Homelite 7-29 rehab

Decided finally to dive into this to figure out why this saw has been running so poorly. I mean it couldn't hold an idle, smoked like a chimney and wasn't particularly strong. I figured the seals were bad so I started with the clutch side and found it to be rather oily. Problem is the bearing is loose and the PTO bearing is a ball bearing so that is very bad news. I could wiggle the clutch end and watch recoil pully move up and down. I already have the saw tore completely down and that bearing is certainly toasted.

I have a couple feelers out for new parts, but I am wondering something else:

I see Bryce has 2 5-30 crankcases with cranks for sale in good condition. Assuming the bearings are tight, would these cases interchange with the 7-29? Is it important if the saw is a 5-30 or 5-30N? My guess is it would work.

I hope someone here could answer this. If I had an IPL for the 5-30 I could figure it out, too.

Thanks, Chris B.

Obligatory pic, before teardown:

God I love those old Homelites.

Good luck!

Matt

sacfaller said:

God I love those old Homelites.

Good luck!

Matt

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Yes, they are pretty awesome. I sure know I wouldn't want to swing this one around all day, maybe if I moved up to the 9 series.

I've already found one major difference between the 5-30 and the 7-29 cranks. The wrist pin boss on the rod is twice as wide on the 7-29. There are 2 bearings in mine! I think you have to move up to an antique tractor to find a boss that wide. It's at least an inch!

Chris B.

Chris, I can't help with info or parts,
But good luck with the project. Very
nice saw. I have one thats needs a total
resto so post some pic's along the way.


Lee

I'll do what I can Lee for photos. I'm not restoring this one. It's pretty clean and original as is. Just want it to run right.

Did a quick google search for the PTO bearing 5205. Looks to be fairly common.

BTW Lee, do you know of a source to find needle rollers (for the rod big end) by size? I seriously doubt I'll find the original Homelite part.

Chris B.

Chris, I have bought many bearings from
Action bearing in Boston Ma. I can get you
there number in a little bit.


Lee

leeha said:

Chris, I have bought many bearings from
Action bearing in Boston Ma. I can get you
there number in a little bit.


Lee

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Sure Lee, that would be appreciated. Do you think they can get loose needle rollers? I do have a few sets for my 2100s I should probably measure before I get too far ahead of myself.

Chris B.

Chris, I don't have one for the 5-30 but I do have IPL's for the 5-20 and 7-29 if you need them.

Mark can you email the 7-29 file? I could see if I had bearing here to fit Chris's saw. Also the 475 your working on what model of pioneer would that be? All my numbers are for pioneer.
Bob

Madsaw said:

Mark can you email the 7-29 file? I could see if I had bearing here to fit Chris's saw. Also the 475 your working on what model of pioneer would that be? All my numbers are for pioneer.
Bob

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Hey Bob-

A lot of those older Pioneer numbers were made modern by adding the prefix 507, if you didn't know that already.

The 475 really didn't have a Pioneer equivalent since they were a Partner/Jonsered/Poulan trifecta saw having been designed primarily by Partner (7700).

Jacob J. said:

Hey Bob-

A lot of those older Pioneer numbers were made modern by adding the prefix 507, if you didn't know that already.

The 475 really didn't have a Pioneer equivalent since they were a Partner/Jonsered/Poulan trifecta saw having been designed primarily by Partner (7700).

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Thanks JJ,
That explains why I had no luck matching numbers. I will get you a copy of them part numbers that came in that box soon. If there is any more goodies in that box I will ship them out to you. I added a carlton 24 bar and chain to the 372 now. Just loven that saw.
Thanks again
Bob

Madsaw said:

Thanks JJ,
That explains why I had no luck matching numbers. I will get you a copy of them part numbers that came in that box soon. If there is any more goodies in that box I will ship them out to you. I added a carlton 24 bar and chain to the 372 now. Just loven that saw.
Thanks again
Bob

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I'll look around and see if I can't find a full-wrap handle for the 346. I'll bet I can- I'd bet good money once you have that one in your hands it'll be the only saw you run.

Modifiedmark said:

Chris, I don't have one for the 5-30 but I do have IPL's for the 5-20 and 7-29 if you need them.

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Mark,

Thanks for the offer, but I have 2 versions of the 7-29 IPL and I don't yet have a 5-20.

What do you think your buddies would have said if I whipped out this 7-29 to block up that tree.

Chris B.

Madsaw said:

Mark can you email the 7-29 file? I could see if I had bearing here to fit Chris's saw. Also the 475 your working on what model of pioneer would that be? All my numbers are for pioneer.
Bob

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Bob,

If you want to look up part numbers, I'll list them right here.

73557 needle bearing - need 2
71164 main bearing
50033 retaining ring
74139 cyl gasket
72969 int gasket
72206 needle rollers
72514 clutch drum bearing - need 2
71167 rod bearing

Interesting enough, the needle rollers #72206 for the rod big end also fit the 9-series saws.

Chris B.

Modifiedmark said:

Chris, I don't have one for the 5-30 but I do have IPL's for the 5-20 and 7-29 if you need them.

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Could you email me the 7-29 file? I've been looking for a 5-30 IPL for some time now too.

Good news. I found every part that I need, plus a set of rings. Joyce has some of it, Hawkins has the rest! Even found 3 sets of the lower rod needles. Never thought I'd dig that up.

Here's a couple of interesting shots:

The 7-29 and 990G together. Homelite came a long way in the few years between the release of these 2 saws.


Next, you have an 038Mag piston on top of the 7-29 piston. The 990 jug on top of the 7-29 cylinder, next to the 990 piston. The 7-29 piston is gigantic and I saw that Homelite did away with the goofy high dome that was in the 26LCS.

nice bar on the 29. how about a close up of the logo. what kind of chain is on it?

Rick,

That's Oregon 9/16" chipper, barely used. I cut it down from a 50" loop.

I'll get a close-up of that logo next chance I get. What it says, however, is:
'Oregon, Armor Tip, Saw Bar'. Got it from Joyce for a song.

I can't wait to get my parts and put this monster back together.

Chris B.

Chris-

Who is this "Hawkins" that you're getting parts from?

Hawkins and Milner, in Missouri.

Chris B.