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Following the de- and attaching of a Slick magneto (models 4200/4300) will be described on a Lycoming engine.
In general
This description is meant to be informative for technical personal of FBO’s. It is not meant to replace otherwise descriptions of the aircraft- or engine manufacturer.
Legally binding are the instructions of the aircraft manufacturer, if there is no data, use the instructions of the engine manufacturer.
The detachment and attachment should only be carried out by authorized personal.
Detachment
Attention As soon as the ground cable is detached the ignition lick is also disabled. That leads to a HOT magneto, the engine could start. Make sure that you detach the harness cables first!
AttentionFor some engines the magneto drive is attached with a separate pinion gear that includes cushions. These cushions could get lost while detaching. Watch that they don´t fall into the engine.
General Information
Magnetos come with impulse coupling or drive. Pinion gears are not scope of the delivery. They are delivered by the engine manufacturer, usually they are reused after inspection / overhaul.
Simple said an engine does have a right and a left magneto – motor gliders are the exception as they only have one magneto circuit.
The name plate tells you the type, the year of manufacture (part of the serial number), the rotating direction, the revision, and if applicable the angle of the retard contact points.
Graphical representation:
(Pinion gears are not scope of Unison-Slick)
magneto typ 4370
SN: built 1999 in December, sequential number 298
Lycoming PN: 66GP-0SANN
Rotation: L = left
Revision: C
ignition timing to engine (Lag.): -
Preparation
Before installation
Attention If the distributor gear stops while turning into position you need to take it out for around 10mm (to get over the high tension lead) and go on
Preparation of the engine
The magneto can be attached when the ignition timing of cylinder 1 is correct (see above)
Attention the positioning angle is depending on engine typ. It can be found on it´s data plate.
Note
To check if the engine is timed correct, many mechanics make a leak test at the spark plug hole of cylinder 1. It's quite small and you can feel with a finger the compressing of the air.
Attaching
After preparation of magneto & engine the magneto will be attached to it.
• Usually the magneto with the impulse coupling comes on the left engine side (flight direction)
• The magneto without impulse coupling will be attached right
• Attach the magnetos with inserted timing pin to the engine and turn them towards the engine rotation direction approx. 10mm
• Tighten the mounting nuts until the magneto can only turn with medium force
• Detach the timing pin
• Set the ignition point
Maybe you can´t position a magneto at the right timing. Check if it does have a pinion gear. If it does have, turn the gear 180 degree. This will lead to half a tooth difference – most times enough to make an exact timing!
After the timing is made we recommend to put a colored marking between magneto and flange. Later checks: If you find the timing differ for more than 3 degree from this initial position you should detach it and send it in for maintenance.
Test Run
Only a complet mounted cowling supplies enough cooling!
Run the engine only for a short periode of time. The clinders can get too hot because the air doens´t flow between them.
Running the engine without cowling can damage it
Periodic inspection (see FAQ)
Inspection of Slick magnetos 4200/4300/6200 & 6300 series
SB2-80C defines that magnetos have to be checked every 100h externally and every 500h internally.
We recommend 250h for pressurized magnetos because of the former described ozone problems.
Magneto types 4200 & 6200 also need a 1000h inspection that varies from 500h.
Following SB1-89B all Slick magnetos attached to a single ignition system (motor glider) need to be inspected every 50h externally, and 250h or latest after 24month internally.
Inspection of Bendix magnetos S20/S200/S1200/D3000 & D2000 series
Perform a 500h inspection or - if not reached within 4years - an overhaul.