SA-200 video
 

On Sat, 02 Apr 2011 14:09:24 -0500, Jon Elson
wrote:

Ignoramus6732 wrote:

It welds nicely

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHsjfhoP1cc

It is kind of amazing. We just had a toy Chinese tank break after just
30 minutes of playing. And here's this 25 year old USA made welder,
running great, with all parts available etc.

i
Ummm, it sounded like it went down to one cylinder when you started welding,
and the other cyl. would occasionally fire once in a while. At least,
that's what the video sounded like.

You really can't compare industrial tools with kid's toys. On the other
hand, it IS nice to be able to get parts for things. Modern, Harbor
Freight stuff is REALLY unlikely to have parts available next year, no less
25 years later.

Jon
Since you have had it running now, I WOULD do a compression test to
be sure you do not have a leaking or sticky valve. Then I would just
go and buy a good set of plug wires and spark plugs and change them -
cap and rotor too to be on the safe side. A bottle of MMO or Sea Foam
in the oil to make sure the rings are not sticking and the valve
stems are not gunked up will likely also make a difference in how it
runs. Get it warmed up - put a few rods through it to really make it
work, then change the oil and it should be as good as it gets.

If it was mine I'd check the valve clearances too, but that is a bit
more involved than you really want to get, I think.