Sa-200 Question

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Hi guys, new to the forum.  I’m restoring an SA-200 (I think it's an '80s model)for my dad.  It has the F163 enine.  All the exhaust valves are stuck open on it , which is an easy fix.  My question is:  when I turn the crank, about every half revolution, I get a ‘chang” sound, like a sticky valve has sprung loose and slapped the lifter.  But with the cover off, and watching all the valves, no such thing is happening,  The exhaust valves of course aren’t doing it, and the intakes are riding smoothly .  It almost sounds like it’s coming from the governor.  I’m not too far from being able to fire it up, but I need to know what is making this sound.  Any ideas?
Reply:Originally Posted by BIGGRHAMMRHi guys, new to the forum.  I’m restoring an SA-200 (I think it's an '80s model)for my dad.  It has the F163 enine.  All the exhaust valves are stuck open on it , which is an easy fix.  My question is:  when I turn the crank, about every half revolution, I get a ‘chang” sound, like a sticky valve has sprung loose and slapped the lifter.  But with the cover off, and watching all the valves, no such thing is happening,  The exhaust valves of course aren’t doing it, and the intakes are riding smoothly .  It almost sounds like it’s coming from the governor.  I’m not too far from being able to fire it up, but I need to know what is making this sound.  Any ideas?
Reply:Thank you so much "joethemechanic".  I was nervous, that I was going to have to go alot deeper than just marvel mystery oil on the valves.  It's nice to know that this is such a popular welder too!
Reply:Not just popular, It is the best engine driven DC welding machine ever made. Wait until you weld with it.Did you check the brushes on the exciter and the main generator? The 2 for the exciter are under the hat on the end.there is a sheet metal band on the main generator that is clamped together with a couple of 1/4" ? bolts. The 8 main brushes are under that sheet metal band. there will be 4 pairs of 2 brushes each.Pull all the brushes and make sure they ride in and out in the brush holders freely. Sometimes the comutator needs cleaned up. there is a special stone for cleaning them but in a pinch sandpaper will do. Just don't use other abrasives like emery cloth or silicon carbide, aluminum oxide or anything like that.Joewww.CummingsHauling.com
Reply:Originally Posted by joethemechanicNot just popular, It is the best engine driven DC welding machine ever made. Wait until you weld with it.
Reply:Originally Posted by 69 chevyWOW, I feel like buying one just to say I weld with the very best!
Reply:As great as the SA-200  are, ( i own one ) i still rather weld with my SA-250 (Perkins) diesel. Maybe cause it's a lot cheaper on fuel ?  They both weld fantastic , so pay yer money & take yer pick . To me the SA-250 is a welding version of a ROLEX watch .[SIZE="5"Yardbird"
Reply:Quote: Pull all the brushes and make sure they ride in and out in the brush holders freely. Sometimes the comutator needs cleaned up. there is a special stone for cleaning them but in a pinch sandpaper will do. Just don't use other abrasives like emery cloth or silicon carbide, aluminum oxide or anything like that.No, I haven't looked at all that yet.  I am curious where you get that stone though.  I've been to several motor (electric) shops around town, and they all give me a blank stare when I mention this stone.  So I have been using emery cloth, on starters, motors and the like.  Why would it be bad on the welder?
Reply:Go to a welding supply to get the stone. A little trick; clean the commutator every couple of months just enough to get the black off of it, it makes your arc smoother.
Reply:Well the abrasive on the emery cloth is supposed to embed itself in the commutator. The brushes are then held off of the comutator just a slight amount by the enbedded particles. This causes the brushes to arc.That was what I learned in school. So I always tried to use either nothing but the proper stone or else in a pinch sand paper.The electric motor dealers unless they do a lot of DC motor work really don't understand commutators.DC motors really aren't as common as they once were. They used to be used in applications that required speed control, but variable frequency drives for AC induction motors are now very affordable and have taken the place of the DC motor.Really other than welding generators, and starter motors, the only time I work on things with a commutator any more are on very old overhead cranes, and generators for scrapyard magnets.Oh yeah I am sure Stumpf, Bill's Welder Repair, and Hybriweld can all hook you up with replacement brushes and a stone.Last edited by joethemechanic; 03-18-2008 at 10:26 PM.Joewww.CummingsHauling.com
Reply:we have the stones and brushes in stock. 618 566-4733.thanks stumpf -aka   j-rod
Reply:Thanks for the hellp guys, once I get the carb rebuilt, and the valves cooperating, I'll look into this.