Mini-mac rehab

[Al Smith]

Although I've worked on many Mini's I've never developed a "fever " for them .

 

[redline4]

You're doing great! I caught the Mini Mac fever in the 2000's and at one point had like 5 of them running/semi-running. Glad I recovered!

I can't say I have the fever.
Just seemed like the right thing to do by rescuing this thing from the scrap heap.
My wife thinks I only want it running in case of the zombie apocalypse so that I can attach it to my hand.
The real reason is alien invasion.
Aliens would be prepared for firearms, explosives, etc.
They wont be ready for some crazy mutha charging them with a chainsaw.

 

[Steve]

I can't say I have the fever.
Just seemed like the right thing to do by rescuing this thing from the scrap heap.
My wife thinks I only want it running in case of the zombie apocalypse so that I can attach it to my hand.
The real reason is alien invasion.
Aliens would be prepared for firearms, explosives, etc.
They wont be ready for some crazy mutha charging them with a chainsaw.

You are the most forward-thinking person i know.

 

[redline4]

I wiggled, jiggled, swore and cursed this thing.
The motor is in.
Supposedly one can do it with the carb screws turned in.
I couldnt.


Air filter seal on



Filter pic for those who dig that.


Tank went in just fine.


And front cover on.

 

[redline4]

Choke lever decided to crack while snugging up retaining screw.

Added some mix.



No leaks!


And found out the recoil wont recoil..



It worked before. It does not feel like its grabbing the flywheel.
Because this doesnt have a removable cover, engine has to come back out.
*f-word me.
I spun it over by the clutch with a drill.
Got it to fart, pop, start briefly and die.
I should have put the carb in my usc, but I didnt.
I will when it comes back out.
Another day.

I need to clean up my saws that actually serve a purpose and sharpen some chains.

 

[redline4]

I took the spiteful little abomination back apart.
The forked starter cup that is very poorly bonded to the recoil decided to unbond itself.



I mixed up a liberal batch of JB weld and put it back where it belongs.
If it holds, great.
If not, guess I will try to locate a recoil.

I tossed the carb into my usc.
Until now, I have only used it for brass when reloading. Will see what it does.

 

[Steve]

I took the spiteful little abomination back apart.
The forked starter cup that is very poorly bonded to the recoil decided to unbond itself.

View attachment 176744



I mixed up a liberal batch of JB weld and put it back where it belongs.
If it holds, great.
If not, guess I will try to locate a recoil.

I tossed the carb into my usc.
Until now, I have only used it for brass when reloading. Will see what it does.

You want me to send you an updated drum and flywheel?

 

[redline4]

Are they different between the newer version and this one with it built in?

Hold off for now. I will see if the JB works.
I'm getting faster and getting it in and out of the housing..

 

[Steve]

Are they different between the newer version and this one with it built in?

Hold off for now. I will see if the JB works.
I'm getting faster and getting it in and out of the housing..

They went to an all plastic one piece drum with wide steel or plastic paws on the flywheel. Also went to a removable starter.

 

[Al Smith]

--Welcome to world of Mini Mac .The only person I've ever heard to not practice exercising an outburst or three in the profane on these things is Mark H . Look at it likes this ,if you can work on a Mini you can work on anything .

 

[redline4]

The JB weld cobble job lasted just long enough to get this.

That being said, @Steve if you dont mind, when time allows, I will take that recoil stuff. Let me know what I owe you.

I found that if you have the top handle off, it gives more room to see and help fish the coil wire and fuel lines into their proper locations in the case .

And for the life of me, I cannot get it to fit in or come out of the case with the carb screws turned in like your supposed to do.
Just take them out. It will help you not meet your daily cussword quota all in one shot.

 

[redline4]

I got the new flywheel and recoil from @Steve today. Thanks!
Got the recoil installed with minimal cussing at the spring. It only shot out once before it decided to behave.

Now the flywheel should be straightforward and simple, but no. This is a Mini-mac.



Note the difference in keyway widths.



And the end of the hole diameter.

Undaunted and in the spirit that I know more than the guy whom designed this thing, I proceeded to take equal amounts off each side of the key until it fit the keyway.

Then, in a super scientific approach, I dropped drill bits into the original flywheel until I found one that matched it's size. 23/64's it is.
I drilled it out and wouldnt you know it, the flywheel went right on.
Take that McCulloch engineers.

I wrestled with it getting it back together, paranoid about breaking the recoil again.
I got it back together. It fires if I put some mix in the carb.
I am pretty sure I got the fuel line on the wrong side of the coil wire and pinched it..

I didnt take pics.

 

[redline4]

Going to grab a bite to eat.
Then see if I can get it squared away.

Or, toss it in the yard and see what a .44 mag does to it.

 

[p61 western]

Going to grab a bite to eat.
Then see if I can get it squared away.

Or, toss it in the yard and see what a .44 mag does to it.

Lol going to need a video either way.

 

[redline4]

Lol going to need a video either way.

For sure.
Funny thing, I thought about you as I was trying to get the little bastid to start.
The whole time I was thinking "I gotta get this pos running before @p61 western gets his Mac going just so I can give him chit!"

 

[p61 western]

For sure.
Funny thing, I thought about you as I was trying to get the little bastid to start.
The whole time I was thinking "I gotta get this pos running before @p61 western gets his Mac going just so I can give him chit!"

Lmao you can build 2 and still beat me. The engine is still at Terry Ives.

 

[redline4]

Lmao you can build 2 and still beat me. The engine is still at Terry Ives.

Yeah, and mine could fit inside the jug of yours. With the bar on it!

 

[p61 western]

Yeah, and mine could fit inside the jug of yours. With the bar on it!

Lol yep probably. I have a Mini Mac I need to go through as well, but not in a big hurry lol.

 

[Steve]

Lol going to need a video either way.

Yes, video please!

 

[redline4]

@Steve @Stump Shot
@p61 western

Got it! The last issue was caused by me. Got the fuel line on the wrong side of the coil wire and pinched it.
Still needs some carb tweaks.

For what it's worth, these are actually quite easy to work on.
They look alot worse than they are.
I will also mention that the newer ones with the removable recoil would be much, much easier. Most of my problems or frustration came with trying to fit the engine in past the recoil.

So, all you slackers with a pile of these laying under your bench, dig them out and get them going. If nothing else, they are quite comical to use.