MCCULLOCH The official McCulloch thread

[Lee H]

Those model 33 Mac's are not all that common with the
small air filter. I've been looking for one for a few years
and just recently found one on ebay.

Lee

 

[heimannm]

The 33 is harder to find, that is for sure. I think the 33B already had the long air filter so they are hard to identify without a model/serial number plate.

The left hand bar 33/35 base saw was called the LeSabre and seemed to only have been offered in Canada. For comparison, I set the 35 with the spur gear reduction auger behind the LeSabre for perspective on how they laid the power head over. I have not tried to do anything further with either of these two, I am happy hang the auger unit on the wall and the paint on the LeSabre falls off if you look at it too hard.









Mark

 

[heimannm]

The gear reduction auger unit came with the original saw gear box fit with a pulley for a v-belt. I am not sure how effective it would be since the speed is so low but I am the only one on my block to have one,



The ice/earth auger attached to a power head. The blue auger came with it, but is actually the wrong "thread" for use unless you wanted to pack ice/earth back into the hole...





Mark

 

[heimannm]

My brush cutter combination came from Rockcrusher, I happen to be close enough that I can make a day trip out of a drive over to see him, load up my truck with all kind of McGoodies, and drive back home again with the much lightened wallet. This one was added to a Super 33 power head. Now that I think about it I should have held out for the full wrap handle too since I have two more Super 33's that are missing the handles.





The gearbox, bar, and chain were included.



Mark

 

[heimannm]

A while back I found the direct couple drill attachment on e-Bay complete with a three jaw keyed chuck. It came with the original papers. I had a few power heads to choose from and even had a NOS housing to make it look nice. I did make the effort on this one to go through the very unique carburetor and primer and it will start and run every with a 2 or 3 pumps of the primer and a pull of the cord. I have not ventured to drill a hole with it yet. Note the projection on the left side housing about where the thumb of your right hand will be when running the saw, that is one of the alternate oiler locations I mentioned.





The crankcase was a bit used with some paint missing.





Mark

 

[heimannm]

I am not sure if the plunge bow bar is a accessory, or just an alternative bar arrangement. I really like the guard on the top of the bar with the handle.





Mark

 

[heimannm]

I missed your post there Lee. I need to look more carefully some day, but I am pretty sure the 73 that was given to me in Australia is the 73A version made there with a different type of AF cover.

US version



Australian version



I would really like to have one of the 47A models from Australia as well.





That is the same AF cover as found on the 44/55A and Super 44/55A model saws.

Mark

 

[countryhog]

If you "google" northwood saw and use the search parameter of piston ring,not piston rings about 30 pages of options come up .It lists both diameter and thickness .Something might work .

Thanks for the lead Al. Unfortunately none of the will work. Finally found one on ebay

 

[heimannm]

I suppose I should have started this discussion with a dissection of the 33/35 power head. I had the chance a few years ago to rebuild one for Mo Jim. Here we have one stripped down to the bare essentials with the crankshaft, rod and piston in place. The flywheel mounts on the rear, that's the pushrod from the breaker points in the foreground, and the very proprietary McCulloch carburetor on the left hand side.



Here is a view of the assembled carburetor. The throttle is just a thin plate that slides/pivots to open or close the air inlet. Shown below, throttle closed.



Throttle opened



It has been a while since I have been in one of these carburetors but as I recall, as the throttle is opened it lifts a rod or needle that controls the high speed fuel mix. You adjust the high speed mix by controlling how far the throttle opens by means of a lever on the top of the saw.



The fuel pump mounts in the fuel tank, which is on the bottom of the crank case.



Mark

 

[heimannm]

The fuel filter/wick is a large felt piece that attaches directly to the bottom of the fuel pump.



The carburetor gasket/metering diaphragm, note also the metering lever and ball in place of a needle, and the reed valve and stop.



I don't have a lot of other photos showing the assembly of the 33/35 model saws but despite their complicated looks and many piece, they are really pretty easy to work on. The housing/cover comes off in one complete assembly with the starter intact, and the starter rope cab be replaced by simply installing a long 1/4-20 screw in the back of the starter pulley and winding it up; all without ever having to disassemble the saw. See the hole circled in red below.



Mark

 

[Lee H]

Nice collection Mark,
If i'm not mistaken, Wasn't the 73A a rebadged 77 for the Australian market.
I would have to do some digging. But i thought thats how it went.

I have seen a couple Lesabre's and they are a funking looking saw. Sven Johnson
brings one to a GTG i go to every year.


Lee

 

[heimannm]

I am not really familiar with the differences or adjustments made with the 47, 73, 77 and the "A" versions expect that the units in Australia look different from their US counterparts.

Certainly the Australian 47A was quite different from the US models.

Mark

 

[maulhead]

Went to a estate sale today, and came home with a Pro Mac 850.

I spent a few minutes wiping the dust off of it, with a damp rag when I got home. Dumped the old gas and put in fresh mix. Fired up on the 3rd pull.

I never owned a yellow saw yet.....

 

[sawfun]

Very nice saw. Congratulatioms you sure got good one for first yellow saw. Thone 850's will run a 32" bar quite well.

 

[Al Smith]

Ditto!

 

[67L36Driver]

The original pull "rope" on the early saw was a plastic covered steel cable, err I mean wire rope. Sorry for the slip up Carl.

View attachment 17903

Mark

Good catch. I see my effort has not been wasted.

Wireco World Group ( formerly Wire Rope Corp. of America) is finally closing the St. Joseph plant. It's been a going concern in River City for sixty years.[emoji22]

 

[fossil]

Went to a estate sale today, and came home with a Pro Mac 850.

I spent a few minutes wiping the dust off of it, with a damp rag when I got home. Dumped the old gas and put in fresh mix. Fired up on the 3rd pull.

I never owned a yellow saw yet.....

View attachment 18401

View attachment 18402

Very nice score. Did you catch old saw disease Matt?

 

[heimannm]

The PM850 is definitely one of the best. Very good way to be introduced to the line up.

You will want at least a 24" bar, 28 still works well for hardwood and up to 32" for soft wood.

Mark

 

[sawfun]

Mark, I think you will find those 850's will give a terrific account of themselves even with a 32" in hardwood. Mine did in 33" white oak it fell and bucked every bit as well as an 066 would have. Matt, watch out for yellow fever, it usually hits around this time of year with yard/barn sales and those overly infectious gtg's.

 

[maulhead]

Very nice saw. Congratulatioms you sure got good one for first yellow saw. Thone 850's will run a 32" bar quite well.

Thanks! I thought a 20" bar on the 850 seem'd a lil on the short side, when I was looking at the saw.

Judging from what the owner told me and looking over the saw I don't think the 850 had much use, that 20" bar has been on it since new. He also had a Pro Mac 10-10 , said he used the 10-10 a lot more then the 850.

Very nice score. Did you catch old saw disease Matt?

Not sure if I got that disease, waiting on a diagnosis I bought the 850 with the intention of selling it. But after hearing it run, I like the sound of it