Restore of a Homelite Super XL

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Jbels

Jbels

Member
Mar 6, 2014
63
Lima, NY
I was hoping some of you all would volunteer some info to help me work on a project of mine.


My father's birthday is coming up so I was thinking of restoring his father's Homelite Super XL that I have. He's mentioned getting it back since I have other saws of my own now, so I thought I would get it back into cutting shape. I'm not looking to go crazy, but I have been thinking of rebuilding the carb, new spark plug, putting a new drive sprocket on, and a new bar and chain as well as a good thorough cleaning.

Do you have any thoughts on what rebuild kits I should use, etc.? I'm no small engine buff so I don't know things like how much compression it has, and I don't know if the engine itself needs to be rebuilt. I don't want to dump a ton of money into it, just thought he would like to have it back and running to boot!

Thanks!
 
1. check compression - will tell if it needs ring(s), piston or cylinder (jug). If you don't have a gauge - Harbor Freight has cheap ones. Or hold thumb over spark plug hole and pull rope to get rough estimate. From what I've seen, there aren't many aftermarket parts - so, kinda expensive unless you luck into good, used ones.
You may not need above parts....first try an ounce of Marvel Mystery Oil (some say ATF works as well) in the spark plug hole for 2-3 days...may free stickiness of ring.
 
Is there existing problems with the saw? A good carb clean and tune up might be all that you need.
 
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You can rent a compression tester from Autozone if there is one near you. Somewhere around 140-150psi or higher is where you want to be for compression when the engine is cold. Get a compression reading, report back and we'll advise from there.
 
A new fuel filter element won't hurt. it's on the end of the line inside the tank. Also, fuel line itself, as they get soft & collapse. If you're going to do the carb, get a kit [ebay] You'll have to get a look at the old carb to see what it is, Walbro, Tillitson, etc. Take it apart, use the good [Gumout] carb cleaner, a really fine wire too to get all the passages clean. Just spraying the cleaner into the carb does nothing. A new plug, fresh gas, you should be good to go. Forgot, check for spark before you start, with the plug out and grounded to the head, and the switch on, you should have good spark. If not, and it has electronic ignition it might be pricey to fix.
 
Something you can do that will not cost anything.
Pull the muffler off the saw and slowly rotate the piston up and down with the spark plug out.
This will tell you if there is any scoring on the piston or cylinder. That would be vertical marks on the piston or cylinder caused from over heating.
If it is clean then chances are the saw will have good compression.

I do not remember if this particular model has a rubber boot for the intake. If it does check it real good also.

With the saw all together put a little fuel mix straight into the carb and see if it will fire off real quick.
 
Replace the fuel lines and filter
 
Not much I can add since I'm not too knowledgeable about small engine restorations. My dad still has his late-60's Homey Super XL the old blue Farm Saw. We've talked about restoring it and while a complete resto is not out of the question, I would hesitate for the simple matter that they're just not safe. I know to some its not a big deal, but the lack of a chain brake and the bare steel handle causing carpal tunnel was a big factor in my brother and I buying Dad a new Stihl several years back.

I suppose restoring the paint to factory new and just making sure it's running, with a sharp chain, maybe you can take it out to play once in a while. Those old Homies were tough powerful saws and I think you can easily pull a 24" bar and chain with all the torque those have.
 
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