What is this contraption on my Suburbans K91?

[benjiboo 174]

So I bought a Suburban a couple weekends ago with the original Kohler K91 engine and I've been messing with the carburetor and such getting it running good when I noticed a little gray device on the side of the engine that looks way newer than the rest of the engine and tractor. So the question for the experts.....what is this mystery device? Also note that the kill switch sticking out of the points cover does nothing but the tractor has a separate kill switch on the dash.

Edited November 16, 2022 by benjiboo
Added content

[Achto 27,597]

3 minutes ago, benjiboo said:

So the question for the experts.....what is this mystery device? 

 

That is a Nova ignition module. It is used instead of the points, to up grade to electronic ignition.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Electronic-Transistorized-Ignition-Module-Nova/dp/B007BI6FW6

Edited November 16, 2022 by Achto

[ri702bill 8,327]

8 minutes ago, benjiboo said:

Also note that the kill switch sticking out of the points cover does nothing but the tractor has a separate kill switch on the dash.

No more points to ground out when you have the more reliable Nova unit - you get a better more consistant spark - good upgrade....

[benjiboo 174]

Sweet! I thought it was rather odd that I didn't need to mess with the points to get it running good...apparently it doesn't have any anymore. Lol.

[ri702bill 8,327]

[Racinbob 11,086]

I purchased two of these quite a while ago. I never installed them because I was skeptical and I forgot about them until now. So, this little do-dad totally bypasses the points? What about timing? Apparently shorting the ignition doesn't hurt them? Are they reliable? 

[Achto 27,597]

20 minutes ago, Racinbob said:

So, this little do-dad totally bypasses the points? What about timing? Apparently shorting the ignition doesn't hurt them? Are they reliable? 

 

I have used them on Briggs & Techy's with very good luck. They are for magneto coils only, timing relies on your fly wheel magnets. On a cast iron Briggs you can move the coil to adjust timing. You short out the coil to kill the engine. 

I have one on a recently purchased Suburban with a K91. I'll let you know in a few years how it's holding up.

Edited November 17, 2022 by Achto

[Racinbob 11,086]

14 minutes ago, Achto said:

 

I have used them on Briggs & Techy's with very good luck. They are for magneto coils only, timing relies on your fly wheel magnets. On a cast iron Briggs you can move the coil to adjust timing. You short out the coil to kill the engine. 

I have one on a recently purchased Suburban with a K91. I'll let you know in a few years how it's holding up.

 

Thanks Dan. My Suburban 400 will be the first victim. 

[benjiboo 174]

I can say that I'm pleasantly surprised at how smooth this 60+yr old K91 runs with this device installed... It's nice to not have to fidget with points.