Old Stihl 028WB-Should I fix it or warehouse it?

[chainster]

I have lurked in this forum for months, and just registered. I started collecting saws about a year ago and have now have 21. I semi-mechanically inclined (watch out world) and trying to decide what to do with this old 028 Woodboss. I've never cut with an 028, but from what I hear they are real nice little saws.

I think the saw is from the 79-81 vintage as it does not have electronic ignition. Thbe saw started when an old friend gave it to me, but it certainly didn't run to well. I took it to a Stihl shop (this was a few months ago before I started tinkering), and they claim it has good spark and 130 lbs compression. The guy really hated the Tillotson carb on it and claimed they never really ran right, etc. etc.

I'm trying to decide what to do with the saw. Any opinions on the pre-electronic ignition stihls?

NH Chainster
Live Free or DIE

 

[CbaileyBG]

I say go for it...lol. .. I assume the metal handle is good. You have fire. Have you pulled the muffler to check out the piston to see what it looks like? If it looks good and you have fire,,, well you sure have something to work with. You can always change the ignition with an electronic ignition kit. Just my opinion. I dont think anyone will discourage you in here... hehehe

Curt

 

[TonyM]

Have you seen what junk 028 (AVs, Supers, Woodbosses) go for on ebay? I bet you get $80-$100 for it used.

I worked on an 028AV with the Tillotson. Here are all the things I found wrong.

1. Bad PTO crank seal
2. Deteriorated fuel line
3. Plugged Low speed adjustment
4. Air leak at carb to intake boot (Same thing on an 031 that another shop said wasn't worth fixing, and a little permatex was all it took)
5. Leaking welch plug in carburetor
6. Master control wouldn't stay in choke position

It ran fine after the time consuming (and sometimes frustrating) process of finding all the things wrong.

If you've got spark and 130psi, and patience, tinker with it. It's well worth it. If not, sell it to me so I can tinker with it

 

[Lewis Brander]

Sending saw.

Hey TonyM. He can send it to me first, I'm closer. Take care. Lewis.

 

[chainster]

TonyM,

Thanx for the list of things to check for. I'm going to go for it. Any thought on weather I should try to convert to electronic ignition? Are those kits expensive? Are they difficult to figure out?

Lewis, I like your list of old homelites. I just picked up an EZ-6 the other day I'm pretty sure it is late 50's. How do you date your saws with such precision?

_____________________
Chainster
Live Free or DIE

 

[Lawn Masters]

He and I as well as some other collectors use this site to find our information. The info is so very helpful in getting a saw make and model pinned down.
Unless its Mange's Alaska 1 he has. that thing is a very rare machine all its own.

 

[Lewis Brander]

Dating old saw.

Well, the dates posted are approximate years the saws were first intorduced to the market. Look on Mike Acres Site: http://www.acresinternet.com/cscc.nsf?OpendataBase , click on boruse saws and the different manufacturers will be displayed, click the blue arrow and the different saw models will be dispoayed with their info. That's where I get the approximate dates of the saws. What saws do you have in your collection. Send me an email if you like. Take car. Lewis.

 

[Lobo]

It ran fine after the time consuming (and sometimes frustrating) process of finding all the things wrong.

If you've got spark and 130psi, and patience, tinker with it. It's well worth it. If not, sell it to me so I can tinker with it

Tony with all due respect his one is mine. I would love an 028 to tinker and rebuild. This saw needs a good home in Canada.

I will rename it a AMUCK 028. in honor both sides of the border.

 

[TonyM]

Lobo, you're going to have to take number. Number three I think As much as I'd like to buy it, I was really just trying to make a point.

 

[Lobo]

Those 028's were real good saws. Probly one of the most abused saw models out there.

They would take a licking and keep on cutting !

 

[asharrow]

I've now bookmarked that site that helps you guys ID your saws, but I didn't see any Homelites or Stihls later than the 1950s there.

Is there any site for these brands that goes up through the 020-somethings and XLs?

Jim in Maine

 

[ray benson]

Hi Jim,
When you go to Mike Acres site and click on Homelite saws - at the bottom of the page click "next page". There is 8 or 9 more pages ( over 200 models ) of Homelite saws.
Ray

 

[jimc]

With regard to solid state ignition modules - definitely easy and inexpensive way to go for an older saw , providing the coil is healthy. Bunch of suppliers out there, and probably about the same cost as a new set of points & condenser.
If you can fit it inside the cooling shroud , it's a bulletproof setup.
I'd probably not bother until your presently healthy points setup gives it up.
Jim

 

[tony marks]

well if i hadthe knowledge to do it.. id do it ,in your situation.. sooner or later you will get it rite and you will end up with a good work saw and have fun making it rite..jmo