Reviving old saws

[Welderman85]

When start to get an old saw going. Do you automatically change the crank seals or press and vac test it first. I have a few old poulans and a homelite I would like to get going again. Thank you

 

[hacskaroly]

I picked up a 1969 Homelite Super XLA a couple of weeks ago, after cleaning out the pull cord recoil so it would recoil, I dumped the old fuel, put in new and started it up. That is typically what I do with new to me saws.

 

[jacktheripper]

I usually run them for a bit and see how they do. If the revving or idle is weird, I replace seals. They can re-swell when fuel is added after sitting for a while. Automatic transmission fluid can also swell seals back.