would be 6 volt positive ground but your not original anymore seeing the 12 volt battery.

CN, there is a Farmall forum out there very much like this one. Don't know the name, but do a search, Tons of info.
Jim

You're probably still pos. ground Simon, even with the 12 volt

FF, Yep and whoever put in the battery got it backwards. Look at the red lead energizing the starter. I just needed to hear it from the master. That would explain a lot of things. Of course, I could rummage through the internet forums but why do that when this board is the source of all wisdom.

I just did a quick Google search for Farmall M wiring diagram...the information available is impressive. Diagram said positive ground.

thx R

Change that battery to Positive ground
you may need to re polarize the generator to make the charging system work but that will not effect the magneto



does it have good spark?

http://www.yesterdaystractors.com/farmall/wwwboard1.html

The magneto is totally divorced from the electrical system. The only wiring running to it should be a single wire to shut down the tractor by grounding the points out.
ICB wrong but I think International switched to negative ground with the number series in the early 50's
Dan.