The Homelite 540/8800 Thread

[procarbine2k1]

Are you still foolin' with these saws at all Mitch or did you sell them off?

 

[Eccentric]

I ran a 540 with an 8800 top end swap at the PNW GTG a few weeks ago. Very strong, high revving saw. Was a weird experience, as it didn't sound or feel like any Homelite I've ever ran before........:msp_ohmy:

 

[Farley9n]

Hey Aaron......

That was the one I had just gotten from my neighbor. It's a real nice 540! I have just picked up another 8800 from Ebay and next time you are here I expect it to be muffler modded and ported.............:msp_unsure:.........Bob

 

[FergusonTO35]

I remember seeing one of those big Homies at Ace Hardware of Nicholasville around 1996. I thought "wow, thats not my Dad's Super 2!" Until then I thought the biggest saw they made was the SXL. That store was the last actual Homelite dealer in central KY that I know of, they switched to Echo shortly thereafter.

 

[Guido Salvage]

Believe it or not, I bought my 540 new at Northern Hydraulics. It came with a 20" bar with the requisite guard on the tip but it has never seen wood as I put a 30" Total on it.

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

Jeff I know I ran your JD, but I cant remember. Does the 550 have a metal tank like on 8800 or plastic tank like 540. Is 550 closed port like 8800 or open like 540?

All I know is the 550 of yours was a strong runner at the gtg.

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

I have just picked up another 8800 from Ebay and next time you are here I expect it to be muffler modded and ported.............:msp_unsure:.........Bob

This one? It looked nice and watched it. :msp_wink:

copy pasted ebay

(((HOMELITE 8800 SAW RUNS GREAT EVERYTHING WORKS AS IT SHOULD OTHER THAN CHAINBRAKE HAS SCRACHES AND SCUFFS AS SEEN IN PICTURES. SAW HAS BEEN IN STORAGE FOR THE LAST 8 TO 13 YEARS.PUT A INTAKE BOOT ON IT CHECKED MOUNTS AND SCREWS ALL WERE IN GREAT SHAPE SAW WAS VERY CLEAN. TOOK MUFFLER OFF CHECKED PISTON&CYLINDER LOOKED LIKE NEW NO SCRACHES OR SCORING AT ALL.AUTION IS FOR POWER HEAD ONLY.)))

 

[Farley9n]

Yep....

That's the one! Waited till the last 30 sec and bid. Some one else did the same thing but only went to $260......That's happened to me a lot! Nice to be the winner for a change.......Bob

 

[procarbine2k1]

Jeff I know I ran your JD, but I cant remember. Does the 550 have a metal tank like on 8800 or plastic tank like 540. Is 550 closed port like 8800 or open like 540?

All I know is the 550 of yours was a strong runner at the gtg.

Thanks Kevin, glad you liked it.

The Homelite 540 has a plastic tank, and is an 88cc open port. The Homelite 8800 and John Deere 550CS are both closed port 88cc saws, and both have magnesium tanks. From what Ive noticed, the 8800/ 550CS are stronger runners, and run much cooler. They are both fine saws, I wish there was a stronger parts supply out there for them.
Of all things, M&M in Ashland had a NOS 540 piston and cylinder that sold on Ebay before I caught it. :msp_mad:

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

That's the one! Waited till the last 30 sec and bid. Some one else did the same thing but only went to $260......That's happened to me a lot! Nice to be the winner for a change.......Bob

One had just sold right here in Ohio for same $$$ before that one on feebay too. Figured it was 1 of the 2.


Thanks Jeff for info.

 

[njuke]

carb boot replacement

Hello- have my 540 UT-10612 taken apart and got the Stihl 060/064 to replace the flimsy Homelite factory boot. Would anyone share how it can be modified to fit and perform well? Also, finding a general shop manual would be useful if available. Would greatly appreciate it as am first time user of Alaskan mill waiting to clear out Hurricane Sandy damage- Thanks!

 

[Guido Salvage]

Hello- have my 540 UT-10612 taken apart and got the Stihl 060/064 to replace the flimsy Homelite factory boot. Would anyone share how it can be modified to fit and perform well? Also, finding a general shop manual would be useful if available. Would greatly appreciate it as am first time user of Alaskan mill waiting to clear out Hurricane Sandy damage- Thanks!

I went to a heater hose on mine as the NOS replacement boot tore very quickly. I would not use a 540 on a mill, they run too hard and parts are too hard to find to risk damage.

Where in Jersey are you?

 

[njuke]

I went to a heater hose on mine as the NOS replacement boot tore very quickly. I would not use a 540 on a mill, they run too hard and parts are too hard to find to risk damage.

Where in Jersey are you?

Schooley's Mountain in the Musconetcongs/ Jenny Jump range- western part of state toward the Delaware Water Gap. What other saw strong enough for these 14"+ birdcherries and other fallen hardwoods strewn about is recommended for the mill, yet won't be cost prohibitive.

 

[daryng]

not trying to resurrect an old thread but was surfing ebay and came across this. thought I might pass it on to you 540/8800 junkies...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/151181669129?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

$100 buy it now.... I'm not the seller. I'm just looking for a larger cc rebuilder.

 

[Farley9n]

I just bought it! I have some NOS top ends for it and a rear handle. What's not to like?

 

[daryng]

I just bought it! I have some NOS top ends for it and a rear handle. What's not to like?

good deal. I know little of old homelites and even I almost pulled the trigger on it. Parts availability is what held me back. good to know this piece of two stroke muscle will find a new home.

 

[Goose IBEW]

I saw a few lately, guy on the holdouts/facebook page said a pawn shop near him had one cheap. How does the 540/8800 compare against a new saw of similar size? My 410 is in very good operating condition, impresses most who see it in action. Hopefully my new job will fund some more saw collecting next summer. I'm playing catch up in the money dept right now.

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk

 

[Goose IBEW]

Homelite/Facebook page, damn auto correct.......

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[Guido Salvage]

I bought a 540 new in either 199o or 1991, so you are talking about at least 25 year old technology. As with any product, improvements have been made over the course of time. The 8800 corrected many of the shortcomings of the 540. As the last if the Homelite pro saws it has its place, but today's saws are typically lighter, faster revving and have better parts availability.

 

[Guido Salvage]

I just bought it! I have some NOS top ends for it and a rear handle. What's not to like?

I have 2 540's and an extra rear handle, but no P&C's. if you have a spare AF cover I would be interested.