Magneto overhaul shops

Jim K

Jim K

360 For Spacing
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Mar 31, 2019
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Knee deep in a Lycoming
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Richard Digits
Lance is in for annual. Mechanic called today and said 500 hour magneto inspection is due. I have the vaunted Bendix Dual Mag.

I'd rather not use Poplar Grove again due to previous experience.

PA32 FB group seems to like Eagle in Florida.

I thought there was a place in Texas that was recommended on here, but I can't find it now.

Other suggestions?
 
I like Eagle in Florida, though have never had a dual mag airplane. Shaun just did a couple mags for my Duke a couple months ago. Super quick turns, very reasonable prices.
 
Since it's not my money....didn't electro air get approval for the dual mag
 
Ryan Klems said:
I believe @Magman still does the dual magnetos.
Click to expand...


Nope. Just a rumor. I’ve done minor things for many years. Always tried

to minimize involvement with “D’s” but hasn’t always worked.

AMS would have been my choice. FlyguyDon on the Piper Forum does them

and folks are satisfied.

I had a guy sent his in to someone after a long time with no servicing and

had to have his housing replaced due to corrosion. It was the last one

they had. Wherever you go I’ll strongly suggest you replace the IC Spring.

Preferably with the “ improved “ if you can. It’s also the only Spring

I encountered that needs special equipment to install.


This “ Snow Time” I’ll be selling off misc mag parts and other things.

My term is “peeling the onion”.
 
I have the LAST magneto done by Savage… the single LAST.

Not the last two… just the last.

I’m running 1940s Scintellas, the only mag approved for my engine.

Sorry man, ain’t got nothin for ya, mag rebuilding is kinda a sore spot with me right now, ha!!

In their defense, the primary mover there unfortunately just broke his leg in a fall, and is in his MID NINETIES!
 
Racerx said:
Since it's not my money....didn't electro air get approval for the dual mag
Click to expand...
I think it was about a year ago. Several people on the Facebook group have had massive problems with them. As in going back to the magnetos so they can fly problems. "How did they get an STC?" level problems. It's a shame because I would actually be willing to drop the 15K if I was confident it would work.
 
There was a time when every airport had a mechanic or two that did

Engines, structures, mags, carbs etc. These folks were referred to as a

“ A&E” which was “Anything and Everything” .

Today there are less flying hours, parts difficult to obtain and e-mags

may have mag shops going the way of wrapped cable splices.
 
Every biz would like to have some type of “ mini production line”

to be efficient. You can do “ one on one “ but it might not be making good

use of your personnel. As with most trades; not everyone has the same

skills. Some folks may be good at disassembly and cleaning. D- mag guys

may be limited. If you owned the shop how many man- hours would you

invest in D- mag training?
 
Jim K said:
I'd rather not use Poplar Grove again due to previous experience.
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I'm listening... In my talking with them I get the impression that they send some?? accessories out for work these days, which is a shame. I'll be up there in late November and will try to get more solid info.
I knew a trusted source who would only send his D-mag to Aircraft Systems in Rockford but they closed shop a couple years back.

I've read on other forums about Kelly parts for these mags being low quality and scarce for some time but that has gotten better in the last couple of years.
I put out some feelers on current experience with trustworthy shops specifically with D-mags.
 
Jim K said:
:oops: six weeks! I thought poplar's two weeks was bad.
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In 2019 it was 2 weeks for a overhaul. In March of 2023 they said 6-8 weeks turn around time. Mike said he had 2 less techs and way more work than in the past.
Story of our lives now...
 
Jim K said:
I think it was about a year ago. Several people on the Facebook group have had massive problems with them. As in going back to the magnetos so they can fly problems. "How did they get an STC?" level problems. It's a shame because I would actually be willing to drop the 15K if I was confident it would work.
Click to expand...
I had heard that as well about the electro air. And not just the dual mag. I originally thought it was the install, but too many issues I think
 
Jim K said:
:oops: six weeks! I thought poplar's two weeks was bad.
Click to expand...
Have had nothing but good experiences with Steve at Poplar Grove. It might help that my A&P has more of a rapport being so close. They put new valves and seats in one of my cylinders last year and was about 2 weeks.

My A&P found a thumbnail size chunk of aluminum in the suction screen of dad's io-540. He called up poplar Grove and they told him where theyd look just based of the description. They were right A boss off the accessory case. Off to Tulsa for welding.
 
From an A&P buddy:
"I'm using Crossfire Magneto Service for the D-Mags. They are however brutally expensive and their communication has suffered in the last year. (and it was about a year back I last sent a D-mag for them to IRAN and that turned into a full blown $3600 overhaul).
https://www.crossfiremagneto.com/magnetos
That penned, the mags come back in great shape. Timing between the r/l is typically less than a 1/2 degree split which is better than I can do myself."
 
Just curious. What's the advantage to overhauling the mags you have vs. exchanging them ?
 
Time; but the other way around.

Many Techs can do the 500 but they may not stock parts.

That would then entail removing mag, disassembly and evaluation

and then ordering the needs items.

Not- in -stock or Back Order notices won’t get you back in the air.
 
El Paseo Aero at KELP just rebuilt mine. My plane was in for some other services and I wanted them to look at my mag as I was having heating issues and other steps to resolve the heating issue did not prove successful. The mag would not time correctly. The mag had 420 hours on it so I asked that they completely overhaul it. My heating issues are now gone. I do not know if they take outside orders. Took about 1 week.
 
Jim K said:
I have never seen dual mags offered for exchange.
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My A&P sent me this link when I asked him. I'm sure you've already checked and its not what you need.


www.aircraftspruce.com

Overhauled Bendix Dual Magnetos | Aircraft Spruce

Overhauled Bendix Dual Magnetos Quality Aircraft Accessories stocks a wide variety of Bendix dual magenetos.
www.aircraftspruce.com www.aircraftspruce.com

I'm not familiar with dual mags so forgive me for sounding clueless. :D
 
Kitch said:
My A&P sent me this link when I asked him. I'm sure you've already checked and its not what you need.


www.aircraftspruce.com

Overhauled Bendix Dual Magnetos | Aircraft Spruce

Overhauled Bendix Dual Magnetos Quality Aircraft Accessories stocks a wide variety of Bendix dual magenetos.
www.aircraftspruce.com www.aircraftspruce.com

I'm not familiar with dual mags so forgive me for sounding clueless. :D
Click to expand...

Might work till after you check out, then they send you an email saying expected delivery in 120 days.
 
Tools said:
I have the LAST magneto done by Savage… the single LAST.

Not the last two… just the last.

I’m running 1940s Scintellas, the only mag approved for my engine.

Sorry man, ain’t got nothin for ya, mag rebuilding is kinda a sore spot with me right now, ha!!

In their defense, the primary mover there unfortunately just broke his leg in a fall, and is in his MID NINETIES!
Click to expand...
What engine you have?
 
Lycoming o-435-1. Off a Stinson L-5.
 
Ah… it’s on the nose of a experimental biplane, a Starduster Too…

The TCDS for a -1 ONLY lists the S6LN-8, but there’s gotta be normal mags on other variations of this motor that should work fine, like yours!

Are there any other specs on those mags like a part number? I’m gonna look into them. Thanks!
 
Tools said:
Ah… it’s on the nose of a experimental biplane, a Starduster Too…

The TCDS for a -1 ONLY lists the S6LN-8, but there’s gotta be normal mags on other variations of this motor that should work fine, like yours!

Are there any other specs on those mags like a part number? I’m gonna look into them. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, that airplane went down the road about 5 years ago and I don't have any recollection of what magneto part numbers were used on it. The left one was set up for shower of sparks and the right one was plain.
 
Hmmm… saw that make on o-470s, so the shower of sparks jives.

See? Shouldn’t EVER get rid of a plane! Now what ima gonna do? Ha!
 
There is much commonality with mag components. The “ 10 number”

is significant. Small changes do change designations.

Armed with the 10 number you may want to download the Bendix

Master Manual. You may be able to convert p/ n with an EXP..

Repair Stations may have the option to do so. Some can convert

Engine models so they may be able to do with mags as well.


If you are unsuccessful get back to me in a month or so.

I have some really old manuals.
 
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