bendix SF4LN-8 mags

[dadam]

I am the proud owner of a '46 bc12d 65 C-FYLS in Vancouver/Victoria, B.C.

I am also a mechanic, who is not used to working on some of the vintage equipment, and I need to learn more...

My plane has eiseman mags, with a left impulse, and they are happy and working lovely.

Another bc12 that I am helping to maintain has the bendix SF4LN-8 mags on it, and they need overhaul. I lack an illustrated parts cat. or guide... any source on the web, could someone email it to me?

Also, this plane with these bendix mags, neither of them have impulse couplings, and the service instructions do not list a 4 cylinder mag with a flange mount that has an impulse coupling... is this normal??. the owner has been starting it for 15 years without it, but I certainly use less effort with my impulsed eisemans. and even if you could get an impulsed SF4LN, would you need a spacer like the modern bendix and slick? because I'm thinking there is no room for it.

Thanks in advance, I really am curious if it was normal to not have impulse couplings back in the day...

Darren Adam

[crispy critter]

Re: bendix SF4LN-8 mags

Darren,
Congrats on the new t-craft,they are the greatest pleasure bird you could have.
The bendix SF4LN-8 is the Scintillas(I think that's how you spell that).Those are great mags and almost bullet proof.Unfortunatly when they do have a problem that can't be fixed by simply cleaning them up good then they are pretty much junk.I have never been able to find a source to get parts for them and I do not think you can put an impulse on them.I may be wrong but I have owned a few birds with this type mag and none of them ever had and impulse.They all started very easy once you figured out the trick for each bird.I like the Scintilla mags but if I ever had a problem with one that couldn't be fixed with a good cleaning then I'd just bite the bullet and replace them with new slicks .

[Robert Lees]

Re: bendix SF4LN-8 mags

One of my Taylorcrafts has these on, and indeed there is no impulse. The engine starts fine, but awkward from behind the prop, so I replaced them with the Eismann's from my project plane.

I did get new points for the bendix, but they are getting hard to find and so cost a small fortune.

Rob

[gilligansae]

Re: bendix SF4LN-8 mags

My Tcraft has the Bendix mags on it and have only been problematic once (I had to adjust the gap on the breaker in the back on each) otherwise they work flawless and start easy. I know of no impulse coupling Bendix mags of that variety. Parts were hard to find, but Aircraft Spruce recently had an entire listing of all the rebuild parts for them... look online.

A parts list is in the Continental overhaul manual in the back - all the mags are shown. Spruce has the parts list online as well I think,

Jeff
N43294

[Mark Julicher]

Re: bendix SF4LN-8 mags

Check page three of any Trade-A-Plane.
Fresno has parts including coils which were once impossible to obtain. Or they can sell you a set of overhauled SF4s with harness and plugs on exchange.
Fresno also has the Bendix manual under the Continental A-65 listing (go figure).

I have the manual but I don't have some special Bendix tools. Last time mine were done was in Carlisle, Arkansas, but the old fellow there closed up shop. I believe he was bought out by a guy named Wayman (sp?) and he has a magneto shop with a good reputation in Searcy, Arkansas.

[Rick_Utley]

Re: bendix SF4LN-8 mags

The Bendix Scintilla Mags are Great!! I got mine overhauled at a far price by Savage Magneto Service in Hayward Ca. I think they had everything in stock that they needed. In fact, I spent the afternoon watching then go through the first mag. It was a great education. Manuals are alwyas on eBay for $20.00 or so.

I can't say enough good things about these guys. Give them a call.

Savage Magneto Service
510-782-7081

[Tom Baker]

Re: bendix SF4LN-8 mags

The Bendix Scintilla Mags are Great!! I got mine overhauled at a far price by Savage Magneto Service in Hayward Ca. I think they had everything in stock that they needed. In fact, I spent the afternoon watching then go through the first mag. It was a great education. Manuals are alwyas on eBay for $20.00 or so.

I can't say enough good things about these guys. Give them a call.

Savage Magneto Service
510-782-7081

i have used the shoebox bendix on several engins lyc. and cont. 10 to 15 years of service expected. savage magneto are great to work with. tom baker nc 29654.