Slick Pins

Tom-D

Tom-D

Taxi to Parking
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Tom-D
What damage will occur when the engine is rotated while the pin is installed..
I'm thinking that it needs to be disassembled to inspect.
 
I did that, once. It only took a couple of minutes to pull it apart to see the only thing damaged was the pin. But, that was the Slick pin, not the roll-your-own tool that a lot of folks seem to use.

The way I inspected for damage was to remove the cap&wire assy. Pull the magneto. Pull the magneto housing cover off, then remove the 2 screws and spacers for the distributor block. Gott be careful here not to drop any parts. Maybe do this over a big bin.

Once inspected, it took a little fiddling to get it all back together. But, not bad. I've got over 100 hours on it since then. Never a hiccup.

--Oh, that's on a 4300 series mag. I think the 4600 series are about the same.
 
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WHY do folks have to move the prop when you are installing mags?

“I don’t think it hurt anything.”

Justifiable homicide?

My call would be to disassemble for inspection.

I’m not sure what’s the “ weakest link” that would fail.

Joe Logie of Slick/Champion 904 772 1909 will tell you what you need to know.

He is a great guy and extremely knowledgeable.

One caveat is to have mag info available and BE READY TO COPY!!
 
I saw that once. Some mechanic came to our airport to fix an airplane from the flight school where he worked. He turned the prop after installing the mag with the pin still in it. The pin just got bent in two places. Took the mag apart and removed the pin, and the gearing looked fine. I believe the Slick pin is a really mild steel, maybe almost pure iron. Using a nail or something harder would certainly damage the gearing.
 
I understand that the pin gets bent, then the mag must to be opened to the pin out.

I'll suggest that the extra step, and see other damage occurred.
 
My thought is obvious damage would be the pin hole in the Distributor Housing &
Distributor Gear elongating or cracking.

Not so obvious is the the Rotor Gear ( M3827 4 cyl. & M3828 6 cyl. ).

This plastic Gear is pushed onto the end of the Rotor and is driven by a not very
robust looking “key” that is integral with the Gear.

They WERE cheap and I’ve replaced quite a few for being loose on Rotor.

No price in ACS catalog.

Hmm?

Related is a Slick /Champion SB calling for replacing Distributor Gears utilizing
a Copper Electrode “finger” with a new Gear that uses a Monel Electrode.

FREE for some S/N .

And they DO get loose!
 
That plastic gear is prone for cracking anyway. I recently sent a set of slicks off for the 500 hr inspection. They found cracks in both.
I’d call one of the slick slick mag experts at Aircraft Magneto Services. They will definitely be able to offer advice on this.
 
Which of the plastic gears did they find cracked?
 
Customer say's both mags are going in for overhaul.
He says they are due anyway..
 
Jdm said:
That plastic gear is prone for cracking anyway. I recently sent a set of slicks off for the 500 hr inspection. They found cracks in both.
I’d call one of the slick slick mag experts at Aircraft Magneto Services. They will definitely be able to offer advice on this.
Click to expand...


My understanding was they found cracks in both of “That plastic gear”.

Here’s why I asked.

The plastic Rotor Gear (M3827 or M3828) was sold for $12.75 only 3 years ago.

I would say about 30% of the time the it needs replacing.

Was $12.75 about3 years ago.

Now?

The Distributor Gear is another story.

It is sold as an assembly at over $200.

If you deal with the mfg it may be FREE depending on mag s/n.

FREE is an unknown word in aviation.!!


The folks at Aircraft Magneto Service are very good to deal with.

It can be a challenge to determine whether it is best to deal with the manufacturer or Repair Station in each situation.
 
Both distributor gears cracked. 1 in each mag = both. Apparently they are problematic.
 
A caveat when purchasing mags and other items.

ASSURE there are outstanding Service Bulletins before installing

even if they are just purchased new.

The BIG folks do not check their stock for SBs.

Obviously this can have you taking delivery only to return or forward to mfg.

Anyone obtain model and serial number before delivery?

Slick did take care of it as there were only about 100 hrs since install.


FYI - I find it very interesting that Slick keeps a video of the assembly of every

Mag they deal with regarding SBs.

Not sure if they also do with new.
 
The distributor gears installed by AMS has SBs complied with and documented on invoice.
 
I’m sure they would be.

No charge?
 
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