Mags: Bendix or Slick?

[Lood]

I'm doing a complete firewall forward overhaul on my Mooney. I've had different opinions regarding the mags. Some guys swear by the old Bendix mags while others say that I must replace them with Slick mags. I'm not really interested in wheter the Slicks are cheaper to work on or fix vs the Bendix mags, I just want the better mag in the end.

So, which is it? Do I have my Bendix mags overhauled or do I exchange them for a complete new Slick system and why?

[Shadrach]

Both are going to be very reliable. I prefer the Bendix units personally, as they are more field friendly in IMO. The Slicks are field repairable, but the Bendix mags are infinitely buildable in the field.  Price the new Slicks and see how they compare to OHing your existing Bendix.  It would likely take a large price delta to convince me to switch.

Checkout UND's virtual slick.

http://www.undaerospace.com/cbt_files/virtualengine/Magneto/Virtual%20Engine.swf

[MooneyMitch]

With our various Mooney's [3 to be exact] over the years, we have had great service from both Bendix and Slick magnetos.  500 hr. inspection costs are pretty much identical for either one. 

Aero Accessories from Van Nuys, CA quotes approx. $325 p/magneto for the Slick 500 hr. inspection.  I don't know the O/H cost, but based on the 500 hr. cost, I would suspect the O/H cost would be similar between both Bendix and Slick/Champion. 

Just offering up some more magneto info. for ya.

Have a happy Mooney flying weekend!!

[Shadrach]

Quote: Mitch

With our various Mooney's [3 to be exact] over the years, we have had great service from both Bendix and Slick magnetos.  500 hr. inspection costs are pretty much identical for either one. 

Aero Accessories from Van Nuys, CA quotes approx. $325 p/magneto for the Slick 500 hr. inspection.  I don't know the O/H cost, but based on the 500 hr. cost, I would suspect the O/H cost would be similar between both Bendix and Slick/Champion. 

Just offering up some more magneto info. for ya.

Have a happy Mooney flying weekend!!

[jetdriven]

I have a friend with a Warrior that has slick mags and he has to pay 1000$ every 700 hours or so for a new one. That gets expensive.

[John Pleisse]

I have found the Slicks to be a better value and basically disposable after 500 hrs. The Bendix is the better mag, more worthy of field repair and perhaps longer service life. I believe one should consider the cost of points, couplings and repair versus exchange in either replacement or initial purchase.

 

[MooneyMitch]

Wow, that's really something.  I gave the 500 hr. information based on my phone call discussion this morning with Aero in Van Nuys.  They did my TCM's last year and I do trust them and their service and their information. This shop is a top magneto shop in California.

I did ask about the idea that Slicks should be discarded and new ones purchased instead.  The owner says that's an old myth that is no longer true.  He did not say that Slick parts are more expensive.  Give them a call as they are most helpful and very friendly with questions you may have.  818 785-2821.

It is quite possible I don't have the whole story, but do call Aero Accessories for more clarification.

[jetdriven]

This guy doesnt like them either:  http://www.fdatasystems.com/chuck/flight.html

[Shadrach]

Quote: Mitch

Wow, that's really something.  I gave the 500 hr. information based on my phone call discussion this morning with Aero in Van Nuys.  They did my TCM's last year and I do trust them and their service and their information. This shop is a top magneto shop in California.

I did ask about the idea that Slicks should be discarded and new ones purchased instead.  The owner says that's an old myth that is no longer true.  He did not say that Slick parts are more expensive.  Give them a call as they are most helpful and very friendly with questions you may have.  818 785-2821.

It is quite possible I don't have the whole story, but do call Aero Accessories for more clarification.

[MooneyMitch]

I misspoke.  You are correct, it is not a myth.  However, it appears that the throw away situation no longer exists as the parts are quite available and no more expensive than the Bendix for the 500 hr. inspection. 

And yes, your information regarding the Slick O/H is correct.

[kortopates]

I agree with Mitch entirely as another very satisified customer of Aero Accessories. Note Mitch said "that is no longer true" as you are both actually saying the same thing because the throw away 4000 series are no longer used. Slicks are entirely rebuildable - but is it affordable to do so? I can tell you as an A&P just working on my own plane, its not affordable for me to replace all the parts that Aero Accessories does at the retail prices that I would pay individually at Spruce, but Aero Accessories that specializes in this work is obviously getting much better prices than I can and can do the 500 hr inspection per Unison L-1363D for a fee that this less than the parts cost would be for me. With proper 100/500 hr maintenance the Slick will last the engine. Overhaul is required when you overhaul your engine and then a new set is probably your best bet and therein the Bendix mags are more overhaulable while the Slick are more afforable to replace with kit prices that include the 2 new mags, wires and set of plugs.

Mike Bush tries to make the point in his magneto webinar, that using a good Magneto shop to do your magneto inspections/repairs provide much greater value than doing field repairs by your MSC or A&P where you'll end up paying about the equiavlent cost of a good 500 hr inspection by a Mag shop to have your MSC or A&P to field repair your mags replacing only a couple parts. Aero Accessories provides their full service in 24 hours of shop time, so its not a big time expense either.  

[Shadrach]

Mitch, A 500hr inspection is not an overhaul... It's an IRAN.  The Mags on my IO 360 are the original that cam on the plane in 1967. The mags were torn down and OH'd when the engine was majored. This would not have been an option with Slicks. No one ever said that you could not repair a Slick. The question becomes is it cheaper to repair a bendix or slick...  The answer - it depends...  The question is also is it cheaper to buy an OH'd Bendix or a new Slick. The part list below shows that OH'ing a slick is a non starter as a new slick can be had for $750 to $1000. Reman'd Bendix's are in the same neighborhood or cheaper.

A complet overhaul Kit for a Bendix 200 series ranges from $370 to $420 depending on serial number. Labor is probably about 4 hrs or less for someone who knows what they are doing. Most mag shops charge a $300-350 flat rate for labor. 

"Deluxe Repair Kits contain the parts needed for major repair such as a magneto overhaul."

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/eppages/bendixmagrepair5.php

Just buying the distributor block and coil for a slick 4300 will run well over $500. Slick does not sell a delux repair or OH kit. Perhaps your guys can get special pricing... Take a look at this price list and compare and contrast. If you still think they're as cheap to repair, then I wish you the best.

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/pdf/2011Individual/Cat11270.pdf

[jetdriven]

So both need 500 hour inspections. What is the cost for Bendix and Slick respectively?  I hear that Slick parts are so expensive, that half the time you end up having to buy a new Slick anyways.

[N601RX]

Slick also sells a kit with both mags, harnesses, and 8 plugs that will save you a couple of hundred off the indivudal prices.  The kit is available in regular and fine wire.  Slick also offers a good rebate if you can find an old set of bendix mags to mail in.

[Shadrach]

Quote: jetdriven

So both need 500 hour inspections. What is the cost for Bendix and Slick respectively?  I hear that Slick parts are so expensive, that half the time you end up having to buy a new Slick anyways.

[jetdriven]

Ross: another way your F is better than the J. Ours has the dual mag.  The onyl thing that scares me more than messing with that thing is 1000cc sportbikes.  I am not sure which is more dangerous

[Shadrach]

Quote: jetdriven

Ross: another way your F is better than the J. Ours has the dual mag.  The onyl thing that scares me more than messing with that thing is 1000cc sportbikes.  I am not sure which is more dangerous

[John Pleisse]

I have the seperate mag 212 Trophy conversion on my J. Slicks came with it from the factory. Just doing points and retiming can get above $200-$300 per side. I get near flwaless service until the 450 hour mark, then I watch them like a hawk.

[GeorgePerry]

Don't forget the electroair option.  STC's for all 4 cyclinder Mooneys...

http://www.electroair.net/index.php/products/stc/ignition-kit.html

[fantom]

Doesn't the remaining single Bendix mag still require 500 hr (or less) IRAN's?

[GeorgePerry]

Yes...but at least you're only doing 500 hour inspections on one mag vs two.  Also IMHO, electronic ignition is the way to go.  Very reliable (at least as good as mag, likely better) and it allows for some actual adjustment in ignition timing...kinda like all of our modern cars.  Anyway all that info is in the link and video...enjoy.

[NotarPilot]

Quote: GeorgePerry

Yes...but at least you're only doing 500 hour inspections on one mag vs two.  Also IMHO, electronic ignition is the way to go.  Very reliable (at least as good as mag, likely better) and it allows for some actual adjustment in ignition timing...kinda like all of our modern cars.  Anyway all that info is in the link and video...enjoy.