The Homelite 540/8800 Thread

[csx7006]

Anyone cut some wood lately with your 540/8800? I noodled some ash with one of mine tonight... Sure was running HOT. I need to figure something out on this monster, I know the 540's run a bit on the warm side- but this seemed a little much.
Wasn't lean, and 4 stroking in and out of the wood. I'm not past putting a radiator on this thing haha. I will be opening up the exhaust on this saw this week, in effort to cool it down. Seemed like I was getting a lot of oil burn from the muffler as well, and I cant figure out why. I wasnt running excessively rich, and the inside of the muffler looked pretty clean last time I checked (not long ago).
How hot are your 540's running guys? And for you guys that have opened the exhaust up, are you guys getting significantly cooler temps?

Was this one mine?

 

[procarbine2k1]

Was this one mine?

Yep, but in all respect my other 540 runs "warm" too, but Ive spent more time with the one I got from you than the others. They all may be the same, but I only can refer to this one from experience.
Still very happy with it, just hoping I can cool it down some. Dont plan on using it much, but with parts being so hard to find, just have to make sure I dont tear something up.

 

[csx7006]

well all i did is removed the arrestor screen

 

[HomeDelight Man]

Which saw runs better 540 or 8800? I love my 8800's!

 

[lesorubcheek]

Great question Jonathan. As soon as the weather cools off (maybe October) I'm planning to run 'em both side by side and see if there's any noticeable difference.

Dan

 

[procarbine2k1]

Hey fellow 540/8800 junkies, thought I would let you guys know I threw one of my 540's up on the bay. Dont worry CSX, yours is still safe with me.
No big plans for the other two, just use one of them and the other that needs a piston can hang out on the mantle.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Homelite-540-Ch...703357921?pt=US_Chainsaws&hash=item3a5f15a7e1

 

[Saw Dr.]

Hey fellow 540/8800 junkies, thought I would let you guys know I threw one of my 540's up on the bay. Dont worry CSX, yours is still safe with me.
No big plans for the other two, just use one of them and the other that needs a piston can hang out on the mantle.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Homelite-540-Ch...703357921?pt=US_Chainsaws&hash=item3a5f15a7e1

I saw that right after you listed it. Thought you were making room for a new 8800. Still didn't hear where that minty one went. Do you have a brake handle for the ebay 540?

 

[procarbine2k1]

I saw that right after you listed it. Thought you were making room for a new 8800. Still didn't hear where that minty one went. Do you have a brake handle for the ebay 540?

No I dont buddy, it is on the saw I got from CSX. The brake handle on these arent the most desirable setup, which is why you dont see many with them on there. No doubt they either broke or were removed within the first 10 hours of use.
I cant remember, but I think there may be another Homelite brake handle that will work- but not sure on that.
Too bad you arent closer to me or I would let you get some run time on one of them, you would see what I mean about the brake setup. But, they are awesome saws to say the least. I like the fact that the 540/8800's look so darn modern, even with todays saws.
And yes, if I would have seen that 8800 sooner, I would have snatched it. Im not sure who it went to. I'm hoping the new owner will show up in this thread sooner or later.

 

[jsclipper]

Just put my 540 up for sale in the classifieds if anyone interested.

For sale: an extremely nice, "Same As New" condition, 88cc, Homelite 540 chainsaw with owner’s manual. Also with a 24" Homelite hardnose and a 36" Oregon sprocketnose bars including “same as new” chisel chains for both bars that looks and runs like new..
View attachment 221279

 

[Guido Salvage]

Mine used to look like that.....

Before:

After:

 

[mweba]

Mine used to look like that.....

Did you not end up with that handle or just haven't made your way back to the old stomping grounds?

 

[mweba]

Couple of mine if I hadn't added them already...

 

[mweba]

Video I made to show some of the differences.

[video=youtube_share;dsipsFCKt-E]http://youtu.be/dsipsFCKt-E[/video]

 

[Guido Salvage]

Did you not end up with that handle or just haven't made your way back to the old stomping grounds?

Mitch,

Johnnie (Roanoker494) sent me a handle late last year that I have here. While it is not mint, it will allow me to get the saw going again. I have not been able to get back to VA to get it done and am not sure when that might happen.

Gary

 

[procarbine2k1]

I got the 550CS finished up today, and threw on a 28" bar and chain. Headed out back to cut a round or two, and this thing is a bit stronger than the 540. Difference in performance between the open port/ closed port design I guess. My JD has very, very little sprocket wear and I believe it to be the original sprocket. I may fatten it up a little bit, but the 550CS is a very strong saw- and pretty well in tune. My only gripe was that the previous owner was a fan of used motor oil as bar lube (one of my peeves). The saw cleaned up great (last week), and cut even better.

 

[procarbine2k1]

Posted up one of my 540's on Ebay the other day guys... have a look. It is a project, with a lot of potential. A new set of rings, and an intake boot should have it going (if the piston cleans up ok). I think the intake boot was the source of the problem.

 

[procarbine2k1]

Couple of mine if I hadn't added them already...

I am glad we share the same appreciation for these saws. Great vids, and beautiful saws! Very nice collection to boot!

 

[mweba]

I am glad we share the same appreciation for these saws. Great vids, and beautiful saws! Very nice collection to boot!

Thanks, Man. I'm privileged to have them.

Posted up one of my 540's on Ebay the other day guys... have a look. It is a project, with a lot of potential. A new set of rings, and an intake boot should have it going (if the piston cleans up ok). I think the intake boot was the source of the problem.

I know its self serving but don't drive the price up to much:msp_sneaky:

 

[troutmansawtech]

homelite 8800

hello all im new here names john.i rescued a pretty decent 8800 and want to find the ccs and hp rating for the saw.we have tons of husky,homelite and shindaiwa and mcculloch parts new,used and obsolete if any one is looking.if its a old part that 'doesnt exist anymore'i can more than likely help.thanks again

 

[Jacob J.]

hello all im new here names john.i rescued a pretty decent 8800 and want to find the ccs and hp rating for the saw.we have tons of husky,homelite and shindaiwa and mcculloch parts new,used and obsolete if any one is looking.if its a old part that 'doesnt exist anymore'i can more than likely help.thanks again

Do you have Homelite 8800/John Deere 550CS parts? I need a yellow starter housing for my 550CS and an 8800 cylinder and piston.