Sa-200 F163

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Hi my name is Joe and I am new here. I am in the hauling and rigging business. I recently had an old employer give me a Lincoln SA-200 F163 as a gift. I was thrilled, I always loved these welders. I learned to weld with an SA-200 back in the 70's, and to me at least, they weld nicer than anything else.So I brought it back to the shop, cleaned out the Marvel, put an inline filter in the gas line, new points and condenser in the American Bosh mag, new plugs, cleaned the commutators & freed up the brush holders, and changed the oil &filter.Well it's running real nice, everything works including the idler and I am pleased as can be with it.So I wanted to see what is available for it and when I googled SA-200 all kinds of stuff comes up. I see stuff mentioned about "short hood" and "red face" variations. I didn't know that there were so many variations of this machine.What are the "short hood" and "red face" models? and are the differences just sheet metal? Or are they different on the electrical end?Any information will be appreciated.Joe
Reply:[QUOTE=So I brought it back to the shop, cleaned out the Marvel, put an inline filter in the gas line, new points and condenser in the American Bosh mag, new plugs, cleaned the commutators & freed up the brush holders, and changed the oil &filter.So I wanted to see what is available for it and when I googled SA-200 all kinds of stuff comes up. I see stuff mentioned about "short hood" and "red face" variations. I didn't know that there were so many variations of this machine.What are the "short hood" and "red face" models? and are the differences just sheet metal? Or are they different on the electrical end?Joe[/QUOTE]Bosh Mag?, should be a Fairbanks, never the less the stubby or short hood is just that, a short framed case. Unit has a F162  engine  The red faces are long frame like yours but with a roundish all copper generator instead of the hexigon generator with the Aluminum interpole coils
Reply:Well I did some research last night, and I found out my machine is a 1969 model, serial #A-638843. It has a round barrel stator for the main generator. I thought the Bosch mag was odd too. In fact before I even unloaded it from my trailer I went out and bought all the parts I figured I would need and I bought points and condenser for a FM mag.I used to work on these things from time to time, mostly just to clean out the carbs, set up the governors, timing etc. I think this is the first time I have seen an AB mag on one.
Reply:Lincoln used many of the Bosch mags. Lots of folks like them better, but they are harder to work on. Your machine actually had a black nameplate when shipped. If you want a suggestion, put a red one on it. Won't weld any differently but the value just went up. weldersales
Reply:Why are the red face machines more desirable? Is it because they used the "round barrel" copper wound main generator?Is my "round barrel" "black face" machine the same as a "red face" mechanically and electrically?
Reply:I haven't been able to find a difference. weldersales