61 chain brake question, and plug reading

[straight6jeff]

Hello All, I just got the saw put back together, removed the muffler plate, and broke the chain in for a few minutes. This rendition of parts included a new bar, chain, drum/hub/bearing. My question is with the brake. I adjusted the idle, L and H. Idles fine with no creep, but when I engage the chain brake at idle, the engine comes to an abrupt halt. It was late last night and did not have the time to look into the brake adjustment. Could it be that the brake is too tight?

Also, with the newer ethanol fuel and low smoke oils, is taking a reading of the spark plug still valuable? After making ten cookies in a 15" pine, I shut the saw down immediately, pulled the plug, and it is light brown. With the new fuels and oils, do they still read the same? The last time I read a plug on a two stroke was when I had my 1985 Yamaha Tri-Z 250 (damn, I wish I still had that machine!)

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[romeo]

If it idles with out the chain moving but dies when you engage the brake it is probably a bad clutch bearing. Plug readings are still the same, brown is good and grey is bad.

 

[TDunk]

If it idles with out the chain moving but dies when you engage the brake it is probably a bad clutch bearing. Plug readings are still the same, brown is good and grey is bad.

+1

 

[straight6jeff]

What are the chances that the clutch bearing is bad out of the box? it is a new bearing that came with the drum.

I do have a spare bearing. I'll swap it out tonight.

 

[romeo]

What are the chances that the clutch bearing is bad out of the box? it is a new bearing that came with the drum.

I do have a spare bearing. I'll swap it out tonight.

Check the clutch for excessive end play. When you engage the brake its probably cocking the drum over far enough to one side to interfere with the clutch.

 

[straight6jeff]

Thanks for the tips. I must admit, when I assembled the clutch the other night, well, at 3am, I did not check end play.

I will check that tonight.

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[straight6jeff]

update...

Well, friday I got home and pulled things apart....turns out the clutch hub is craked. That was allowing the clutch to seat a bit too deep and hang things up.

Ordered another from Bailey's, along with an oil pump drive gear....the clutch seating too deep did not do any good for the drive gear.

So, this weekend I broke out the axe to do the ten inch trees. The axe cut great. Then, about five hours after the job was done, the axe fell out of the back of the jeep as I was cleaning things up and hit my leg....ten stitches DOH! Yup, I fogot to strap the axe to the door, and to cover the head.