McCulloch Chain Saws

[joeymt33]

More info: on both failed attempts the saw would run good for about 30 secs then no spark at all. The chip will not work again after that.

 

[Eccentric]

My McCulloch 650 gear drive is STILL giving me fits. Rebuilt a Tillotson HL63 and swapped it in place of dead primer-flatback. Starts fine (although it want's a prime down the throat when cold), idles great, accelerates fine, 4-strokes at WOT unloaded.............then leans out and starves for about 30 seconds while I diddle the choke to keep it alive. Comes back to life suddenly (like it 'shook off' what ever was ailing it). Does the same thing whether the gas cap is there or not (so the problem isn't the cap vent). Replaced the fuel filter, in-tank line, and tank-to-carb line. Gonna pull the carb AGAIN and pop out the welch plug for a more thorough cleaning. Had reused the carb adaptor-to-manifold gasket. Maybe it's air-leaking there. Will obtain an NOS gasket or make one soon. Doesn't change idle speed when tilting the saw in any direction (so I don't suspect crank seals). P/C and rings look great. Haven't tested the compression, but it 'feels' strong...

Ran the PM700 a bit. It just needs a bit of cleaning and a few strokes of the file for it to be in my 'working' fleet. Replaced the rope and rebuilt the carb on my SP-81. Waiting for a molded fuel line to arrive. While I had the carb off, I looked down the intake port and saw what looks like scoring on the far side (exhaust side) of the jug. Saw a little bit of scoring on the piston through the intake port too. Crap. Hadn't pulled the muffler yet (too lazy to pull all the AV stuff and lower brackets off, since the compression 'feels' strong). Gotta check them exhaust ports first thing..........dangit. I've been spoiled by all the Homelites and non-X-10 family McCullochs I've worked on. Those saws are only two or three screws away from a quick peek into the exhaust port. Need to put together a "poor man's" vac/pressure testing setup now that I no longer have access to one at the shop. Also need to buy a compression tester, as I seem to have lost mine when I moved...:bang:

 

[Ambull]

My McCulloch 650 gear drive is STILL giving me fits. Rebuilt a Tillotson HL63 and swapped it in place of dead primer-flatback. Starts fine (although it want's a prime down the throat when cold), idles great, accelerates fine, 4-strokes at WOT unloaded.............then leans out and starves for about 30 seconds while I diddle the choke to keep it alive. Comes back to life suddenly (like it 'shook off' what ever was ailing it). Does the same thing whether the gas cap is there or not (so the problem isn't the cap vent). Replaced the fuel filter, in-tank line, and tank-to-carb line. Gonna pull the carb AGAIN and pop out the welch plug for a more thorough cleaning. Had reused the carb adaptor-to-manifold gasket. Maybe it's air-leaking there. Will obtain an NOS gasket or make one soon. Doesn't change idle speed when tilting the saw in any direction (so I don't suspect crank seals). P/C and rings look great. Haven't tested the compression, but it 'feels' strong...

Ran the PM700 a bit. It just needs a bit of cleaning and a few strokes of the file for it to be in my 'working' fleet. Replaced the rope and rebuilt the carb on my SP-81. Waiting for a molded fuel line to arrive. While I had the carb off, I looked down the intake port and saw what looks like scoring on the far side (exhaust side) of the jug. Saw a little bit of scoring on the piston through the intake port too. Crap. Hadn't pulled the muffler yet (too lazy to pull all the AV stuff and lower brackets off, since the compression 'feels' strong). Gotta check them exhaust ports first thing..........dangit. I've been spoiled by all the Homelites and non-X-10 family McCullochs I've worked on. Those saws are only two or three screws away from a quick peek into the exhaust port. Need to put together a "poor man's" vac/pressure testing setup now that I no longer have access to one at the shop. Also need to buy a compression tester, as I seem to have lost mine when I moved...:bang:

By the sounds of it I would guess the carb is the culprit. Maybe a check valve is sticking under high vacuum? When the saw revs down, the vacuum is at its highest. If there was an air leak it would run away on you.

Not all Homeys are easy to get at with the exhaust port. The 360, 450, 550, 650 and 750 are a total PITA to check. Almost have to take the entire saw apart before the muffler comes off. You should start picking up Mac's with the removable heads.... how about a Super 44A? lol.

 

[Eccentric]

By the sounds of it I would guess the carb is the culprit. Maybe a check valve is sticking under high vacuum? When the saw revs down, the vacuum is at its highest. If there was an air leak it would run away on you.

Not all Homeys are easy to get at with the exhaust port. The 360, 450, 550, 650 and 750 are a total PITA to check. Almost have to take the entire saw apart before the muffler comes off. You should start picking up Mac's with the removable heads.... how about a Super 44A? lol.

The carb is still where I believe the problem probably lies. That's why it's gonna get torn apart again. The problem I suspect with the carb adaptor gasket is that the area around the impulse passage isn't sealing right, so the pump section of the carb isn't getting a good strong vacuum signal. I'm not suspecting a straight vacuum leak.

The problem doesn't happen during decelleration or idle (highest vacuum periods). It only happens after the saw has been at WOT (either in or out of a cut) for about 5 seconds. Acts like it runs out of fuel (I had suspected a collapsing fuel line or a clogged fuel cap vent, but eliminated both without success) and takes 10-30 seconds to recover at idle while I feather the choke. I messed with it again yesterday, and noticed that the in-tank line (translucent tygon) had a large air bubble in it. Seems to me it may be that the pump section of the carb isn't pulling well. That would explain why it wants a prime down the throat at cold startup too. I hope a fresh carb adaptor gasket (with a good sealing impulse passage area) cures things...

I know whatcha mean about those particular Homelites. I'm working on a 750 now, and was grumbling while pulling the muffler to check through the exhaust port about 8 days ago. That's one of the reasons I won't even bother with a 360. Not a fan of a 330 either.

 

[watsonr]

Who got the McCulloch hard hat off ebay??? Come on now, someone here got it!

Vintage McCulloch chainsaw Hardhat for SP 125 operator | eBay

And this.....:msp_ohmy:

McCulloch 125 125C SP Chainsaw 101B Cylinder Kart | eBay

 

[promac850]

Whoever bought that 125 really wanted it...

The hard hat... dang, I really want one of those, even if it isn't yellow and doesn't have the McCulloch logo on it.

On a separate note, my mom keeps thinking I am going to sell the 790 when I get done with it because it'll be worth a lot of money... it isn't about money to me, it's about the history and heritage of an American saw that felled large trees, possibly some on the west coast, and some on the east coast.

I love holding and running a piece of history from the days where men worked their ***** off for almost nothing to make a living, and most of them did it proudly. They had/have the strength of 10 men, ate six times as much food each meal, and used a vocabulary of swear words that could make a sailor blush. (have is in there because RandyMac and several other members here kicked trees over every day as loggers)

Shame about all we see now are douches with their pants hanging off of their ass. I'm glad my parents were able to raise me to be much more decent than that.

I assure you... I ain't gonna sell it... she just doesn't get how much effort and time will have been invested in this 6 cube saw, and how much I value it... it's priceless to me, simply because it's something that was brought back from the dead, once I finish it that is...

Kinda like the Jeep that my boss has. He built the thing from the ground up, it has a 350 SBC, and lots of ponies residing under the hood, which are directed out to the built automatic transmission and to the transfer case. It can roast the rear tires (it rides on 35" tires) with no signs of struggling coming from the 350... he could probably sell it for well over 10 grand, but it's not about money. He's taken that thing everywhere. It holds lots of memories for him.

I want to be able to look at the saws I fixed and remember the good times I had fixing, building, and running them. Any time I got rid of something that wasn't trash (literally...) I'd kick myself for it. Simply unacceptable to end up regretting something. You all know what I'm talking about.

 

[watsonr]

Whoever bought that 125 really wanted it...

The hard hat... dang, I really want one of those, even if it isn't yellow and doesn't have the McCulloch logo on it.

On a separate note, my mom keeps thinking I am going to sell the 790 when I get done with it because it'll be worth a lot of money... it isn't about money to me, it's about the history and heritage of an American saw that felled large trees, possibly some on the west coast, and some on the east coast.

I love holding and running a piece of history from the days where men worked their ***** off for almost nothing to make a living, and most of them did it proudly. They had/have the strength of 10 men, ate six times as much food each meal, and used a vocabulary of swear words that could make a sailor blush. (have is in there because RandyMac and several other members here kicked trees over every day as loggers)

Shame about all we see now are douches with their pants hanging off of their ass. I'm glad my parents were able to raise me to be much more decent than that.

I assure you... I ain't gonna sell it... she just doesn't get how much effort and time will have been invested in this 6 cube saw, and how much I value it... it's priceless to me, simply because it's something that was brought back from the dead, once I finish it that is...

Kinda like the Jeep that my boss has. He built the thing from the ground up, it has a 350 SBC, and lots of ponies residing under the hood, which are directed out to the built automatic transmission and to the transfer case. It can roast the rear tires (it rides on 35" tires) with no signs of struggling coming from the 350... he could probably sell it for well over 10 grand, but it's not about money. He's taken that thing everywhere. It holds lots of memories for him.

I want to be able to look at the saws I fixed and remember the good times I had fixing, building, and running them. Any time I got rid of something that wasn't trash (literally...) I'd kick myself for it. Simply unacceptable to end up regretting something. You all know what I'm talking about.

If you keep everything you ever get they have a name for it and a TV show I think. Keep the one's that really mean something, fix and sell the rest!! Recognize what potential they bring to someone incapable of doing what you do....restore a classic saw, cut a few blocks, keep really the ones that matter....sell the rest. Hope to find another that needs saved and do it again.

 

[promac850]

If you keep everything you ever get they have a name for it and a TV show I think. Keep the one's that really mean something, fix and sell the rest!! Recognize what potential they bring to someone incapable of doing what you do....restore a classic saw, cut a few blocks, keep really the ones that matter....sell the rest. Hope to find another that needs saved and do it again.

Well, the 790 is part of my four Mac plan. Pro Mac 610 (60cc), Pro Mac 10-10S (57cc), Pro Mac 850 (82cc) and the 790 (103, possibly 104cc now that it will be .030" over)

I plan on having a four Pioneer, four Homelite, and more four saw plans... Spread it out, you know. A little of everything. Hell, I might open a museum...

These Macs matter to me... two of them will have been fully rebuilt by me, and the 10-10S likely will be a rebuilt by me saw as well. A 250 might be in the stable as well... and possibly a couple of the less common and more 'special' Macs like the Super 250 and the Super 797.

I don't keep everything I get. Some gets sold, some gets given away... trash, obviously goes in the trash, unlike the hoarders on that show do... hell some of them leave their used diapers in the heaps of trash in their houses...

I have recently landed a decent fish, in terms of string trimmers. I've now got 6, yes SIX Ryan trimmers, four of them are the same, the other two match each other, but not the others. They all look to maybe need rings, a spark plug, and a carby kit. Some are missing parts, but I should be able to cobble together three of the four similar ones, and one or both of the other similar ones. I've got quite the weedeater emporium going here... I've probably got about 10-12 of them laying around... an IDC rests in a box, a Mac also rests in a box, and some more trimmers that are supposedly pro trimmers. Funny, since most seem to be only 22 or so cc... I guess it was the most they offered in the late 80's early 90's with some brands.

 

[heimannm]

I sold a saw this week, well I left it with someone with the promise to pay me some time...

Good news is I can clear one out of the signature and make room for something more interesting.

Mark

 

[Warped5]

I sold a saw this week, well I left it with someone with the promise to pay me some time...

Good news is I can clear one out of the signature and make room for something more interesting.

Mark

Like a waaaaay overpriced 125C and a Mac hard hat, right?

We all know those scores were preceded by an old Mac with a BUNCH of old kart engines ....

:monkey:

 

[Eccentric]

I sold a saw this week, well I left it with someone with the promise to pay me some time...

Good news is I can clear one out of the signature and make room for something more interesting.

Mark

I'm guessing that a Homelite gear drive has left Dike, Iowa...

 

[promac850]

I'm guessing that a Homelite gear drive has left Dike, Iowa...

I'm guessing that you had something to do with the mysterious disappearance of a Homelite gear drive...

 

[watsonr]

I sold a saw, made room for 10 more, I like new saws!!!

 

[promac850]

I sold a saw, made room for 10 more, I like new saws!!!

lol. When I sell that little pressure washer after using it to clean the torn down 317, I'll have room for more saws too!!

 

[stinkbait]

I've actually came to the point that if I want to own and run more macs then some will have to go. Like the 10-10S I restored. That was the only 10-10S that I have ever owned, and it ripped, but I have 2 more SP81 saws to restore and they aren't gonna pay for themselves. I have alredy spent the money I got from the 10-10S on the pm800 that I'm restoring now. I may have to sell that one as well when it's finished. It's all in what you want in the end. The only thing with restoring and selling saws is that you can't take into account the time that you worked on it.

 

[watsonr]

The only thing with restoring and selling saws is that you can't take into account the time that you worked on it.

Sure you can...I call it ME time, beer time, no nagging time or whatever you want to call it. I mostly call it FUN!!:msp_biggrin:

 

[Eccentric]

I'm guessing that you had something to do with the mysterious disappearance of a Homelite gear drive...

You guess wrong o Shop Monkey. I do have a saw that once belonged to Mark.....but it isn't a Homelite. I guessed Mark had sent off a Homelite gear drive, as we discussed a Super Wiz 66 (I think that's what it was) back when we had trade 'negotiations' going on. It also used to be in his sig...

 

[Warped5]

I've GOT to have this one!

Mac BP-1 sign

 

[Brian13]

I've actually came to the point that if I want to own and run more macs then some will have to go. Like the 10-10S I restored. That was the only 10-10S that I have ever owned, and it ripped, but I have 2 more SP81 saws to restore and they aren't gonna pay for themselves. I have alredy spent the money I got from the 10-10S on the pm800 that I'm restoring now. I may have to sell that one as well when it's finished. It's all in what you want in the end. The only thing with restoring and selling saws is that you can't take into account the time that you worked on it.

I am just about at that same place LOL. Dont have a lot of room for a big collection, so I have to be picky with what I get. The only must haves that I have left for me are SP125, 101 powered saw, and a 80cc 10 series. Maybe a big Homelite will go in there somewhere too, but anything else will just be a bonus.

 

[Ambull]

Don't know if all of you saw my post, but I put up a vid of my Mac SP125/ 101B. This saw was running a 33" roller nose bar with .404 full comp chisel chain. Really cuts fast. Log is about 18" in diameter, and I believe it is Ash.

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chainsaw :: 006-2.mp4 video by jmueller57 - Photobucket