Any tips installing old 028 sprocket upgrade

[B_Turner]

A buddy of mine has a maybe 25 year old 028 that was his dad's. It's old and heavy, but has meaning to him. No chain brake, if it matters.

His sprocket is shot, and when he went to dealer they told him he needs to go to a floating rim kit (.325 sprocket) cause they don't make the parts anymore.

They sold him an upgrade kit that includes the new drum assembly and everything including a new case cover to go around the clutch area to accomodate the bigger new assembly.

Any tips to know about in swapping out the old for the new? Simply a matter up unscrewing the case screws and swapping drum and all that?

I've included a pic of the saw and a pdf of the parts. The new kit includes everything that is circled.

 

[cbfarmall]

Yep, should be as easy as it looks. Inboard clutches are a piece of cake, since you don't have to unscrew the clutch pack. And you already have a picture showing the order in which the parts install. Just put a little grease on the drum bearing.

From what I can see of the saw in your photo, it looks pretty nice.

Chris B.

 

[B_Turner]

Yep, should be as easy as it looks. Inboard clutches are a piece of cake, since you don't have to unscrew the clutch pack. And you already have a picture showing the order in which the parts install. Just put a little grease on the drum bearing.

From what I can see of the saw in your photo, it looks pretty nice.

Chris B.

Thanks. It is actually in amazing shape considering it is not only really old, but also has cut alot of wood.

The buddy inherited the saw with a gas can with 15 year old gas which he ran for awhile (he didn't tell me about that until later). He wondered why the saw wasn't running well. So he now has a bit of money into the saw, getting the carb cleaned and rebuilt. But you know how it is, you have to keep your dad's old saw even if you get newer ones.

 

[Booshcat]

Do you remember what the kit cost? I've got an 028WB that I think has the same setup. I think mine may be even older, not sure when they started/stopped mfg. those, but I don't think mine has that band on it (that looks like a brake).

 

[B_Turner]

Do you remember what the kit cost? I've got an 028WB that I think has the same setup. I think mine may be even older, not sure when they started/stopped mfg. those, but I don't think mine has that band on it (that looks like a brake).

It cost about $50. By band, are you referring to 21 in the pdf?

I haven't had his saw apart (it was his photo I sent), but he did have the saw worked on and was told it never had with a brake. It's got the big lever, and up to that point I didn't know some old stihls came with the big external lever and no brake.

 

[Booshcat]

Yeah thats the one...it sure looks like some kind of spring loaded tension band.
My saw also has the kickback handle only, it is not connected to anything internal on the saw.
Glad to hear that kit is relatively cheap, I may need a new sprocket at some point. My 028 is my favorite, it runs beautiful, it's really like new for it's age, and best of all I got it for $5 (case and some wedges included) at a yard sale.
New gas and a carb adjust was all she needed.

 

[Sprig]

I think the 'big lever' you are reffering to was where the knuckle guard is/was attached, the one on mine is long gone. Nice beast btw.

 

[B_Turner]

My buddys saw is actualy amazing considering how old it is. I'm spoiled my self and find it heavy for the power, but come on it's 25 years old.

I had him take off the bar and chains that came with it (trashed is an understatement) and had him try one of my .325 bars and 20NK chain like I run on my electric, it cuts like a new saw. Pulls the skinny 20 incher surprisingly well. (20 inch because it is his only saw.)

But the sprocket was original and thus the upgrade kit.

My oldest saw is only about 16 years old, an shop muffler modified 026. It is actually a fine saw and with a 16 inch bar running 3/8 square it does a good job. THe ony reason I consider replacing it is because it makes a bit of blue smoke these days, especially while warming up.

I will only reluctantly admit I milled alot of cherry board with that saw while it was my only saw when I first had it. I am probably lucky I didn't pop it. But just for fun checked compression in all my saws recently out of curiousity and the compression was still right up there.

 

[Lakeside53]

It cost about $50. By band, are you referring to 21 in the pdf?

I haven't had his saw apart (it was his photo I sent), but he did have the saw worked on and was told it never had with a brake. It's got the big lever, and up to that point I didn't know some old stihls came with the big external lever and no brake.

I'd be putting one on - the hand guard. You can't fit the brake system to the older 028.