SA200, what it worth?

Shield Arc · Dec 15, 2013

muddstopper said:
I can part it out on ebay.

Before you do that, do your homework! I think you'd be floored at the price for SA-200 parts. A buddy came over a few weeks ago, wanted a radiator cap cover. See what they sell for here at Stumpfs? :shocked:

STUMPF WELDING SUPPLIES INC. SINCE 1952

muddstopper · Dec 15, 2013

I have been checking prices everywhere. To someone wanting to restore a machine, OEM parts seem to be worth their weight in gold. Reman and new parts aint cheap. Entire running machines aint worth squat, but break them down piece by piece and the story changes.

I really dont know what I am going to do with this machine. I tried turning the engine again this morning but it hasnt even wiggled, yet. Comptemplateing dropping pan and doing an inframe rebuild. Just rings and bearings. Of course once the head is pulled it might require much more work. Lots of unknowns and no windows to look inside. I am trying to figure out a way to put some leverage on turning the engine without removeing genset. Dont think the front crankbolt will stand serious torque. Might remove bottom pulley and make a sleeve to slip over crank stub and keyway, but going to give penetrate a little more time to work first. Got any good ideals to turn it over without dismanteling first.

Arc weld · Dec 15, 2013

"Entire running machines aint worth squat, but break them down piece by piece and the story changes."

Running SA200's will bring good money. There were thousands and thousands of them made so trying to sell used parts off them might not work out so good. They weren't the most popular portable welder without a good reason. I think trying to find out why the engine is stuck would be the first step. If you take the pan off and/or the head and find a big problem, then you can decide the next step. Also try and check out the generator end for signs of mice eating the wires or something.

muddstopper · Dec 15, 2013

I have been looking at used machine pricing. I can find similar sa200's, running, for $2500 all daylong, restored ones for $4500. Newer, 300-400 amp machines for $5-6000 working. A good engine rebuild could cost close to $2 grand with me doing the work, or $400 for just a standard overhual, just depends on whats needed. It not a matter to me how bad or great the machine is or isnt. Its the bottom line. Should I spend $2-$3000 dollars to recondition this machine. I guess if I was welding pipe it might make sense, but I am not, and most likely wont be. On the other hand, if I can get it unstuck and working, I have a $2500 machine, with very little in it and it would be worth it to me to have around. I dont plan on parting it out just yet. I have only started trying to get it unstuck, but if worse comes to worse, I'll part it out before I spend several thousand $$ rebuilding it. I traded a ac/dc tombstone that I have owned for 30 years for the SA200, I'll dont mind spending a little more on it if thats all it takes. It might take a few wks of fiddleing to get it unstuck, by then I will know all I need to know to make a decision whether to fix or part it out.

Shield Arc · Dec 16, 2013

Here is a 1972 octagon barrel SA-200 for sale. The more you think you know about these machines, the more you find out you know nothing! :laughing:

Sa 200 for sale

muddstopper · Dec 16, 2013

Kind of the point I was trying to make. Why should i spend several thousand dollar on a machine when i can purchase one ready to go for the same money. I do have a line on a machine in Ky that has a good motor, but someone cut/stole the wires coming out of the genset. They where asking $2500 for the machine, in non working condition. They advertised it as a 50, 60 older machine, but numbers/pic's point to early 72 with oct barrel. I pointed out to them it wasnt what they thought it was and now they seem ready to nego lower price. We havent made a deal, but they feel the running engine is work $500. I might offer that for the entire machine, but i would have to see, hear it run first.

Shield Arc · Dec 16, 2013

The SA-200s are great machines! But you have to realize they are very limited. Basically only do one thing, and that is weld. A buddy of mine has a Lincoln 305-G, it welds every bit as nice as my SA-200's, but the 305 has arc force! Which is really, really nice, plus it has 10,000-watts of auxiliary AC power. And CV! I'm sure it won't take 8, 10, 12-hours a day of welding for 20-years, like a SA-200 will, but not everybody needs a welder like that.

muddstopper · Dec 16, 2013

Those limitations are what has me not wanting to invest a bunch in this machine. 99.9% of what ever welding I am going to do I can do inside and I got by with the old tombstone for 30 years. I keep prying on the flywheel of this old machine hoping it will move a little bit, I think it did once, but not sure if it did or just wishful thinking. Flywheel is so far from housing, its hard to get good leverage with a prybar. Did a little measureing of the starter bolt pattern, seems its the same as a A-mount hydraulic pump. Thinking about bolting on a pump housing and welding a old bendix to the shaft and make a lever for the other end to pull on. Something will come, bleed or blister.

The kentucky find was a bust. Guy Had a $1500 offer and thats more than I am willing to pay for a parts machine.

muddstopper · Dec 16, 2013

Well the plot thickens. Doing a little degreaseing on the engine and found a lincoln id tag. Numbers where code 4276 and I guess another number that must be a serial number, 139292. Are the code numbers on the engine supposed to match the code numbers on the faceplate and generator?? If so this would suggest the motor has been swaped at some time or other. If numbers dont match, could they mean something else? And What?

Another interesting thing I have came across is in hp ratings. While the continental engine is supposed to turn 1550 rpms under load, it seems the little engine will make a lot more hp at higher rpms, up to 72hp at 3000rpms. This begs the question, or a bunch of questions depending on the answers. Am I wrong in assuming that the f163 engine might could be used as a power source, for lets say a hydraulic system, requireing a bunch more hp/rpms than the SA200 needed. If so, is it possible to adjust the govners to allow a higher rpm, yet still return to idle under noload situations. What other special modifications might be needed to rev the f163 engine up. I can only guess that I could unhook the gov and throttle controls and attach a throttle cable if needed, but would like to keep the automatic throttle setup if it could be made to work. Then also comes the question of engine reliability if used for other than intended purpose.

I ask because its starting to look like I am going to have to tear the engine down to get it unstuck. While I aint willing to go thru a engine rebuild cost just to have a engine driven welder, I am interested in a power source for a hydraulic project I am in the middle of. If the f163 engine will provide the power I need, I am more inclined to do a complete overhual of the engine and let the rest of the welder set until I can find all the parts needed to do a restoration.