McCulloch Chain Saws

[HavinFun]

Mac 850 question. I was showing someone a picture of something on my phone and he saw a picture of my newly acquired yellow Mac. He asks me if I’m into Macs, and I said I really liked them. He then says he has two 850s, one runs good, other doesn’t but has good compression. Says he’d like $1k for both. I don’t need them, but thought they might keep me going on the collection. So, is that a fair price? Thanks.

 

[heimannm]

Welcome McS55A. Your saw appears to have an H&S spike, a very nice addition. Personally I don't like painting a saw that has character, I've only had a paint two or three that were just too far gone to ignore. In all likelihood I will have to paint one or two of the 2 man saws I have awaiting attention since 90%+ of the original paint is gone or flaking off.

On your saw, the crankcase and the gear case (filled with gear oil) are only separated by a seal, if that seal is leaking it could be allowing oil from the gear case into the crankcase which would certainly lead to a lot of blue smoke.

Your saw is also equipped with an air vane governor, try forcing the throttle open at the carburetor (not with the throttle trigger) to see if that makes any difference. It is possible that the governor is closing the throttle when you are trying to run at high speeds.

I have a 55 (72cc version of the same saw) that runs very well.



Mark

 

[heimannm]

A really nice PM850 in good running condition with a desirable bar could easily be worth $500, a non runner is a big question mark to me.

Mark

 

[Joe Crow]

I agree with vinnywv fix and use.

 

[MacSuper55a]

Welcome McS55A. Your saw appears to have an H&S spike, a very nice addition. Personally I don't like painting a saw that has character, I've only had a paint two or three that were just too far gone to ignore. In all likelihood I will have to paint one or two of the 2 man saws I have awaiting attention since 90%+ of the original paint is gone or flaking off.

On your saw, the crankcase and the gear case (filled with gear oil) are only separated by a seal, if that seal is leaking it could be allowing oil from the gear case into the crankcase which would certainly lead to a lot of blue smoke.

Your saw is also equipped with an air vane governor, try forcing the throttle open at the carburetor (not with the throttle trigger) to see if that makes any difference. It is possible that the governor is closing the throttle when you are trying to run at high speeds.

I have a 55 (72cc version of the same saw) that runs very well.

View attachment 1176670

Mark

Thanks for the suggestions. I think I have tried bypassing the governor before, but I will definitely try again. For the gear case seal, it there a definitive test I can do to see if it is in fact the gear case leaking? Could I pressurize the gear case and spray soapy water and look for bubbles?

Thanks again,
Andrew

 

[heimannm]

The leak may be occurring between the crankcase and the gear case. A better test would be to block off the intake and exhaust and try to pressure and vacuum test the crankcase to see if it is holding.

Mark

 

[HavinFun]

Mark,
Thank you for the info. I decided to pass on them. I have the 80cc range covered with other saws, but they do look great.
John

 

[vinnywv]

Yea id pass also. Thats a bit high for my pocket book right now. Ive paid more but things happen. I did get me a pro 10-10 automatic from a flea mkt yesterday. 13 bucks and it has great paint. If nothing else it has many many great parts. Well worth 13 dollars for a 10-10 that is complete and not busted up.

 

[ThistleIA]

Yea id pass also. Thats a bit high for my pocket book right now. Ive paid more but things happen. I did get me a pro 10-10 automatic from a flea mkt yesterday. 13 bucks and it has great paint. If nothing else it has many many great parts. Well worth 13 dollars for a 10-10 that is complete and not busted up.
View attachment 1177006

That's a helluva deal on that 10-10,the bar & chain alone is worth that much,if not a little more.

 

[HavinFun]

Congrats on the great deal Vinny. I’d like to get more Macs, just don’t wish to pay too much too. This fellow who offered them to me initially thought they were over 100cc, and got me excited. Still nice saws nonetheless.

 

[Jeffrey F.]

Thanks Mark. Manual works well in all positions. At least I can use it if I need to. I have a few that are manual only so it's not a bother.

If you ever need any diaphragms I have both styles.

 

[Breckinridge Elkins]

Could I pressurize the gear case and spray soapy water and look for bubbles?

Pretty sure the gear case and bar oil reservoir have a cross vent at the top.

 

[bob kern]

If you ever need any diaphragms I have both styles.

Thank you. Curious if it may work now that I've used the thumb oiler. Long shot, but I'll give it a shot.

 

[Tickletime]

I have an odd ask. Does anyone have an old stock photo of Lee Majors, '6 Million Dollar Man' actor, in a tin hard hat holding a McCulloch chainsaw? I believe it was an advertisement pamphlet years ago. I came across it online a while ago but now would like to use the image. Thx

 

[knightmax]

I have an odd ask. Does anyone have an old stock photo of Lee Majors, '6 Million Dollar Man' actor, in a tin hard hat holding a McCulloch chainsaw? I believe it was an advertisement pamphlet years ago. I came across it online a while ago but now would like to use the image. Thx

 

[ThistleIA]

LOL I remember that episode....the bad guy sabotaged his PM55 by replacing one of the bar nuts with a ''quick adjust'' wing nut.....

 

[Tickletime]

View attachment 1177778

Thank you very much Sir!

 

[Ben79]

Hey just a quick question guys. What oil is recommended for the gear drive gear cases? Saws in question 650 and 640. Thanks in advance!

 

[heimannm]

From the 1-40/1-50/1-60 shop manual:



Mark

 

[Ben79]

From the 1-40/1-50/1-60 shop manual:

View attachment 1177848

Mark

Thank you Mark.