SA 200 reliability

[bdog]

I know these things have a cult like following and you see a ton of them on pipeliner's trucks. Have they done a ton of mods to them to make them reliable or are they just adept at keeping them running? I recently picked up a 71 red face SA 200 with the round barrel and copper windings. F163 engine. The thing seems really simple and easy to fix but seems to always have little things going wrong with it. The carb probably needs rebuilt, the magneto ignition is troublesome, the idle acts up, etc.

I am not a welder by trade but do a fair amount of welding at my property. I have been using a trailblazer I have had for 7 years and bought this because I love the arc characteristics on them. Now granted this is a 40 year old machine but it seems I spend more time messing with the machine than actually welding. My original thoughts were once I was satisfied the SA200 was good to sell my my trailblazer and just use the the SA200. Now I am not so sure. Maybe I need to spend some time and money and go through the whole thing? I have even considered selling them both and buying a new Vantage diesel.

 

[seaneastok]

Normally as long as the f 163 continental is in good shape mechanically I add a Pertronix electronic ignition to eliminate the magneto, add the idler upgrade kit, carb rebuild if needed and you're good to go.:cool2:

 

[Shield Arc]

I collect SA-200s. And also have a Vantage 400. I paid $200.00 for my 1966 Red Face. it didn't weld when I bought it. 15-minutes after getting home I had it welding. Just had to free the brushes. I've had the engine rebuilt, and the generator gone through. It welds like a new machine now.
Here are some web sites where your can get parts for you SA-200.
Bill's Welder Repair Home, welder repair,welder parts, warranty, torch repair, regulator repair, gauge repair, Lincoln Electric, Miller Electric, Hobart, Victor, Smith, Purox, Rego, Harris, Thermal Dynamics, Thermal Arc, Airco, torch, regulator repai
STUMPF WELDING SUPPLIES INC. SINCE 1952
Home page
Home - Welder Parts Warehouse
Fairbanks Morse Magneto Parts
http://www.lincolnlove.biz/index.html
http://www.cablecontrolkits.com/index.php

 

[bdog]

Thanks guys. I ordered the distributor upgrade kit, Idle board upgrade, an a new zenith carburetor and an oil filter flip kit. Hopefully this will work the kinks out. I really want this thing to work out for me. I have drooled over SA200's since the early nineties and now I finally have one.

 

[Shield Arc]

I love my SA-200s, they almost made a welder out of me!

 

[dragoneggs]

I love my SA-200s, they almost made a welder out of me!

You'll catch on... keep practicing.

 

[Shield Arc]

You'll catch on... keep practicing.

You promise?
It's been a few weeks now, and I'm still not catching on to it!

 

[Furu]

You promise?
It's been a few weeks now, and I'm still not catching on to it!

Give it another week I bet you figure it out.

 

[dragoneggs]

Give it another week I bet you figure it out.

I find it ironic that we are talking about the reliability of SA welders.

 

[Furu]

I find it ironic that we are talking about the reliability of SA welders.

You mean the welder that is probably the most coveted welder that was ever made and is still working longer than probably any other model ever built.
Ironic maybe, but I can think of some other terms/adjectives.

 

[bdog]

I find it ironic that we are talking about the reliability of SA welders.

I have no doubt they are GREAT machines. They are 40 + years old though and have several components that can be made much better with modern upgrades. Mine is all stock and has lots of problems. I ordered some parts and hope to make it more reliable.

 

[Big Barn]

I have no doubt they are GREAT machines. They are 40 + years old though and have several components that can be made much better with modern upgrades. Mine is all stock and has lots of problems. I ordered some parts and hope to make it more reliable.

Yes. Some have been around 70+ years . Time flies....

 

[Big Barn]

Oops screwed up and double posted. Here’s a pic of two of mine.



Hope everyone has a great day.

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

I find it ironic that we are talking about the reliability of SA welders.

You mean the welder that is probably the most coveted welder that was ever made and is still working longer than probably any other model ever built.
Ironic maybe, but I can think of some other terms/adjectives.

+1 and +1 :thumbsup:

When any machine gets old, it just needs a little love to get back the reliability.

 

[dragoneggs]

I find it ironic that we are talking about the reliability of SA welders.

I have no doubt they are GREAT machines. They are 40 + years old though and have several components that can be made much better with modern upgrades. Mine is all stock and has lots of problems. I ordered some parts and hope to make it more reliable.

+1 and +1 :thumbsup:

When any machine gets old, it just needs a little love to get back the reliability.

Not sure we are talking about the same welder? Yeah, 40+ years, a reliable welder, and can always use a little love. We are talking about Shied Arc, right? :laughing:

 

[bdog]

What do you guys recommend for an air filter? The oil bath is missing and it had no air filter at all. I started tearing into it today and it seems pretty straightforward to rebuild this thing. Got the hood off, drained the fuel tank, oil, removed the carb and magneto. Hope to get it all back together this week.

 

[Shield Arc]

Here is a selection for you to look over.
Lincoln SA-2 air filter | eBay
Air Cleaner Upgrade Kits - Products

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

I'm surprised you were running it without an air filter...
The originals can be found on eBay, so can upgraded versions.
There is also a k&n filter that slips on it.

Your trailblazer should weld with an arc quality that is very close to the Lincoln, but the Miller makes way more generator power for tools and such.
If you had a bobcat I wouldn't make that arc quality comparison - lol.

Edit, I see Shield Arc posted the air filter listing.

 

[bdog]

It came that way without an air filter when I bought it. I have not used it much.

I have looked over the options. That hybriweld is nice but pricey. I wonder if the $40 KN does a good job? I don't want to be penny wise and pond foolish but I also don't want to buy a $200 air filter if I don't need to.

 

[dragoneggs]

It came that way without an air filter when I bought it. I have not used it much.

I have looked over the options. That hybriweld is nice but pricey. I wonder if the $40 KN does a good job? I don't want to be penny wise and pond foolish but I also don't want to buy a $200 air filter if I don't need to.

Holy crap! I had to click on the link to believe it. Unless this is going to be a museum piece, MacGyver a K&N or similar and pocket the $150 for something more fun.