Homelite C-51, ignition, bar selection

Hello, just created my account.
Decided to come down from lurking in the woods to the warm and tidy campfire that is arboristsite.

I just recently purchased a nonrunning Homelite C-51 convertable drive for $10.

The two main problems with it are it has no spark, and the 20" windsor bar was bent into an 'S'. Ive read as many homelite c-51 forums on here as I could, and haven't come across these questions. If there is a forum or forums that address these please point me to them:

1. The piston and head look great. If the ignition system needs replacing is it worth buying an electronic ignition conversion kit? Has anyone had trouble with them? Are they reliable? I have yet to really trouble shoot the ignition system but if I did need to buy new parts I am undecided on whether to go original, or go with the computer chip.

2. I originally bought this saw to be a small limbing saw. However, when I learned more about the this 77cc monster I figured maybe I should take advantage of it's capabilities. Homelite says these saws can take a 30" bar. I've also read on this site that these saws have lots of torque but run low rpms. Does anyone use a 30" bar on theirs? Can it handle it with the proper chain? eBay seems to have a good stock of 30" bars and 25" bars for these saws. I already have a working stihl with a 20" bar.

3. Has anyone had luck straightening a bent guide bar?

I live in the Midwest on 5 acres with lots of trees and plan on volunteering on a local conservancy. We don't get huge diameter trees here but I'd rather be prepared for the unknown. That's why I'm considering the 30" bar.

Any professional advice is much appreciated! Thank you!

 

Did you try posting this in the chainsaw forum or in the Homelite thread in “chainsaw sticky” area? I recall seeing a very similar post over there not too long ago but wasn't sure if it was you.

 

I used to run an c5 and c52 which are about the same. I liked the old 22in and 25in solid nose bars for comfort and they pulled them pretty well. I had a long sprocketnose bar pretty sure it was 36in but i rarely needed to use it and the c52 didn't pull it near as well as the shorter solid nose bars i had.
I remember replacing points on mine, which were the same points common to some other popular engines of that era. I would guess ignition parts can still be found for that saw maybe from a member here or ebay.
Probably find quite a bit of info doing a search here to.

 

Yeah, I made this post first then realized I didn't put it in the right place. I couldn't figure out how to delete it, so I just copied it to the chainsaw forum.

 

The Chainsaw Lady sent me a 22 in solid nose Windsor that looks great on it. I cleaned the points and got spark. I rebuilt the carb but it seems to be starving for fuel. I bought a new fuel filter to see if that's what's wrong but have yet to install it.