Repair parts for Fairbanks Morse Magnetos used on Continental F-Series engines

The most common magneto found on Lincoln SA200s, Fairbanks Morse FMX4B16A. As I understand the story, making their own magnetos for their engines in 1918. Today, the original company is gone. They have ceased producing OEM Fairbanks-Morse parts. When I started in this industry in the early 1970s, these magnetos seemed to be much more dependable than they are today. I've seen a set of points in a SA200 Magneto for the last ten years, not today.

Customers who run the F-Series Continental engines seem to think that this is the high point of ignition technology. I'm often asked if it works. Don't change it. The only reason these welders have a magneto is that when they came out in 1939, they didn't have an electrical system, and you hand-cranked them just like a tractor.

All the new replacement parts for the Fairbanks-Morse magnetos are being produced somewhere overseas; if I were a betting man, I would say China. Anything goes wrong in China, and you're out of business.

If you're set on keeping your magneto ignition, I highly recommend the following.

1. Teach yourself or have somebody teach you how to change the points, condenser, and the fiber gear in your Magneto.

2. Learn how to time the magneto on your SA200 because trying to work on it on the machine is a giant pain in the ass. Magneto Timing web page is a good place to start. I would suggest you print it out in color and study it.

To view our web page , click here.

3. In your truck, keep a complete spare part kit, including a spare fiber gear and a new magneto coil. I have to invest some pesos, but this is the price you're going to have to pay to keep that magneto going.

The list of parts below: we have many, many of them and have access to other parts at this time. But they are getting harder and harder to come by. If you need a part, please use the Fairbanks number listed in the image and call us for price and availability.