There is a known Bendix (S4LN-20) issue on O-360s with certain aluminum
props. Lycoming even made a mag isolator to rubber damp the right mag
from the engine drive gear. This is on some Piper singles. In 1100
hours on my RV6A with an O-360 and Sensenich prop I have had 3 timing
gear faults, 1 Capacitor fault, 1 Mag shaft breaking in half, and
decided to throw in the towel when the mounting ear started to crack. I
had about 200 Hours operation per fix. Believe it or not , the mag
shaft breaking in half still left the unit operational. Can't say that
about the capacitor or timing gears.
The Left Mag has never failed working flawlessly for all 1100 hours.
I would like to know if anyone else has seen this on their RVs and an
FYI to those planning to use this mag with their sensenich prop. I
don't know if there is an issue with my engine or just the same problem
Piper once had.
I now have a lightspeed on the right side with about 70 Hours. It works
about the same as the Bendix Mag on the left.
Rgds
Tom Olson
----- Original Message -----
From: Charles Heathco
To: rv-list
Sent: Monday, September 01, 2008 8:25 AM
Subject: Slick mags/bendix mags
My 2 cents. I had bendix on my cherokee, rt failed while truning base,
scared the crap out of me initially, have had 2 bendix go bad on my
initial engine on my 6A, one which had only 20 hrs on overhaul.
Relitivly low time. I have slicks on the relativly low time used engine
I installed 3 anuals back, nary a peap of trouble. timing spot on all
trhee anualls. Guess what my favorite brand is? Charlie Heathco
