Solo 694 compression problem

[Preston Phillips]

My Alpine Magnum stump grinder has a Solo 694 chainsaw power head. Haven't used it for a few years and now I'm 83 and having problem starting it. It does not have a decomp valve and I work out so I ain't that weak but when I pull it on compression stroke it's like it kicks back. I pulled the plug and can spin it easily with no problem. Thinking about putting a decomp valve in the top of the cylinder but it never had one before. Any Ideas?

 

[pioneerguy600]

If it can be done there would be some milling off of cylinder fins, if space allows it would be better to place it above piston travel in the cylinder head. I run a 690 on a mill and it seems to be a mild animal for starting but a very strong running saw.

 

[Preston Phillips]

Thanks! looking at some posts, I'm thinking about pulling the cylinder and taking it to a machine shop. there is already a raised, round flat place in the center of the cylinder top just in front of the where the spark plug is screwed in at an angle. It has to be well over the top of piston travel. I know I'm about 8 years older than I was when I used it before and never had any trouble starting it but now it very hard to pull. Thanks again.

 

[pioneerguy600]

Thanks! looking at some posts, I'm thinking about pulling the cylinder and taking it to a machine shop. there is already a raised, round flat place in the center of the cylinder top just in front of the where the spark plug is screwed in at an angle. It has to be well over the top of piston travel. I know I'm about 8 years older than I was when I used it before and never had any trouble starting it but now it very hard to pull. Thanks again.

That would be an easy place to drill a hole and have it threaded to take a Stihl or Husqvarna decomp, easy peasy for anyone with the tooling.