Homelite Super XL Automatic - worth taking a chance on?

[StGaston]

Local guy is selling a Homelite Super XL Automatic for $60. Ad states "motor spins free with good compression but I've never tried to start it." Besides pulling the cord to check compression, what else should I look for? I'm assuming he won't let me take it apart to look at the piston. If it has good compression, it it worth taking a chance for $60? Thanks

 

[redneckhillbilly]

bring a splash of some mix with you, dump it down the carb and try to fire it up, I would negotiate a lower price before hand if you plan on talking him down though, I'd bet if it pops off, he isnt going to budge on his price easily or at all.

 

[Maintenance Chief]

Local guy is selling a Homelite Super XL Automatic for $60. Ad states "motor spins free with good compression but I've never tried to start it." Besides pulling the cord to check compression, what else should I look for? I'm assuming he won't let me take it apart to look at the piston. If it has good compression, it it worth taking a chance for $60? Thanks

The muffler is pretty easy to remove and see the piston on the xl saws.

 

[Duane(Pa)]

$60 is about par for the course. I cut about a cubic mile of dead red oak back in the late 70’s with a SXLA. I’m done with my trips down memory lane in less than 20 minutes these days. The vibration is off the hook. Didn’t know any better back in the day. If you need a saw for serious cutting, (heating fuel) save yourself the trouble of messing with something so outdated.

 

[hacskaroly]

Local guy is selling a Homelite Super XL Automatic for $60. Ad states "motor spins free with good compression but I've never tried to start it." Besides pulling the cord to check compression, what else should I look for? I'm assuming he won't let me take it apart to look at the piston. If it has good compression, it it worth taking a chance for $60? Thanks

I got a SuperXL a few years ago from an antique store, paid $65 for it. I pulled on the pull cord to see the compression and the recoil didn't go back in. Gave it a chance. Took it home and cleaned the recoil and it worked fine. Put some fuel in it and within 7-8 pulls (from being dry) it fired right up. I was excited about this saw, I liked the colors (blue) and it sounded like an older hot rod while it idled. It won't be a daily driver, but it will be one I can have fun with when I want to, or refurbish it after I get done with my McCullochs. The older saws are fun to dig into and see how things were done years ago compared to today. There are plenty of parts and aftermarket gasket kits if needed. I think $60 is worth it even if it needed some work.

If the one you are looking at is like the pic here, two bolts and you should be able to see the piston:

 

[Outback]

The ones with the solid block "header" exhaust is the one you want for true hot rod sound. Calling it a muffler just isn't true.

 

[Sloughfoot]

Complete 50 year old saws in decent shape are worth $60 if they don't run.

 

[hacskaroly]

Upon closer look, my saw has the muffler and it still sounds cool when idling, but like what @Outback said, if you get the header exhaust - you are in for a treat (wear hearing protection!).

 

[Sloughfoot]

Upon closer look, my saw has the muffler and it still sounds cool when idling, but like what @Outback said, if you get the header exhaust - you are in for a treat (wear hearing protection!).

View attachment 462002

That old saw has a front handle like a carnival ride.

 

[Coupe]

I have six of the old girls sitting in my shed all run eccept
one that is a parts saw. And yes everyone you are right
wear hearing protection and you will be in for a treat.