The International Cessna^® 170 Association

I used to prefer Slicks because they had so many fewer AD's than Bendix. But Bendix is actually a superior qualilty magneto and is readily repaired and serviced virtually anywhere.... many mechanics simply will not work on Slicks, insisting upon total replacement. At least that's been my experience over 35 years of owning both brands/types.

(My Aeronca had it's original 1948 Bendix mags, never overhauled, with only points being replaced twice (if you can believe the logs.) It propped off first pull every time.

My 206 had Slick failures, but they were repaired by the local shop... no problem, but cost as much as exchange by the time it was over. (coil failure and the other was looked at for drill and guess what?..... the plastic gear was on the verge of total stipped/failure. Only a couple of minutes apart and dual mag failures would have occured.

So... my botttom line is: Either mag can fail. Both types need prescribed regular maintenance. (Big Plus for Bendix IMHO: TCM now owns them.)

George I think the Slick marketing blunder I spoke of has gotten you.

I sure can't say the Bendix are made any better than the Slicks I installed. Time will tell I suppose. If the Slicks last longer than the bearing and capacitor that gave out on my Bendix in just over 300 hours I'd say they are just as good, may be better.

Could be more mechanics are familiar with Bendix and have parts on hand because they've had to fix Bendix more often.

John
I think the last post I sent might be missleading.. sorry about that ...In actuality what I ment to say is that I have all the equiptment to overhaul bendix mags..... I have none for the Slicks... and probaly never will! By the time you buy all the parts for either mag the cost will be about the same...Then you have my shop cost... If I were working for you ...Shipping is the main differance..and that is getting out of sight!!!!Then there is the liability issue..... I'd rather have a yellow tag (or blue) from slick than, worry about the mag that I overhauled..... especially if there is basicaly very little price differance with everything included....minus shipping.....I think that is the way that Slick is looking at it, the're keeping the price down, and are keping control of product and still, the mechanic gets the R&R time without the liabilty.
brad

Thanks for the clarification, Brad! That makes sense.

John

N9149A wrote:George I think the Slick marketing blunder I spoke of has gotten you. ...

I suppose you are meaning the reluctance of most mechanics I've experienced to work on Slicks... but as I said, the locals around here (very qualified guys) were happy to work on them, and they repaired them just fine. Trouble is: They were only repaired...not overhauled.... for the cost of overhaul/exchanges, plus two hours R&R. Good news is: I was flying again in only 3 hours.

Well yes George and reading Brad's clarification you will under stand why mechanics won't have Slick tools and most won't use their Bendix tools anymore either.

Sounds like a great suggestion for a "Service Clinic" to be held at a convention. (Should increase airplane attendance.)

Read all the above. I believe that some people do not make sure all AD's are C/W. I believe that the two mags failing might be the fact that the coils were the old type that should have been replaced years back per a AD on coils and rotating magnetos. I have checked Bendix mags as only over a year ago and the coilds and rotaing magnets were not replaced as per Ad and when a coil cracks it takes the path of least residtance which is to the case and therefore would not fire the sparkplugs. Having the mags overhauled at staggered as someone suggested sounds like a good idear, I believe that Bendix magnetos that are properly maintained are good. I have seen Bendix mags go for 600 hrs that had no record of anyone ever working on then. Just make sure the AD's have be done and thay have the Red Epoxy coils. Tailspin P.S. The Arrow engine has the 1200 series magnoto and a different coil.