Older Homelite Zip Questions

[goges]

I am taking small engine classes and i am going to work on an old Homlite Zip. Does anyone know anything about these chainsaws. I don't know much about it and i want to go look for parts and specs. Any help would be great. Thanks in advance.
goges

 

[glens]

Unfortunately, they appear to be having more troubles lately, but you can sometimes find information for various non-current saws at http://www.acresinternet.com/ in the "Chain Saw Collectors Corner".

 

[tree monkey]

you should have a newer up to date saw to learn on, for parts availability. how deap do you want to get into one.
where in wi are you? i might donate a saw thats feasably rebuildable.

later scott

 

[goges]

I live in the fox valley area of WI (Appleton, green bay) I am using this saw becouse its just one i had that i knew needed work. ( i needed a project before class)
thanks for the help

 

[Tony Snyder]

Your learning experience will not be as valuable repairing something so old you will probably never run across anything similar again.

 

[HUSKYMAN]

Hey leave that Homelite zip alone!

I think there is plenty to be learned. A piston port motor is a piston port motor.

I restored mine to running fantastically, I just need a clutch. If you do not need the clutch for yours shoot me an email.

BTW the Zip is 4.7 c.i., about 77cc.

I have pictures of mine but they are on my home computer

 

[BillW]

Maybe I can help you out. I have an illustrated PARTS BOOK for the ZIP and NOS clutch pieces.

 

[Tony Snyder]

Would you start your son, maybe a new auto mechanic student on a 1960 Corvair? Internal combustion four stokes they are, buttt.

They don't start computer students on 80s stuff either, get my point?

But, maybe the boy wants to be an antique engine mechanic.

He can put on his resume, "I got a Homelite Zip to run"."Very good,how are you at yard clean-up work?. It pays $4.75 an hour, with our free accidental rectal exam insurance".

 

[John in MA]

I've worked on saws from the '60s to 90s range and I really don't see a big difference in basic technology. Everything is, of course, much smaller (mower experience translates well to the old saws) and you have AV systems and plastic and chainbrakes, but no huge changes.

Cars have gone from flatheads to pushrods to OHC with computer controls, fuel injection, etc. but saws are still very much the same design.

 

[Greg Carberry]

I don't think its such a stupid idea. You can still learn alot from the old ZIP. You probably dont want to shell out the $$ to buy a new Husky etc just to tear up. Unless Tony wants to donate you one lol I would go ahead and and work on the ZIP for now. It will teach you the basics, saws havent changed much as cars have. In some instances the old saws are more complicated than newer ones. You'll run into points ignition, reed valves and air vane governors on some of the old ones. I'd get the old bugger going and get something newer to work on later. Good luck!

 

[HUSKYMAN]

He'll learn a lot more from that Zip than he will from an 029

All that will teach him is that Stihl makes junk (based on that model) and that he does not want to be a small engine mechanic when he grows up

Or a modern orange camouflaged Poulan. He will learn about the term disposable

 

[goges]

thanks

thanks to everyone with your input and for all the doubters i had a good time working on this machine. Put electronic ignition on it and it runs good. Just a little loud though. it was my dads saw thats why i wanted to get it running

 

[HUSKYMAN]

Mine gives me a headache after about two minutes in the garage

Where did you get the electronic ignition from?

 

[goges]

got the electronic ignition from a local small engine dealer. I think the name of the product was something like mega fire or something like that.