Dolmar 166

[cowroy]

Well I'm sure there are several people who remember the whole deal of me buying a 166 a couple years ago. Well having some frustrating issues from time to time would leave the project idles for sometimes months. Just to let you know, yes I got the saw for a good deal, but I've almost doubled what I paid in other little odds and ends. Rare saws also have rare parts. First little hiccup was the fuel elbow for the fuel tank. Leeha or Mr Harvey was so gracious to send me an elbow. Unfortunately it does not stay in the hole either, so I haven't figured out exactly what I'm gonna do there. I'd really like to put some type of grommet in there and eliminate the elbow. Next it had a lean issue that was a carb issue followed by the muffler splitting and having no muffler gasket for it. Once I realized the lean issue was the carb and needles, I ordered new needles which had to come from Walbro in Japan which took 8 weeks. When they got here the needles would still back themselves out even with new springs. I was done with the carb issues so I started looking for a new carb. I was pretty sure all WB carbs had the same mount and since there was probably no way I could source a new WB-17A then my thoughts were to find a fully adjustable replacement. I took a chance and bought a WB-3 carb that is commonly used for cart applications. Unfortunately when it arrived I realized it had no choke and wasn't drilled for it either. I knew it would be a stretch, but took it down to my local machine shop and luckily for me they have a guy that loves little projects like this. He drilled the holes and the whole choke mechanism fits and works perfect. I still wasn't sure it would run right because a WB-3 has a little bigger Venturi than OEM. One other note, the bottom plate elbow on the WB-3 is too big to fit in the saw body, so I had to use the old one off the WB-17. After all the little troubles it is finally back together and running. The great part about the fully adjustable carb is it can be tuned out of the wood. No check ball issues. Here it is running a semi chisel chain that's sharp, just not as fast as full chisel. Just glad to have it together and running.

 

[Four Paws]

Glad you worked through the issues and we're determined enough to get it running! It sounds great!

 

[Lee H]

Glad i was able to help. Just so you know there are a couple
new carbs on German ebay. I bought a couple to have. Not
sure why the fuel elbow won't stay in unless the hole in the
tank is worn. Fuel tanks and parts in general are very hard
to find for a 166. it's much easier to find a saw than parts
for them. Back to the carbs. I just remove the governor and
block it off with something then reinstall. Now it's tuneable
on the bench and makes for a much better saw.

 

[cowroy]

Thanks for the tip on the carb Mr. H! The fuel elbow certainly puzzles me to. When I installed it, I had the crankcase off of it to be sure it was installed correctly. I'm gonna take the tank back off of it this week to get it right, one way or another. I'm gonna give the carb I have a go just because so far it seems to be doing well. I'll definitely buy one if it gives any issues.

 

[cowroy]

Here is another video in a much harder oak log.

 

[exSW]

Dang,wish our machinists could make 'em pull like that.

Exactly where I was and what I was doing Saturday afternoon.
Unfortunately I wasn't operating you alls Show pony. Just two raggety GEs and bunch of salt loads.


It doesn't get good till about the 5:00 minute mark.

 

[cowroy]

Well buddy, I'm furloughed right now and have been since May 1st. I don't have much good to say about RRing at the present, but it is what it is. However, that is a cool video and it is definitely puttin in the work right there.

 

[exSW]

Well buddy, I'm furloughed right now and have been since May 1st. I don't have much good to say about RRing at the present,.

Just like the rest of us brother......

 

[Iron.and.bark]

Sounds like you've had a trial with it. Uncle Lee is dead on the money about easier to buy another saw than parts. Certainly practices what he preaches

The carb is a right pita with that govenor, also helps hide issues. Floods the saw at wot, but can still run lean at 3/4.

 

[cowroy]

Cleaned it up a little and took some better pics. Now I'm on the hunt for an m3-3/4" screw to use for the idle adjustment. The factory ear does not reach high enough to hit the screw that's in the saw itself, but the carb body is tapped for an m3 screw. I've found a 5/16" one at ace hardware, however it's not long enough. I also picked up a full chisel chain for it today. I love how unlike Stihl it has not only a 36" usable bar, but it actually has a 37-1/4" usable bar. Anybody know the part number for the K&N air filter? It could obviously use a new one of those too. I thought about just getting one of the green foam filters for it.

 

[LBracing]

Any chance you would consider selling it ?

 

[cowroy]

Any chance you would consider selling it ?

I wish I had a dollar for every time I was asked that. [emoji1] I'm probably never gonna sell it, but it never hurts to ask. After having the opportunity to run several old muscle saws, I personally like this one the best. I'm pretty sure I've figured out where this saw was sold new here in my area and it's still a really cool old dealership. I think it'd be best to hang out with me right here in East, TN for the remainder of its days. I've got some work for it coming up that it might not reach through. Hope to get some good video footage with the better chain on it.

 

[Iron.and.bark]

I wish I had a dollar for every time I was asked that. [emoji1] I'm probably never gonna sell it, but it never hurts to ask. After having the opportunity to run several old muscle saws, I personally like this one the best. I'm pretty sure I've figured out where this saw was sold new here in my area and it's still a really cool old dealership. I think it'd be best to hang out with me right here in East, TN for the remainder of its days. I've got some work for it coming up that it might not reach through. Hope to get some good video footage with the better chain on it.

I managed to score one myself that came from my local area aswell, not something that happens to often!