"SteveB" wrote in message
...
Another SA 200 welding machine came up yesterday. I am going to go look
at it today. If I can buy these locally, I can fix them up, and make some
decent cash. The guy said it runs and welds, but won't return to idle.

Isn't there a cotter pin in the governor linkage that allows you to run at a
high idle or return to low idle after welding depending on the position of
the pin?
Steve


Sounds relatively minor to me. I think he'd take less than $500, too, and
it's on a trailer.

Just how much knowledge is needed to do this? I have singlehandedly taken
a 327 Chevy motor out, changed freeze plugs, had the heads done, and put
it back in by myself. I can fix most anything, except carburetors and
automatic transmissions. I could learn them, but haven't so far.

I understand how engines work, and have the puzzle solving ability to take
stuff apart, figure out how it works, and how to fix it. Right now, I
have no reservations about digging into the one I just bought and either
getting it running or seeing why it won't. Gas engines are relatively
simple. They run or they don't. If they don't, there's a short list of
things it can be. Gas. Spark. Compression. Major component part
failure. And a couple of other things.

Just how complicated is this SA 200, and all its controls? They must be
pretty dependable and easy to work on to be such workhorses. The engine
is a simple flathead four banger. Radiator. Points operated spark
system. Battery with starter and voltage regulator. The other items on
the welding side I haven't fooled with a lot in my life, but think I could
figure out.

As with anything else, buying electrical testers and hooking them up is
usually a RTFM thing, and the troubleshooting chart shortens with
experience.

Just how hard is this? I know after a time there would be tests to do
when considering buying one of these machines, and would develop a
checklist. I was just wanting to bounce it off you guys and see if I'm
heading down a peaceful creek or towards the waterfalls.

Steve