Replacing Studs When Switching to P-Mags

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Are you changing your ignition system from regular mags (with impulse couplers) to P-Mags? You’ll probably find that the studs installed on your engine are WAY too long—you’ll be removing the impulse coupler spacer, and that’s about an inch thick. Fortunately, E-MAG Ignitions, (maker of P-Mags) has the right (shorter) studs available. They simply need to replace the longer ones.

Removing studs that have been in the engine for a long time can be challenging. Sometimes they’re so thoroughly stuck that double-nutting won’t work, even with heat. This is when a quality stud puller is worth its weight in gold, and you can find them online for as little as $20. Here’s the step-by-step:

Step-by-step Procedure:

  1. Remove the mag and spacer. You’ll see these long studs in the accessory case.p-mag studs
  2. Install your stud puller onto the stud.p-mag studs
  3. More leverage is good! The stud puller will self-tighten, and the stud will come loose.p-mag studs
  4. When installing new studs, be sure to apply thread sealant (we use Permatex #3 Aviation sealant), as the holes go completely through the accessory case, potentially causing oil seepage up the stud.p-mag studs
  5. Double-nut the stud and screw it in to the correct depth—measure the thickness needed for the hold-down clamps and add a little extra.p-mag studs

You should now have studs of the correct length for your new electronic ignition!p-mag studs

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Paul Dye
Paul Dye, KITPLANES® Editor at Large, retired as a Lead Flight Director for NASA’s Human Space Flight program, with 50 years of aerospace experience on everything from Cubs to the Space Shuttle. An avid homebuilder, he began flying and working on airplanes as a teen and has experience with a wide range of construction techniques and materials. He flies an RV-8 and SubSonex jet that he built, an RV-3 that he built with his pilot wife, as well as a Dream Tundra and an electric Xenos motorglider they completed. Currently, they are building an F1 Rocket. A commercially licensed pilot, he has logged over 6000 hours in many different types of aircraft and is an A&P, FAA DAR, EAA Tech Counselor and Flight Advisor; he was formerly a member of the Homebuilder’s Council. He consults and collaborates in aerospace operations and flight-testing projects across the country.

1 COMMENT

  1. A precautionary quote

    Every twenty-minute job is one broken-bolt away-from becoming a three-day ordeal.” –unknown [on a sign]

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