homelite super xl worth ressurecting????

[a. palmer jr.]

Maybe he's waiting for a parts saw and to see what parts are on it before he orders anything.

 

[Eccentric]

Glad to see another one rescued. The XL12/SXL-AO family of saws are the greatest, most influencial saw design of all time. They still are repsectable performers, although they're louder, vibrate more, and are slower than the 'modern' stuff. They're as reliable as a claw hammer, and just about perfect for 'general' firewood cutting. Mine are my 'go to' saws. Homelite also made brushcutters, water pumps, demo saws, and circular saws with this basic powerhead.

With the style of decal on the starter cover on your saw, and the all plastic oiler button, I'd say that is a late production SXL-AO. Probably somewhere in the '80s. Ignitions, flywheels, starter parts, and some minor bits (such as that oiler button) changed throughout the decade, but they're basicaly the same thing from 1963 thru 1994 when they stopped production. Yes that's over thirty years! Homelite 'replaced' this family with 'more modern' saws......yet those 'replacements' only lasted a few years, while the XL12/SXL family kept on truckin'. The Serial # on your saw can be deciphered as to production year/month. There's a thread somewhere here on AS that covers that...

There is absolutely no 'set time' when Homelite 'switched' from blue to red. The never 'completely switched' at all. The first Homelite chainsaws (in the early '50s) were red and black. Since then, Homelites have been made in various shades of red, black, green, blue, white, and various combinations of the above. Most of the 'upright cylinder' gear drive and direct drive Homelites of the '50s and '60s were red, or red and green. Some were blue (such as the Zip and Wiz). The C7/C71/C72/C9/C91 saws (started production in 1965) were always red, with some green parts (AF cover, starter, clutch cover) thrown in from time to time. That was during the same time period that the C5/C51/C52 were all blue. As far as the XL12/SXL saws go.......................well the first ones were blue/white.

Sometime in the late sixties they started making them in red and black. Most of the XL12/SXL saws were painted this way.......................and that's where the "general rule" comes from I imagine. Towards the end of the run (1980-something) they made a few XL12's and SXL-AO's in all-blue, with black decals. The blue is a bit different from the original blue color. Some of these saws were labled as "XL Limited" (or something similar, with "Limited" in the name, and "Old Blue".

Your piston looks like some scratches are starting on it. Maybe some grit got past the AF. The carb box looks pretty sandy in the pics. If the cylinder's still good, it won't be for long if there's grit in there. Better carefuly tear it down and clean things up. Yor saw should be 5.5ci/58cc. It uses the same bar as all of the XL family saws such as the XL12/SXL/XL15series, XL400, XL500, XL700/XL800/XL900series, and the 550/650/750 saws. That's NOT the same pattern as the XL2/Super2/Bandit series, the E-Z/Super EZ, the XL100series, or the current crappo 'homelite' box-store saws). Bars are available from Baileys, who is a site sponsor.

 

[avason]

I forgot to mention...it looked like to me that your saw was also missing the reed valves and block. It won't run without it. They're plentiful too. There are at least two different kinds; the XL12 block and reeds won't fit on the Super XL, at least that was the case on mine.

Thanks for noticing..I've got some researching to do. I don't even know what a reed valve is. I'm looking into a parts manual now.

 

[avason]

The powerhead weighs just shy of 14 pounds and it is 58cc's. I have a couple of them.

Thanks for the motivating pics. I'm pretty sure that is a chainsaw on the bottom but wtf is that other thing. That looks mean!:jawdrop:

 

[avason]

Glad to see another one rescued. The XL12/SXL-AO family of saws are the greatest, most influencial saw design of all time. They still are repsectable performers, although they're louder, vibrate more, and are slower than the 'modern' stuff. They're as reliable as a claw hammer, and just about perfect for 'general' firewood cutting. Mine are my 'go to' saws. Homelite also made brushcutters, water pumps, demo saws, and circular saws with this basic powerhead.

With the style of decal on the starter cover on your saw, and the all plastic oiler button, I'd say that is a late production SXL-AO. Probably somewhere in the '80s. Ignitions, flywheels, starter parts, and some minor bits (such as that oiler button) changed throughout the decade, but they're basicaly the same thing from 1963 thru 1994 when they stopped production. Yes that's over thirty years! Homelite 'replaced' this family with 'more modern' saws......yet those 'replacements' only lasted a few years, while the XL12/SXL family kept on truckin'. The Serial # on your saw can be deciphered as to production year/month. There's a thread somewhere here on AS that covers that...

There is absolutely no 'set time' when Homelite 'switched' from blue to red. The never 'completely switched' at all. The first Homelite chainsaws (in the early '50s) were red and black. Since then, Homelites have been made in various shades of red, black, green, blue, white, and various combinations of the above. Most of the 'upright cylinder' gear drive and direct drive Homelites of the '50s and '60s were red, or red and green. Some were blue (such as the Zip and Wiz). The C7/C71/C72/C9/C91 saws (started production in 1965) were always red, with some green parts (AF cover, starter, clutch cover) thrown in from time to time. That was during the same time period that the C5/C51/C52 were all blue. As far as the XL12/SXL saws go.......................well the first ones were blue/white.

Sometime in the late sixties they started making them in red and black. Most of the XL12/SXL saws were painted this way.......................and that's where the "general rule" comes from I imagine. Towards the end of the run (1980-something) they made a few XL12's and SXL-AO's in all-blue, with black decals. The blue is a bit different from the original blue color. Some of these saws were labled as "XL Limited" (or something similar, with "Limited" in the name, and "Old Blue".

Your piston looks like some scratches are starting on it. Maybe some grit got past the AF. The carb box looks pretty sandy in the pics. If the cylinder's still good, it won't be for long if there's grit in there. Better carefuly tear it down and clean things up. Yor saw should be 5.5ci/58cc. It uses the same bar as all of the XL family saws such as the XL12/SXL/XL15series, XL400, XL500, XL700/XL800/XL900series, and the 550/650/750 saws. That's NOT the same pattern as the XL2/Super2/Bandit series, the E-Z/Super EZ, the XL100series, or the current crappo 'homelite' box-store saws). Bars are available from Baileys, who is a site sponsor.

All I have to say is WOW! That is some pretty impressive information. I don't know how you know it but you know it. I'm looking at the saw completely different now. I'm gonna ask my wife if I can keep it in our bedroom. Wish me luck!

 

[roncoinc]

Keep in mind that running ones can be found in the $30 range..

 

[Sprintcar]

The Homelite XL-12 series is one of the most sucessful designs ever built. These saws were built to last a lifetime with correct and proper maintenance. We now have about seven runners that my father in law keeps. As you can tell, the XL-12 is his favorite saw.

The pictures are just a few that we have.

 

[Sprintcar]

This is one I sent to another member. Randy and his son in law had her up and going in no time.

There are thousands of the XL-12 series out there. Just look and ask around and you will find parts saws.

 

[lawnmowertech37]

This is one I sent to another member. Randy and his son in law had her up and going in no time.

There are thousands of the XL-12 series out there. Just look and ask around and you will find parts saws.

Is that a 24" bar hard nose tip in that last photo ?

 

[Sprintcar]

Nope, 20 inch sprocket nose. A 24 is a tad much for an XL-12 to pull. Best performance I've found is with a 16 or 18.

 

[Guido Salvage]

Thanks for the motivating pics. I'm pretty sure that is a chainsaw on the bottom but wtf is that other thing. That looks mean!:jawdrop:

It is a bow saw attachment that is mostly used in the pulpwood industry. For me, it saves my back from having to lean over to cut. I have several, but Mr. Bow Saw is the king.

Here are some others that I have (and there may be another 640 in my future).

This is another older saw that I have.

 

[chopperfreak2k1]

I'm gonna ask my wife if I can keep it in our bedroom. Wish me luck!

i keep my saws in the bedroom

 

[avason]

It is a bow saw attachment that is mostly used in the pulpwood industry. For me, it saves my back from having to lean over to cut. I have several, but Mr. Bow Saw is the king.

Here are some others that I have (and there may be another 640 in my future).

This is another older saw that I have.

Those are pretty wild looking. They look like they belong in a horror movie. They save your back because you don't have to lean...Do they work as well as a regular bar? I thought they were some type of debarking gizmo.
:monkey:

 

[lawnmowertech37]

Nope, 20 inch sprocket nose. A 24 is a tad much for an XL-12 to pull. Best performance I've found is with a 16 or 18.

The 18 " and the 20" i have are sprocket tip not sure of the mount pattern though but those are oem homelite bars

 

[Eccentric]

All I have to say is WOW! That is some pretty impressive information. I don't know how you know it but you know it. I'm looking at the saw completely different now. I'm gonna ask my wife if I can keep it in our bedroom. Wish me luck!

Thank you. I've been into these saws for a LONG time. Also, learned a lot from the fellows here, on Acres site, and on other boards. I have a Homelite-nut friend that's been running '50s through '80s Homelites professionaly for more than 40 years. His knowledge, and his collection of working saws and parts saws is mind-blowing...

Keep in mind that running ones can be found in the $30 range..

Yep, and parts saws are everywhere too (as Sprintcar stated). I have to recomend that Avason gets to collecting this saw family, and lets this first saw either become a runner or a parts saw within the fleet. It's a great saw family to collect and run for the reasons we've all mentioned!

The pictures are just a few that we have.

There are thousands of the XL-12 series out there. Just look and ask around and you will find parts saws.

Nice saws. I realy like the blue/white XL12 Auto or SXL-Auto (no manual oiler on that saw) on the bottom. Didja repaint it? If so, please share with us what paints you used. Are you gonna put new decals on it and install a bumper spike? I hope so. She's a looker for sure! You're right. He should ask around for parts saws (both at local shops, and here). Homelite made a billion of these things...................they're everywhere...

Nope, 20 inch sprocket nose. A 24 is a tad much for an XL-12 to pull. Best performance I've found is with a 16 or 18.

Is that a 24" bar hard nose tip in that last photo ?

I agree completely. My XL12 family saws balance best with an 18" bar, although the SXL does perform great with the 20" (and it does give more reach). I have a nice original 16" hard tip (that came with my XL12) that I'm saving for looks. My 'workhorse' red SXL-AO looks almost identical to the saw in your pic (paint condition, etc) except it has the older brass oiler button, and wears an old Oregon replacable nose 20" sprocket tip bar. I was eyeballing and coveting that original sprocket-nose bar in your pic that Calvin asked about. Also have a nice 22" bar that I'm saving for a larger XL series saw, such as an XL800 or XL923.

Calvin, you can see the red 'sprocket' stenciled onto the nose of that bar. The hardnose Homelite bars of that era have a red outline painted inside of the rail edges, and have "Perma Hard Tip" (instead of "Power Tip") stenciled in the center.

This is another older saw that I have.

That looks like my blue/white XL12 except mine has a bit more of the paint left, isn't an AO so the starter decal is different (Auto Oiler) and it hasn't had a red rear handle/carb box swapped in. Bought it from Farley9N years ago. He'd swapped in a P/C from a later red SXL-AO, but refrained from swapping in the SXL's later handle/car box and pyramid reed setup for asthetic reasons. It doesn't rev quite as quick as my 'true' SXL-AO, but I'm thankful he made the choice he did though.

 

[Guido Salvage]

Those are pretty wild looking. They look like they belong in a horror movie. They save your back because you don't have to lean...Do they work as well as a regular bar? I thought they were some type of debarking gizmo.
:monkey:

I do not do any felling with mine, just limbing and sectioning of logs. Another factor is that they tend not to pinch like a regular bar does.

 

[avason]

I'm still working on getting parts for the saw..I'll keep you guys posted. Thanks for the help!

 

[pops21]

Ok I'm now back from vacation. The parts that I have for avason are off a XL-12. Mainly the carb and reed cage. For the life of me I can't find the carb model number. There are numbers on it but non match up with carb numbers on chainsaw collectors corner. If the XL-12 carb and reed block will work on a xl-super then I will send it out to him. I just need to know if it will and what model # my carb is.

 

[Guido Salvage]

Just put a new fuel line and filter on the SXLA and it fired up and runs. I will have it with me this weekend at our local tractor show.

 

[avason]

Your not going to believe this gentleman...I just picked up another homie super xl auto. I'll have pictures up tomorrow. This saw is complete with bar and chain. Brought it home and she fired right up. Had a hard time tuning the girl in. Next day the thing wouldn't fire up at all...it would sporatically pop and stop on me. Took the thing apart so many times that I lost count. Took the fly wheel cover off and even took the flywheel of to clean the points. I have no idea why i did this because I had spark the entire time. Anyway she's sick and won't start. i took the fuel line out checked it and she's good. She's def getting fuel because every time I go to start her theres fuel coming out of the muffler. WTF!
The only thing I can think of is that the guy that I picked it up from used 32 to fuel and I'm using 50 to 1. I just thought of that tonight sitting here pondering all of my options. It is funny that it ran when I brought it home then it wouldn't even start.
I have a really hard time believing that fuel would have this much of an effect. Am I wrong??

By the way guys thanks for hanging around. I've been using the first homie to practice on. I still want to get that thing going. :greenchainsaw: