I found one! Almost..

[dav2no1]

Been looking for a little homeowner saw to chop my branch pile up and do clean up work around the yard. I have a Milwaukee M18 pole saw setup..works great up to 2 1/2" to 3" depending.. But need a real saw. So many junk and worn out ones for sale..or way too much money.

Been reading as much as I can on here to get information on the right saw. My buddy is a tree guy and has tons of saws from over the years. I told him I'm still looking for a saw after he called with Thanksgiving wishes. After a bit he called me back and said he had a Stihl 024 in decent shape..AND I could have it for free! Said it hasn't been started in awhile, but was stored in his dry shed. I'm excited to get it and play with it.

 

[Michael E]

Great "choice"!

There are few things I would check. A saw of this age, that hasn't been used in years, might have a few rubber parts gone bad/hard. If your fuel line is broken and your saw won't start, it's no big deal. But if your crankshaft seals are bad, you will burn up the engine in no time. If you don't know how to work on a saw, have a shop check it out. Or learn to do it yourself.

 

[dav2no1]

Great "choice"!

There are few things I would check. A saw of this age, that hasn't been used in years, might have a few rubber parts gone bad/hard. If your fuel line is broken and your saw won't start, it's no big deal. But if your crankshaft seals are bad, you will burn up the engine in no time. If you don't know how to work on a saw, have a shop check it out. Or learn to do it yourself.

Thanks for the tips. I plan on learning more about this saw. I've downloaded the manual and watched several videos. I already know the oil plug needs to be replaced. I plan on picking it up later today. I plan to look over the saw and inspect it the best I can.

So my next question is, what is the best place to buy parts? Is there fake Stihl parts being sold online? Are generic carbs as good as an oem? I assume the oem carbs are better? And what about carb rebuild kits..Stihl vs generic? I'm gonna have lots of questions moving forward

I am a super moderator on the c10 forum and own 2 classic trucks as well as a newer truck. I was also a Final Assembly Mechanic for the big B airplane company and now a composite fabricator for them..so I do have mechanical knowledge and tools. But this will be my first time messing with a gas saw. Doesn't look too difficult.

Is there a way to know if crankshaft seals are good without tearing it down?

 

[pioneerguy600]

Stick with OEM parts if you can afford them, much easier as they work most often as intended, can`t say that for the cheaper AM parts that may or my not work right out of the package. To check a saw for air tightness a pressure/vac tool is the best option, others cobble up a working option from blood pressure bulbs and some tubing. For myself I have 3 Mighty Vacs, the Mighty Vac 8500 is the better tool I use almost every saw I work on.You will need some occluders and or block off devices for the exhaust port and intake opening.

 

[dav2no1]

Picked it up..ended up giving him $20 and a 6 pack of Kona Big Wave beer.

He did drain all the fuel out, but it's dirty as expected. He said it ran fine when he stored it, with exception of the bar oil cap leaking.




looks like 1991

 

[dav2no1]

Working on getting big stuff loose with long q-tips. Then I'll hit it with some air. And clean the plastic parts for now. Got carb blocked so don't get anything in there.

 

[buzz sawyer]

Good saw to start with. Since you have to pull the muffler to do a vac/pressure test, go ahead and check the piston for scoring. Post a pic if questionable. Also check the screen in the muffler outlet - if it has one. Clogged screens really reduce power.

 

[capetrees]

Working on getting big stuff loose with long q-tips. Then I'll hit it with some air. And clean the plastic parts for now. Got carb blocked so don't get anything in there.

spray it heavy with WD40. It breaks up the old oily sawdust and cuts the sap away. Blow it all off with air.

 

[pioneerguy600]

Doesn`t look too serious,, a good cleanup is the first thing I do with them , while cleaning I can find/see things that need replacing, their fuel delivery lines bend around very tightly under the carb right as it comes through the tank, have found many with cracks in the line in that area, also fuel line rotted off in the tank.

 

[dav2no1]

Doesn`t look too serious,, a good cleanup is the first thing I do with them , while cleaning I can find/see things that need replacing, their fuel delivery lines bend around very tightly under the carb right as it comes through the tank, have found many with cracks in the line in that area, also fuel line rotted off in the tank.

Looks like filter is just rolling around in the tank..

 

[pioneerguy600]

Looks like filter is just rolling around in the tank..
View attachment 1222872

Fuel line gone to goo, fuel sat for a long time in that tank.

 

[dav2no1]

WD40 and some air as suggested. Starting to look better. Will repeat a few times.

I need to pull off the pull start cover. Looks like one screw is attached to the chain brake...is there any surprises behind that screw?

Also I cleaned up the air filter..are these supposed to be reused? And if so..how does one know when to replace it? Air seems to move through it and I can see some daylight soaked it in WD and blew it out several times.

 

[capetrees]

Try to blow out the air filter from the inside, the side around the carb. Don't blow it forcefully from the outside. It just jams the sawdust into the fine filter element. Blowing it from the inside opens those pores and filter spaces.

 

[PV Hiker]

You can take apart the carb, remember how the gaskets go with quick cell phone pictures. If gaskets good can reuse them for now. By doing this you can clean it out making sure it is not gummed up with old bad fuel., spray pathways with carb cleaner. Don't use high compressed air on the carb.

That chain looks like it needs some help filing.

 

[dav2no1]

The bar is a larger size. I'd like to replace the bar and chain with oem.

Is there a difference in fuel lines? I thought I saw a video where the guy used a newer style that had a spring around it?

 

[pioneerguy600]

The bar is a larger size. I'd like to replace the bar and chain with oem.

Is there a difference in fuel lines? I thought I saw a video where the guy used a newer style that had a spring around it?

Get a fuel line through a Stihl dealer the am lines are made from inferior material and fail very quickly in any ethanol laced fuel/pump gas. The fuel pickup line from a MS260 is an upgrade and I do that often on my 026 rebuilds, the hole in the fuel tank does need to be enlarged to fit the molded in grommet in the new fuel line,easy to do but if that does not seem like something you want to attempt just get a OEM 026 replacement from a dealer. I have seen too many AM fuel related parts break down and fail to recommend them if used with regular pump gas. I have never seen a fuel line with a spring around it, the OEM ones do not. As for a bar and chain there are too many choices for replacement and eBay is loaded with choices of lengths and manufacturers, Stihl and Oregon are most common bars and chains , just depends on what you want to pay for one and the amount of use you intend to use it.