Mastermind
Work Saw Specialist
Yeah......but you're a Tennessean.
It's that way on all the large frame McCullochs that I've worked on. Would've thought that it was obvious. No need to flail at the "nails" with a crowbar (even if you "don't care" at that point). If you drive the pawl pivot pins ("nails"....ugh) too far and the pawls don't pivot freely, you can give them a TAP with a hammer and punch from the backside to loosen things back up.
Also, that saw will run just fine with a 0-degree flywheel. ALL of the other large frame Macs (including the non 'C' SP-125 saw) did. A zero degree flywheel will also make the saw a tad less cranky when starting (compared to a 5 deg flywheel).....
Frustration happens. Setbacks happen. If something as simple as some stubborn pawl pivot pins throws you into a rage where you "don't care" and go at the saw with a crowbar......................well maybe you need to find another hobby and let somebody else deal with these old beasts...
Great post. :msp_thumbup: