HOMELITE Homelite Thread

[usmcbuckwild]

Well, went through and reset everything. Took the pickup apart, cleaned it all up, re-soldered every connection, cut down sparkplug wire about 3/8” and and ensured proper connection. Disassembled the points, cleaned it all again, reset points again, added a touch of “liquid electrical tape” anywhere the wires/connections might touch the case. Had the flywheel on and off about 10 times and the flywheel nut was a little hincky so I got a new one (3/8-24 for those wondering).
Fired right up on 3rd pull. Revved right up. I didn’t have a chance to really test it out.

Curiosity: can I advance the timing just a touch? It really feels like there is power left to be harnessed.

 

[fossil]

Curiosity: can I advance the timing just a touch? It really feels like there is power left to be harnessed.

I don't have an XL-12 but most of my older Homelites of that era seem to be pushing the timing as is. I find they can bite back more than any other saws of that time..
If you want to try a small increment you could increase the point gap to .018" This will decrease the dwell time (time the points are closed allowing the coil to build a charge) and the plug will fire sooner. A few degrees is about what you would get. The downside is the time to build a charge in the coil is reduced but I haven't seen any issues doing that.
If more is required you would have to rotate the flywheel in the counter clockwise direction.
You can fiddle with that but having a degree wheel on the crank would allow you to know how many degrees you are moving from stock settings. The repair manual says the correct stock timing with the points set at .o15" is 30 degrees BTDC

Setting the flywheel key in a vice and filing a bit off the back side will allow you to rotate the flywheel counter clockwise to the extent you filed off. A little goes a long. Mark the key while it sits in the crankshaft so you only file off what contacts the flywheel slot. That way if you want to return to stock settings you can just reverse the key.

 

[usmcbuckwild]

I don't have an XL-12 but most of my older Homelites of that era seem to be pushing the timing as is. I find they can bite back more than any other saws of that time..
If you want to try a small increment you could increase the point gap to .018" This will decrease the dwell time (time the points are closed allowing the coil to build a charge) and the plug will fire sooner. A few degrees is about what you would get. The downside is the time to build a charge in the coil is reduced but I haven't seen any issues doing that.
If more is required you would have to rotate the flywheel in the counter clockwise direction.
You can fiddle with that but having a degree wheel on the crank would allow you to know how many degrees you are moving from stock settings. The repair manual says the correct stock timing with the points set at .o15" is 30 degrees BTDC

Setting the flywheel key in a vice and filing a bit off the back side will allow you to rotate the flywheel counter clockwise to the extent you filed off. A little goes a long. Mark the key while it sits in the crankshaft so you only file off what contacts the flywheel slot. That way if you want to return to stock settings you can just reverse the key.

I read about the change in points gap, but I chose to file approx 0.015 off the key instead. I did exactly as you described (just saw this post, so great minds think alike i guess) and haven’t been able to fire it up yet. Will advise as to the results when i get the chance to run it.

 

[fossil]

Looking forward to how it goes. .015 is quite aggressive.

 

[usmcbuckwild]

Looking forward to how it goes. .015 is quite aggressive.

I read on a forum (not here or AS) that that was the max you could go on these old saws. Also recomended going 1 step colder on plug when doing so.

I’d like to pride myself on my hand filing and measuring abilities, but I think it’s a bit less than 0.015, probably closer to 0.012.

 

[usmcbuckwild]

So it runs really well! Had to sharpen the chain; it looked like he was cutting gravel with it. Spent some time adjusting the carb and playing around with the idle, got it purring pretty well. It cuts pretty darn well for an old 50cc saw, couldn’t quite keep up with the 028 Wood Boss (not really fair as the WB has a MM and good tune) but it surprised me.

Thanks everyone for all your help!

 

[usmcbuckwild]

Not mine but I figured I would pass this on to you Homelite folks:

https://raleigh.craigslist.org/atq/d/vintage-homelite-chainsaw/6470310655.html

 

[Drptrch]

A newly added 5-20 Bow

Erik

 

[Al Smith]

The repair manual says the correct stock timing with the points set at .o15" is 30 degrees BTDC.

FWIW the Lombard AL-42,Comango etc being a Homelite take off where also set at 30 degrees ahead .For that matter some 10 series Macs see some improvement at around 30 too .Much more than that causes the engines to kick back rather briskly .

 

[Drptrch]

Modesto, Ca

https://modesto.craigslist.org/clt/d/homelite-xp-1100-chainsaw/6507993559.html


Erik

 

[KYsawman]

Just picked up a haul of homelites , a model 17 l-a, three 330,s and an xl -12. Pictures to follow. If anyone needs 330 parts I am not going to mess with them. One he said is a runner and the other two can be put together to make one.

 

[67L36Driver]

Modesto, Ca

https://modesto.craigslist.org/clt/d/homelite-xp-1100-chainsaw/6507993559.html


Erik

Someone really, really needs to snag that pup!

 

[KYsawman]

Just picked up a haul of homelites , a model 17 l-a, three 330,s and an xl -12. Pictures to follow. If anyone needs 330 parts I am not going to mess with them. One he said is a runner and the other two can be put together to make one.

 

[KYsawman]

I thought this was an interesting find on the xl-12.

 

[KYsawman]

Now with latest haul the other ones won’t be as lonely!

 

[Hoggwood]

Good Friday.

 

[Gizzard]

Not any special homelite model, but saw is in great shape. Thought would give this thread a bump. @Steve "Homer" run great today.

 

[Steve]

Good to see it cutting! Ever get anyware on the 450?

 

[Gizzard]

Good to see it cutting! Ever get anyware on the 450?

Ahhh same old story, keeping busy with other people's stuff. Took the muffler off to look inside and piston/cyl look great and compression test was very good. Cleaned up the muffler and prepped it for some paint and far as I have got. I spent more time on the XL12, but may let it sit the shelf as you mentioned. It's piston/cyl is not bad compared to others that have messed with. One of bolts had backed out from case half behind clutch and was broke off. Part of clutch was busted and gone too. I have a pile of homelite carcasses so just be deciding what I want to do.

 

[Drptrch]

Can anybody ID the red one ?
The other is a 360

Thx

Erik