Pioneer 6-20/650 Restoration Project

[lumberjackchef]

I came across this pair of old pioneers last year and I'm tired of seeing them sit around collecting dust so i guess I found my winter project. I need to identify the green top one for sure. I think it looks like the 650 from Acres site but I figured one of you pioneer gurus can help me out with that. Here are some pics Of the 6-20.........

All I know thus far is that the 6-20 is locked up and that the 650 turns over and has some compression. In the next few days I plan to open them up a bit and see exactly what I've got to deal with. If there are any tricks you might know and or pitfalls to watch out for while tearing one of these old dudes down, I would appreciate the guidance. I will post some pictures of what I assume is a 650 in the next post. So here we go. I can't wait to here one of these old things run!

 

[lumberjackchef]

Here are some pics of that mystery model....

 

[Arrowhead]

I don't know much on the older ones. Im sure Pioneerguy600 will be by shortly, he will know for sure.

 

[pioneerguy600]

Your 620 is actually a 620 Super and looks like it would make a real nice project saw, I have several of them including restored ,running and project ones like yours. The one with the green top is a 650 and was the last of the 600 series saws made. All of the 600 series saws are basically the same, 103 cc`s engines with some changes to the air filtration and a change from the early Tillotson HL 22A to the Tillotson HL 129 A. A lot of the parts will interchange between the 600 series saws, the most noticable change was the top covers in that the 600 and 6-10 had a latch type fastener at the rear and the 620`s and 650`s used a bolt through the rear of the cover to fasten it down. Make sure your inner air shield is in good shape before running these saws for any length of time as the cylinder will heat up real quick and a piston does not take long to melt. Best of luck on your restoration projects, they will look great when completed.
Pioneerguy600

 

[lumberjackchef]

The 650 does have a good spark. There is a good bit of carbon on the top of the piston. Will need to pick up a kit for the carb in the morning. Oh, and I was surprised to see that these saws are piston ported. For some reason I guess I though it was going to be a reed valve intake. Overall this old saw looks to be in good shape. After I fix the small hole in the fuel tank, give the fuel system a good deep cleaning, and put in a kit it should come back to life!.

Have any of you pioneer guys ever modified one of the drums to accept a rim so you could run 3/8 if you wanted to. I am assuming there are not any aftermarket parts with something like this available and that you would have to do something like 820wards did to his mill in this thread......http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=118268

 

[pioneerguy600]

The ring drive was actually used on these saws from the factory and the aftermarket suppliers like Oregon made them also. The part number from Pioneer is 471400. There is also a 3/8" spur drive replacement sprocket made by Oregon and Windsor for the 600 series saws.
Pioneerguy600

 

[pastryguyhawaii]

Good luck on you restoration project. The 650 I got from Jerry is a fantastic saw. Plus I think they are some of the coolest looking saws out there.

 

[lumberjackchef]

The ring drive was actually used on these saws from the factory and the aftermarket suppliers like Oregon made them also. The part number from Pioneer is 471400. There is also a 3/8" spur drive replacement sprocket made by Oregon and Windsor for the 600 series saws.
Pioneerguy600

That is excellent news because I am thinking of modifying the 650 and using it on a stationary slabbing mill that I'm in the process of designing. I am going to keep the saw stock appearing though. One other question, how can you tell if the 6-20 is a super or not?

 

[pioneerguy600]

That is excellent news because I am thinking of modifying the 650 and using it on a stationary slabbing mill that I'm in the process of designing. I am going to keep the saw stock appearing though. One other question, how can you tell if the 6-20 is a super or not?

The metal plate rivited to the front of the recoil or flywheel housing will have a metal plate with 620 S stamped on it and the top cover should be a copper color, the regular 620 had a regular yellow/green top cover. Basically the 620 Super had a better airfilter arrangement.
Pioneerguy600

 

[leeha]

You got your self a couple of nice oldie's.
These 600 series saws are great saws to
mess around with and restore. Pioneer made
lots of these so parts should be easy to find
in the used department.
Good luck with these 2.


Lee

 

[WesternSaw]

Great Stuff!

lumberjackchef,I would sure like to see your post's appear in the Pioneer thread as well.Not trying to tell you what to do,just a suggestion.
Lawrence

 

[lumberjackchef]

lumberjackchef,I would sure like to see your post's appear in the Pioneer thread as well.Not trying to tell you what to do,just a suggestion.
Lawrence

I think that would probably be appropriate for this particular subject thanks for the suggestion. I'm sure that's a great place for me to find the insight and assistance that I will need for this project. From this point I will move my posting over to that thread.

 

[pioneerguy600]

lumberjackchef,I would sure like to see your post's appear in the Pioneer thread as well.Not trying to tell you what to do,just a suggestion.
Lawrence

+1, good advice.
Pioneerguy600

 

[WesternSaw]

lumberjackchef

I think that would probably be appropriate for this particular subject thanks for the suggestion. I'm sure that's a great place for me to find the insight and assistance that I will need for this project. From this point I will move my posting over to that thread.

Looking forward to seeing you over there!I know there will be many more eye's watching as well.
Lawrence