top of page
Click the subject to read more
How to install a water pump on your Lincoln Electric SA200 Pipeliner
Later pump replacement is to be expected on the Lincoln SA200 Continental F-series engines. I have personally seen them run for forty years without failure. How to Replace the Water Pump on a Lincoln® SA-200® Pipeliner ®(F-162 or F-163) Engine- AND NOT LOSE YOUR MIND Your replacement pump should have the pulley already installed. If you need to remove and reinstall your pulley, refer to this link for instructions. The new pump should come with the back plate and the bypass
Larry Gruner
4 min read
Buying a used SA 200: What to look for, and walk away from.
What to look for, what to walk away from, as fast as you can, and what to consider buying to rebuild or put into service. New paint is not rebuilt! It's on the inside that counts. The rules of searching for an SA-200 Pipeliner Understand that it is the "Age of Incompetence." Nobody seems to know anything about anything. Do not take any statement from a seller on face value, what do they really know about the machine? ------------------Myths: ----------------- a. The whole mac
Larry Gruner
4 min read
Weldmart Remanufactured Continental F-163 engines for Lincoln and Miller welders and other applications.
We do not rebuild Continental F-series engines. When you restore something, you only have to replace worn parts. When you remanufacture a machine, you restore it to its original specifications. If you do your job correctly, you will improve the original machine. New improved machine techniques, materials, and new oils all lead to longer life. The old F-163 has been a mystery to me. I have seen 60-year-old engines slobbering oil and carboned up (you should have 115 to 125 poun
Larry Gruner
3 min read
Lincoln DC rewound armatures.
Lincoln Electric has obsoleted all its DC exciter armatures. They have been manufacturing these armatures since the 1930s. If you have an SA200 or any machine that has a DC armature, you have a problem. The people who used to rewind these are fast disappearing. It is a time-consuming process that must be done manually. This is a short list of the steps we take to rewind the armature. Please note that all the steps are done “by hand”; we have no automated machines, except for
Larry Gruner
2 min read
You Need a Spool Gun
One of the most misunderstood tools in the welding industry is the “spool gun”. There are applications where you need to make a weld, but you cannot use a mig gun, and you don’t or can’t use “stick” welding. I equate it to a “Crescent” or adjustable wrench. It will not do everything, but what it does, it does very well. You can weld with any alloy that can be obtained on a standard 4” spool. If you need an alloy not available on a 4” spool, you can buy it in larger spo
Larry Gruner
4 min read
Replace your Obsolete Linde/L-TEC Esab ST-23A Spool Gun with a tool that will make you money for the rest of your life!
If you own a Linde/ L-Tec/ Esab ST-23A spool gun and it has given you years of dependable service, good for you. I hate to tell you, but Victor Technologes has obsoleted it. They have turned their back on this product, and you're now on your own. Consumables and repair parts are disappearing at a rapid rate. We suggest you use it till it finally dies. The answer to your problem is the AEC200 Esab direct plug-n-weld spool gun. 1. The original spool gun was initial
Larry Gruner
2 min read
Affordable Spool guns for Snap-On Muscle mig systems and Systematics
The one tool that will generate profits faster than any other! Systematics/Snap-on single-phase MIG machines have been manufactured since the late 1980s—they are straightforward and dependable. It's what I call an analog machine; you set it and weld. They have one easily repairable PC board that controls the speed. Snap-On MHG5B, SPOOL GUN: $2180.00 Price listed on Snap-on Website 9/2-2025 They offer a spool gun for aluminum welding only. If you're interested, we can o
Larry Gruner
2 min read
Spool Guns Upgrade guns for Miller 14 Pin Power Supplies, That Miller doesn't want you to know about.
The Profax AEC Miller-style spool gun is the answer to your spool gun needs. The gun features an internal, repairable mechanical gas valve located in the handle. The positive welding power leads through the opening on the front of the machine, or we will attach the proper welding lead plug for your power supply. Just let us know. The gas hose comes with a standard brass fitting that fits most standard regulators/flowmeters. Suppose you own a Miller, Compac, or an older Therm
Larry Gruner
2 min read
Millermatic 35 Retrofit Mig Gun update kit.
If you have a Milleratic 35, hang onto it; you can keep it the rest of your life! A mig machine that will last a lifetime!\ The...
Larry Gruner
1 min read
Weldmart Upgrade Idler System for the Lincoln Classic 2.
Whenever I am asked my opinion on what used diesel welder to look for, there is only one machine I feel comfortable recommending., The Lincoln Classic 2 with a Deutz diesel. Based on my experience, it is the most reliable and simplest diesel welder ever manufactured. I recently told a customer that if he found a used one for $ 5,000. And invested another $10,000.00 in it, he would be money ahead. Never confuse dollars vs. Value. Think about it: What new diesel can you purchas
Larry Gruner
1 min read
#Weldmart Ezzie Idler Upgrade System for Lincoln SA200 with Continental F Series engines.
The original SA200-F162 had the second-generation Lincoln vacuum idler (R-57). As shown in the image on the right. Starting with code numbers 3417 through 7242, these were manufactured with the R-57 idler. Starting with code numbers XXXXX, Lincoln Electric produced its first "PC board idler" system. This was a significant improvement because it allowed the machine to (idle up) when auxiliary power is needed. Diagram of Lincoln SA200 aux. power system The Lincoln system
Larry Gruner
2 min read
Why must you keep your Lincoln SA200/SA250/SA250 diesel?
Why should you keep your Lincoln SA welder The Lincoln SA200, SA250 F163, and the Lincoln SA250 3.152 They are the only engine-driven welders that can be maintained and repaired. The engines can be remanufactured and updated. Even though Lincoln is obsoleting many of the original replacement parts for the SA-200, the aftermarket has come to your rescue with replacement items. The best ones are far superior to OEM. Always check the warranty on everything you buy—no warranty;
Larry Gruner
2 min read
The machine will run a grinder, but No Weld. Here is what you do.
Information you can use today to troubleshoot your SA200 pipeliner, in the field, yourself. You will need an ohm meter to check the resistance of the shunt coils. What to check first! Try switching your remote control "Off" for the machine. If that resolves the issue, your remote is likely the source of the problem. Check your fine current control, then the rheostat next. On the right-hand side of the control panel. Sometimes, a wire will break; sometime
Larry Gruner
3 min read
Is your Lincoln SA-200 not running a grinder?
The image on the left is the front of a Sa-200 welder with a DC exciter. It is a two-KW DC generator (it's a generator because it has two brushes). The design goes back to the late 1930s. It is simple and very reliable. What to Focus on F irst 1. Remove the dust cover, clean out any debris. Does anything look loose or burnt? 2. Check the brushes; they should be at least 1/4" long and have a smooth wear pattern, no chips or scratches. 3
Larry Gruner
2 min read
Distributor Ignitions the F Series Continental L head Engines
The original Continental F-series engine came on the market in the late 1920s. These include the Engine Models F124, F135, F140, used in...
Larry Gruner
1 min read
SA200 Lincoln Welder: WHAT TO DO IF YOUR ENGINE WON'T START.
“I am, as I've said, merely competent. But in an age of incompetence, that makes me extraordinary: Billy Joel ...
Larry Gruner
3 min read
You can Mig Weld Aluminum with a CC (Stick Power Supply)
To place an order or talk to a real live person who can help you right now, please call us; 281-432-0250 We are busy; customers are calling us from all over the world (I just received a message from someone in Pakistan). We have an answering service (a real person, I hope). Please leave us a phone number and email address. We will do our best to respond to you within one business day. If you work in the welding industry, whether in production, maintenance, in-house repair, o
Larry Gruner
2 min read
bottom of page