Piston Ignition Products - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Contact Phone Numbers
The phone number for technical support of piston ignition products is 904-739-4081. We try to respond to calls within 24 business hours. You can also submit your questions to: pistonhelp@unisonindustries.com.
For information regarding Pricing, Availability, Rebates or Order Status, please refer these questions to one of Unison's authorized distributors.
General Information
Magneto Cores
The 4000 and 4100 series mags are not accepted as cores.
Rebate Program
When purchasing a Unison ignition kit, if you turn in a competitor's magneto and harness for core credit, you will receive an additional $150 rebate from Unison. Your distributor should provide you with form L-1234-B, to apply for the Rebate. You (the customer) must put your name and address on the back of the form in the spot marked "rebate customer." This form then should be attached to the core magnetos for return to Unison. This process can take 60 days, so please be patient. If you would like to find the status of your rebate, you can call 815-965-4700 ext. 120, or 904-739-4049.
P-lead wire
Unison does not sell P-lead wire, but you can find it here: http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/elpages/shieldwire.php
P-lead connector: "My Bendix mag had a different type."
The Bendix P-lead connector is a plug in type that is soldered on, with a screw cap. Just cut the end off, strip off the shielding far enough to crimp on a #10 stud ring connector. The shielding should be connected to the GND screw just above the P-lead terminal on the Slick magneto. If the shielding touches the connector, it may ground the magneto causing it not to operate or worse, operate intermittently which is difficult to troubleshoot.
Eisman Mag Conversion
Eisman made a special version of their mag with their own drive gear. The rotor shaft hole in the gear was about 7/8" and used a special bushing nut to hold on the gear. Operators must use the continental part number 36066 gear. These gears are found on about 15% of the Eisman mags, and particularly on Ercoupe aircraft
Q. "What kind of oil do I use to lubricate the internal parts of the magneto?"
A. Use clean, 50 weight aviation engine oil to lubricate the internal components of the magneto.
E-Gap
Electricity is produced by moving a magnetic field through a coil. The E gap refers to the rotational position of the magneto rotor when the absolute most magnetism is passing through the coil, thus producing the most electricity.
Hard Starting
Internal magneto point timing is the leading cause of difficult starting. If the internal timing of the magneto advances more than 5 degrees, the output voltage of the magneto drops significantly. The problem is easy to fix, use the T-150 e-gap tool, and re adjust the points. Do not set the points based on maximum point gap but set the points to open exactly at e-gap using the T-150.
Scheduled Maintenance
Q. "Magneto 100 Hour Inspection, what is required?"
A. See Unison publication L1363 for details.
- Adjust engine timing.
- Inspect external wiring connections including harness, p-lead, retard breaker wire if installed, and tachometer wire if installed.
- On pressurized magnetos, inspect turbo filter, inlet nozzle, orifice vent, and pressure check.
Q. "Magneto 500 Hour Inspection, what is required?"
A. See Unison publication L1363 for details.
- Partial disassembly and internal inspection.
- New contact points are required, other components do not need to be replaced unless they do not meet the inspection requirements listed in L-1363 "Magneto Maintenance and Overhaul Manual"
Q. "Magneto Overhaul, what is required?"
A. See Unison publication L1363 for details.
Complete disassembly and replacement of:
Condenser, bearings, bearing cap assembly, coil, impulse coupling, oil seal, points, rotor gear, and distributor block and gear.
Q. "Pressurized Magneto, how do I convert my non-pressurized magneto to a pressurized magneto?"
A. Short answer: It's not legal. Field modification of Slick magnetos is not authorized
Q. "How do I convert my left rotation mag to a right rotation mag."
A. Short answer: It's not legal. Field modification of Slick magnetos is not authorized.
Engine Specific Information
A-65 Continental
All A-65 engines except the -9 use the K4334 kit. It consists of 2 each 4333 impulse coupled mags, 2 each harnesses , 8 each UREM40E spark plugs, and 2 each drive gears. No spacers are required.
IO-360-L2A
Uses two 4371 magnetos, and the M4004 harness.
O-320-E2D Ignition Harness
The M4001 is the correct harness for the -E2D engine. The M2363 harness is obsolete and replaced by the M4001 15 years ago. The M4004 will also fit your engine, but the wire routing is a mirror image to the M4001, i.e., the #1 left mag lead on the M4001 routes to the top right position while on the M4004 the #1 lead on the left mag routes to the bottom right position, and so on. The M4001 was used on engines that left the factory with Slick magnetos, and the M4004 is used on Slick mags that retrofit engines originally equipped with Bendix mags.
E Series Continentals
These engines can use either the 6377 or 6379 magneto. The only difference is the length of the drive ears on the impulse coupling. The 6377 drive ears are .2 inches long, and the 6379 drive ears are .41 inches long. The 6377 is used with old style drive couplings and the 6379 is used with the newer style drive couplings. Measure the depth of the recesses on your drive coupling before ordering the correct mag.
C Series Continentals
C series Continental engines except the C85-8 use 4301 mags without modification. There is an odd ball. Eisman made a special version of their mag with their own drive gear. The rotor shaft hole in the gear was about 7/8" and used a special bushing nut to hold on the gear. Operators must use the continental part number 36066 gear. These gears are found on about 15% of the Eisman mags, and particularly on Ercoupe aircraft
LASAR Electronic Ignition Information
Q. "What are the core charges on LASAR?"
A. They are $250 for the controller, $150 for each mag, no rebate program on LASAR for turning in competitor magnetos as cores. To get the controller core charge back, a Log Book entry must be submitted to the distributor that you purchased the LASAR from.
Standard Magneto Information
6310 vs.6380 vs. 6382
The 6310 is a right turning, impulse coupled, 6 cylinder mag.
The 6380 is the same as a 6310 but with a smaller vent hole opening for a tachometer pickup.
The 6382 is the same as a 6310, but made for use with old style individual ignition leads.
Q. "Why do some pressurized magnetos not last as long as standard magnetos?"
A. This problem is most common in Piper Seneca aircraft, and is due to use of a tachometer sensor with too small of a vent hole. The only way to fix this problem is to replace the sensor with a "mod 1" sensor from Piper. Mag failure can be delayed by religiously changing the desiccant filter on the magneto pressure line every 25 hours or when the aircraft is flown in the rain. The part number is M3155, and can be purchased from RAM Aircraft.
SlickSTART Ignition Booster Information
See Unison publications SL2-93E and L1492C or latest available revisions. containing the answern.
Spark Plugs
(Information to come.)
Manuals and Documentation
For SLICK service documentation:
http://www.unisonindustries.com/media/literatureandsubscriptions.html
or call: 904-739-4043
Ignition Harness
O-320-E2D Ignition Harness
The M4001 is the correct harness for the -E2D engine. The M2363 harness is obsolete and replaced by the M4001 15 years ago. The M4004 will also fit your engine, but the wire routing is a mirror image to the M4001, i.e., the #1 left mag lead on the M4001 routes to the top right position while on the M4004 the #1 lead on the left mag routes to the bottom right position, and so on. The M4001 was used on engines that left the factory with Slick magnetos, and the M4004 is used on Slick mags that retrofit engines originally equipped with Bendix mags.
Harness Nut Torque
Harness cap to magneto:
Slick Magneto: 18-20 in. lb.
400-600 series Slick Magneto: 120-144 in.lb.
Bendix magneto: 30-35 in. lb.
Bendix Pressurized Magneto: 40-45 in. lb.
Bendix Dual Standard: 30-35 in. lb.
Bendix Dual Pressurized: 40-45 in. lb.
Harness to Spark Plug:
5/8 -24 thread is 80-90 in.lb.
3/4 -20 thread is 110-120 in.lb.
Q. Can individual ignition leads be purchased to replace damaged leads?
A. Yes, for 5/8 nut leads use:
M6202-35
M6202-44
M6202-60
M6202-72
For 3/4 nut leads use:
M7502-35
M7502-44
M7502-60
M7502-72
Q. What tools do I need to assemble the individual leads to the harness cap?
A. The T200 tool kit contains all of the tools needed for this task.
Q. Can ignition harness wire be purchased in bulk?
A. Yes, a 50' roll of wire can be purchased as part number M1767-50. Contact an authorized Unison distributor for pricing.
Click here for a list of authorized distributors in North America.
Click here for a list of authorized international distributors.
Q. Is there an all-inclusive kit that I can buy if I want to start repairing ignition harnesses?
A. Yes, the M2368 includes hardware, wire, and tooling to repair all Slick harnesses.
Q. Is there a clamp kit for securing ignition harness wires inside the cowling?
A. Yes, the M2606 universal clamp kit.
Legal Terms associated with these FAQs:
Warranty Disclaimer: This web site and all of the information it contains are provided 'as is' without warranty of any kind, whether express or implied. All implied warranties, including, without limitation, implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement, are hereby expressly disclaimed. While every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this FAQ list compilation, Unison Industries assume no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein. The accuracy and applicability of the above FAQs have not been verified for any assembly, component, or part
not manufactured by Unison Industries.
Limitation of Liability: WE SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THIS INFORMATION, EVEN IF WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
Use of Proper Documentation: The proper Unison Technical Publication should always be used for performing any installation, maintenance, replacement, adjustment, inspection, or overhaul of any assembly, component, or part manufactured by Unison Industries.
When performing installation, maintenance, replacement, adjustment, inspection, or overhaul of any Unison assembly, component, or part, it is imperative that the latest revision of the appropriate manual or product support document be referenced.
Use of non-approved repair parts may result in unit malfunction and/or affect equipment safety, and may be considered a violation of FAA repair guidelines.
