Homelite 330 Chain Brake Info Needed.

[Den]

Just picked up a clean Homelite 330. Would be nice to have the chain brake off of a 330SL.

From the photo's and schematics I've found, I have not been able to determine if I need to have the right side cover(sprocket cover) off of the SL model to install the chain brake assembly on my saw, or if I can use my existing right side cover.
Also don't know if I'll need the clutch, clutch drum, and sprocket from the SL.

I know I'll need the top cover, handgaurd with lever, brake band, and brake band screw to convert mine.
Just not sure if I'll need the other above mentioned items.
Does anyone have any first hand knowledge and experience with this issue?

As a side note, this saw doesn't seem as chinsy and poorly made as some people suggest. Sure the top cover is plastic, but the rest seems to be magnesium. Construction seems hefty, and controls are well laid out. Can't wait to fix the carb boot, try it out in wood, and post some action photo's.

 

[HarleyT]

A nightmare to work on. Can you find an ipl of the model with a chain brake? I have not seen one yet.

 

[undee70ss]

A nightmare to work on. Can you find an ipl of the model with a chain brake? I have not seen one yet.

The IPL’s show both the regular and chain brake.
https://www.leonschainsawpartsandrepair.com/parts-diagrams.html

 

[undee70ss]

The 330 was definitely not one of Homelite’s shining stars. Early ones were plagued with issues.

 

[a. palmer jr.]

I've changed several intake boots on the 330 saws, surprisingly they are still available. If engine mounts are mushy it's good to change them.

 

[Den]

This saw, and both of its guide bars and chains are in remarkably clean condition. I acquired all of it from the original owner.
He doesn't appear to have used it very much. The fellow lived in the same small suburban house since the 60's, and has a 1 acre yard.
Not sure if this is an early saw or not.

 

[Den]

Still can't tell from Leon's 330SL diagram if I can utilize my existing right side cover or clutch drum when converting it to a chain brake model. The part numbers are not confirming anything.
Undee70ss thanks for the great link.

 

[HarleyT]

You might just try to find the chain brake parts online, I doubt that you would find any.

It would save you some trouble.

 

[undee70ss]

Still can't tell from Leon's 330SL diagram if I can utilize my existing right side cover or clutch drum when converting it to a chain brake model. The part numbers are not confirming anything.
Undee70ss thanks for the great link.

Covers are the same. If clutch drum is original, it’s also the same. The only parts needed for a brake are here.

 

[Den]

What I need to do is replace the spark plug boot, carb kit, fuel line, fuel filter, run a compression test, sharpen chain, and start it up.
If I like how it performs in wood, I'll proceed to the next step of gathering the brake parts.

 

[HarleyT]

Spark plug boot? Or the intake boot?

 

[Den]

Wooops, your right HarleyT. I need to replace the carb intake boot...not the spark plug boot.

 

[a. palmer jr.]

Spark plug boot a little easier to change..

 

[Beetlejuice]

I moved up to the 360 Homey. Seems to handle longer bar better than 330.. I've seen & owned (4) 330's and haven't seen a brake on any of them. Fact is I only own one saw that has a brake.. My view is, carb boot? Yes...brake? Naaa. And get 2 or 3 boots.. If you use the saw consistently you'll be replacing them every other year.

 

[a. palmer jr.]

You'd replace them a lot less if your A/V stuff is more solid and not spongy.

 

[Beetlejuice]

And I agree.. It's been kinda a race to see which wear out first.. I can preach, but following my advice is a difficult chore.. I'm terrible on maintenance

 

[Den]

Jeepers Beetlejuice, I thought the intake boots lasted considerably longer than a couple of years with regular use. I thought maybe ten years with regular use.
Not to hi-jack my own thread, but do all of the Homelites with intake boots (330, 350, 360, 450, 550, 650, and 750) go through intake boots this rapidly?

 

[undee70ss]

Jeepers Beetlejuice, I thought the intake boots lasted considerably longer than a couple of years with regular use. I thought maybe ten years with regular use.
Not to hi-jack my own thread, but do all of the Homelites with intake boots (330, 350, 360, 450, 550, 650, and 750) go through intake boots this rapidly?

The boots wear out faster if the anti vibration mounts are bad. They will last a long time with tight A/V mounts.

 

[a. palmer jr.]

You gotta remember that the 330 is about 30 years old or so, so the original boots lasted quite a while. Introduced in 1981.