How to get an old saw running again?

[bound]

I've got a couple older saws that haven't been started in ten-fifteen years. They were all gifts, and the previous owners all left them sitting around for years with gas and bar oil in them.
My question is this: What do I need to do to get them to start? They all were running saws before being left to sit for years. I've poured out what was left of the gas/two-part and rinsed out the gas tanks with clean gas. None will start, though. They're each getting spark, but I'm going to replace the plugs anyway. Do I need to do something like pull the carb and replace the gaskets, just because they're so old?
Thanks for any suggestions. The saws aren't anything special: Craftsman 3.7 PS, Homelite super 2 (the old one with the two triggers), and one that IS special, a Stihl 040.

 

[ShoerFast]

Welcome to the site!

Really nothing "needs" to be replaced, if it still works, or can work again.

But you may want to start thinking that your going to kit the carbs and service the points (if point controlled) Clean the daylights out of everything and especially the fuel system.

Pour in a spoon or 2 of fresh mix and see what ya got?

Chances are they will fire and run for a few, but then stop, repeat, till you find/fix the problems.

 

[bound]

The carbs on all of them seem remarkably clean, except for the 040, because the carb is out in the open. I had to clean up the outside just to get the throttle control to move. What can I use to clean out the gas tank? The tank on the 040 is awfully gunked up, but I'm not even sure if I should clean it, I'm afraid it would just loosen up the gunk and it'd all end up in the screen in the carb.
Thanks again. Really glad I found this site.

 

[Austin1]

Welcome you will probably end up with more saw's after joining this sight!
I just picked up a really nice 041 super that had never been used, but the dry climate I live in made most of the fuel lines brittle so I replaced all of them and now have a great saw. As to cleaning out the tank I would say replace all lines and fuel filter get a carb kit and clean the tank with carb cleaner the best you can and you should be good to go.If you are going to take it apart might as well steam clean the tank or even try a bottle brush.

 

[Poley4]

Welcome to AS! I just went thru that same process with an old Poulan 306A that belonged to my brother-in-law and had been sitting for 25 years or so. The first thing I did was pull the plug and see if it had spark, it didn't, my luck. So I pulled the flywheel and cleaned the points, now we have spark. I then like ShoerFast said and I poured a little fuel mix down the carb throat and gave the rope a couple of pulls and she fired. I got lucky on this saw because the fuel tank looked as if he put it up with an empty tank because the fuel tank was nice and clean. So I just replaced the fuel line, it was in pieces in the bottom of the tank, filled her up, put another shot of gas down the carb, and she runs like a top. I will probably will put a carb kit in it and replace the points and condenser, even though it runs pretty good now. It was a lot of fun getting something running after sitting for so long and it beat sitting in my recliner on a nice Sunday afternoon!

 

[Austin1]

Welcome to AS! I just went thru that same process with an old Poulan 306A that belonged to my brother-in-law and had been sitting for 25 years or so. The first thing I did was pull the plug and see if it had spark, it didn't, my luck. So I pulled the flywheel and cleaned the points, now we have spark. I then like ShoerFast said and I poured a little fuel mix down the carb throat and gave the rope a couple of pulls and she fired. I got lucky on this saw because the fuel tank looked as if he put it up with an empty tank because the fuel tank was nice and clean. So I just replaced the fuel line, it was in pieces in the bottom of the tank, filled her up, put another shot of gas down the carb, and she runs like a top. I will probably will put a carb kit in it and replace the points and condenser, even though it runs pretty good now. It was a lot of fun getting something running after sitting for so long and it beat sitting in my recliner on a nice Sunday afternoon!

Sorry for stealing a thread but what bar do you run on that 306a? and also that saw seams to be a monster for torque!
All I can find here are Oregon D176 pattern bar's It is for a friend of mine that uses it once a year and he is looking for a cheaper 18'' bar.

 

[16:1mix]

bound,

Welcome! You have landed in Chainsawville, enjoy!
I share your aflliction with old saw stuff, 'cept I paid money for mine!

The guys are correct, clean is the byword and you cant have enough of it. My last two auction finds got the same treatment and are both in running condition after cleaning the carb / fueltank and breaker point ignition. Just be careful when doing disassembly to pay special attention for anything that may jump out when removing parts. Springs, pins, etc seem to just fly out when given the opportunity. If you are extra careful the carb gaskets may even survive....or not. I always try this method first just to get the engine to run before spending carb kit money on an unknown saw.

Best wishes!

 

[Wood Hick]

All good info. so far, you should have her going in no time. Heres a hint from me, maybe others do this as well. When I am cleaning/disassembling a saw I am not familiar with, I take digital pics as I go, before I tear something into 9 pieces, I take a pic. Pay close attention to the order that parts are in in an assembly. If you reassemble in a reverse order, even one little part, she may not run. When you get her cooking, just delete the pics!

 

[Poley4]

Sorry for stealing a thread but what bar do you run on that 306a? and also that saw seams to be a monster for torque!
All I can find here are Oregon D176 pattern bar's It is for a friend of mine that uses it once a year and he is looking for a cheaper 18'' bar.

Austin1,
When I picked up the saw it didn't have a bar on. Not wanting to spend any money on an unproven saw, I rummaged thru some old bars that were hanging up in my Dad's shop and I found a 15" hard nose bar that fit. I took it out for the first time this past Saturday, seems to run pretty good. If it turns out to be ok, I will likely be in the market for a new bar also. I haven't had a chance to do much research on what bars are available yet.

 

[andrethegiant70]

FYI, the Stihl 040 is a true classic and a great saw. If you don't mind the weight it will cut firewood for you for years to come. The Homey is a bit of a "dime a dozen" saw, but that only proves that they were tough as nails. The Craftsman, well it depends on what model 3.7 it is....they sold some pretty forgettable 3.7s that are all rebadged models of someone else's saws Roeper, Lombard, etc). Craftsman did rebadge the Poulan 300 series saws for a while and if it is one of those, it is worth having. I can't say that they are worth a lot, but they are durable, perform well, and people think highly of them. They are also, far and away, higher quality products than today's Poulans.

 

[bound]

Wow, thanks for all the replies. I figured that it was going to come down to flat-out stripping them down and cleaning each and every bit. Luckily I enjoy that sort of thing. Just wish that I had manuals for them, would make me feel a bit better. Oddly enough, the 040 seems most likely to require the least work.
I just got a very helpful PM from another member of the site with the number of a local guy who seems to be a Stihl specialist, so I should be in good shape between him and the Stihl dealer down the street. Funny having this cool saw fall in my lap after giving all the Huskies at college so much lovin'.
Funny mention of the new Poulans, I've got one that there doesn't seem to be any record of. It's a 5300 Timbermaster. That one's been sitting around in MY basement for a couple of years. Got tired of breaking the pulley pawls. Anyone know of a metal replacement pulley and pawls that would fit? Been searching the web and this site, but there's almost no mention of this saw anywhere, even acre's.
These saws aren't great, but I hate having them just sitting.
Thanks again.

 

[zart1953]

Getting an old saw running

I recently purchased a SEARS Roper 3.7 PS on eBay. The saw was advertised as not having any spark. As it turns out, the spark plug was fouled. I tore it down and spent a couple of hours cleaning all of the gunk that had accumulated over 20+ years and put it all back together and it runs lke a champ!

I'm not sure why andrethegiant70 puts down the roper 3.7 PS, because it's a powerful saw and is a real work horse once you replace the PS chain with a regular chisel chain. It's a real deal when it only cost <$50.00 and it doesn't bogg down when you bury the 18" bar. It may not be as lite as the newer saws, but it always starts and has a manual oiler in addition to the automatic oiler.

As far as cleaning the gas tank and carb, a good can of carb cleaner should help to disolve the gunk and clean all of the orifices. I actually disassembled the carb and cleaned each of the parts and then put it back together. I did not need a carb kit as the old gaskets were still pliable. One thing is sure, they don't build them like they used to!

Good luck
Art
:chainsawguy:

 

[thomas72]

It could be the 3700 Poulan with the Power sharp which is a great saw.

 

[zart1953]

Getting an old saw running

Thomas72,
It's the good old ROPER. I attached a couple of pictures. I'm telling you it's a great saw and has a lot of power. Just a bit on the heavy side.

Art

 

[RaisedByWolves]

Hey Zart, I have half a dozen of thos saws, not a bad unit if I do say so!



The biggest problem with them is that they say Craftsman on the side, that and the fact that no body will give them a look.



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