SP80/81 differences?

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McCulloch sticky thread may produce more replies. All I know is second hand - not sure why there would be much of a weight difference. The 80 may have thick rings as opposed to the 81’s thin rings. 80 may have a 3 shoe clutch instead of 2. 81 has divided transfers (and supposedly significantly more hp) whereas the 80 has open transfers. 80 might have a metal oil pump instead of plastic. Not sure but one or both may have a pivoting linkage for manual pump. Both have point ignition. SP81E had a two piece electronic set up that might have added a little weight.

Ron
 
McCulloch sticky thread may produce more replies. All I know is second hand - not sure why there would be much of a weight difference. The 80 may have thick rings as opposed to the 81’s thin rings. 80 may have a 3 shoe clutch instead of 2. 81 has divided transfers (and supposedly significantly more hp) whereas the 80 has open transfers. 80 might have a metal oil pump instead of plastic. Not sure but one or both may have a pivoting linkage for manual pump. Both have point ignition. SP81E had a two piece electronic set up that might have added a little weight.

Ron
Awesome thanks. Didn’t see the sticky thread.
 
Two differences that are notable, the SP80 saws used a different piston than the other 82cc saws, the only other one with a different piston was the very last version, PM8200.

The other was the SP80 had one large open transfer on each side of the cylinder, the later SP81 and others had a divider in the transfer. Some early SP81's had the same open ports as the SP80. McCulloch was not always particularly clean in the model distinctions.

SP80

DSC06883.JPG

SP81 & others, this one happens to be a PM805 but the 81, 81E, and 850 were the same.

DSC02439.JPG

Regarding weight, I can't say that I would notice any difference. In terms of performance, I think the 81 has a bit more pep but the ones I have are in better shape including one with a NOS cylinder and piston.

Any of the 82 cc saws are desirable, the SP81 and later have a few more pistons available. Joeymt33 came to see me a few years ago and brought his, we added mine and came up with a pretty good group of saws. I need to take another photo as I have added a few more since this was taken, mine are the longer row.

DSC02546.JPG

Mark
 
Two differences that are notable, the SP80 saws used a different piston than the other 82cc saws, the only other one with a different piston was the very last version, PM8200.

The other was the SP80 had one large open transfer on each side of the cylinder, the later SP81 and others had a divider in the transfer. Some early SP81's had the same open ports as the SP80. McCulloch was not always particularly clean in the model distinctions.

SP80

View attachment 639711

SP81 & others, this one happens to be a PM805 but the 81, 81E, and 850 were the same.

View attachment 639713

Regarding weight, I can't say that I would notice any difference. In terms of performance, I think the 81 has a bit more pep but the ones I have are in better shape including one with a NOS cylinder and piston.

Any of the 82 cc saws are desirable, the SP81 and later have a few more pistons available. Joeymt33 came to see me a few years ago and brought his, we added mine and came up with a pretty good group of saws. I need to take another photo as I have added a few more since this was taken, mine are the longer row.

View attachment 639709

Mark
Wow. Nice group of saws. I was reading up on these saws last weekend when I was sick in bed and they sparked my interest. I have 372xp’s and 038 mags but wanted something with a little more torque to run a larger bar like a 28”. Would you be willing to part with any of them?
 
Two differences that are notable, the SP80 saws used a different piston than the other 82cc saws, the only other one with a different piston was the very last version, PM8200.

The other was the SP80 had one large open transfer on each side of the cylinder, the later SP81 and others had a divider in the transfer. Some early SP81's had the same open ports as the SP80. McCulloch was not always particularly clean in the model distinctions.

SP80

View attachment 639711

SP81 & others, this one happens to be a PM805 but the 81, 81E, and 850 were the same.

View attachment 639713

Regarding weight, I can't say that I would notice any difference. In terms of performance, I think the 81 has a bit more pep but the ones I have are in better shape including one with a NOS cylinder and piston.

Any of the 82 cc saws are desirable, the SP81 and later have a few more pistons available. Joeymt33 came to see me a few years ago and brought his, we added mine and came up with a pretty good group of saws. I need to take another photo as I have added a few more since this was taken, mine are the longer row.

View attachment 639709

Mark
Wow I'm supper jelous.J very nice collection. I would love to have just a couple of them
 
I like my SP81 since it has a NOS piston and cylinder. I also have a PM850 that is in good condition that I don't mind taking to the woods. The PM800, PM805, and PM8200 have the best mufflers for noise reduction. In terms of performance, any saw in good condition will be impressive.

Mark
Thanks Mark. I might have figured the condition would play one of the most important factors. What’s a good compression reading for a SP81?
 
130 to 150 PSI will still run and cut well. 150 to 180 will be noticeably stronger. I've heard some reports of some at 200+, a saw like that would be downright scary.

Mark

Have you had a chance to put a compression gauge on the one I sent?
 

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