Lincoln SA-250-3.152 Perkins Diesel-what you need to know!
When I am asked about the Lincoln SA-250-3.125, I tell my customers. You can keep it for the rest of your life if you put $10,000. In addition, you can get an extra 40 to 50 years of life, and you have an investment!
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The Perkins 3.152 engine is no longer manufactured (thank you, EPA). It came on the market around 1959, and I have been told that they produced 3.5 million units. Any diesel mechanic can work on it; the injector pump and injectors are available new and or easy to rebuild. The welder part is an SA200 on steroids, simple and reliable.
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Lincoln has obsoleted almost everything on the machine, but the aftermarket has picked up on the slack, and our rewound armatures and coils are superior ot Lincoln OEMs.
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The major drawback of the machine is its footprint; it's larger than an SA-200, but it can be squeezed into an SA-200 frame. It's a pain in the ass, but those who have had it done seem to be very happy with the conversion.
How to make it last?
There isn't much you can do to upgrade the machine; Lincoln did an excellent job engineering it. The manufacturing of the machine is another story. This machine suffers from many of the manufacturing shortcuts, such as the SA-200—paper insulation in the coils. Obsoleted parts, little or no technical help, welcome to Lincoln Electric.
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As long as it is running and welding, keep going. Due to your engine maintenance, I recommend Rotella motor oil. It's cheap and you can find it at most Walmarts. Use name-brand filters and keep an eye out for leaks, anything that gets hot, or smells burnt. Anything that seems funky, have it checked out. This is where we can help you. Call or email us with your questions.
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