In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Oil mixtures and thoughts

Discussion in 'Chainsaws and Power Equipment' started by WeldrDave, Sep 10, 2022.

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  1. WeldrDave

    WeldrDave Military Outpost Moderator

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    Ok, let's not get into any PI$$ING matches about this, I'd just like thoughts, experience and input Please.
    All the saws I have are a 50:1 mixture and I have been running them as such for years.
    I'm not going into the brands and it really doesn't matter for this question. You hear some folks running 40:1 and some even 32:1. Now to the question; I recently picked up a little Stihl 020AV, about a 1971. I also picked up a manual on e-bay for it. In that manual is say's;
    "Use" SAE30 oil 25:1 mixture! Ok, I realize this is the 1970's but my question is, Are any of you running this mixture on any older saws?, Are you running standard 2 stroke mixture on older saws and if you are, at what mixture? I don't plan on using this little saw much but run it once in a while. I don't know what the fella I got it from was doing but it has good compression although it sat for years! I'm (assuming) with the advance of the oils, it wouldn't harm it to run it around a 40:1 with a (new) oil mix or am I mistaken?
    DSCN5247.JPG
     
    Last edited: Sep 10, 2022
    WeldrDave, Sep 10, 2022
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  2. Canadian border VT

    Canadian border VT

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    When I get those makes a gallon; I mix with 9/10 of gallon of gas. I like a oil in engines…
    Than I listen to advice of :BrianK: on forum.

    My small engine mechanic who recently retired said
    “It matters more that there’s oil in it; than name of oil in it”
     
    Last edited: Sep 10, 2022
    Canadian border VT, Sep 10, 2022
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  3. The Wood Wolverine

    The Wood Wolverine

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    I run paps old '59 Pioneer 610 on my 40/1 mix that I use for all other saws(Echo Red Armor). 40 gives the bearings more oil, which is a good thing.
     
    The Wood Wolverine, Sep 10, 2022
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  4. corncob

    corncob

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    I use the Stihl pre mix bottles in ALL my saws, ne exception and I run weasel pee gas too. The Stihl pre mix has marine Stabil in it. Have a 50+ year old Stihl o28 WB, it does just fine on 40-1.
     
    corncob, Sep 10, 2022
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  5. Eggshooterist

    Eggshooterist

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    I have vintage saws that required, back in the day, 16:1 30wt oil and I've ran them on 40:1 without issues. More than one oil.

    I currently run 25:1 in everything with the oil I use. Not because I need to, because I like more oil as long as it doesn't effect tuning and power. Other oils I've tried, my smaller saws can't deal with that much oil due to its viscosity and maybe other things in their make up. Even 32:1 is to much with some oils.
     
    Eggshooterist, Sep 10, 2022
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  6. farminkarman

    farminkarman

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    Here is my 2 cents…saws obviously run fine for a while on 50:1, but every time I open up a saw, trimmer, blower, etc., I have a pretty good idea what oil ratio they have been running ( red armor seems to be an exception). At 50:1, the bottom end looks bone dry…at 40:1, there is usually some oil to be found. At 32:1, there is a nice oil film covering the internals. Based on my personal observations, I like 32:1 best…but it has to be an oil that doesn’t leave behind a ton of crud on the piston crown and in the exhaust port (not gonna mention any oils here).
     
    farminkarman, Sep 10, 2022
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  7. Mrxlh

    Mrxlh

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    It’s an oil thread, that is what they all turn into….

    Seriously, oil brand may not matter unless you are in a cut and develop an air leak. It’s right then you wish you were using the best oil you could for just that instance when your saw doesn’t blow up or lean seize. I’m currently using 45:1 in all my saws, so far none have looked too dry for me. Also of note that 25:1 in some of my own testing didn’t yield a to more oil than the 45:1.
     
    Mrxlh, Sep 10, 2022
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  8. WeldrDave

    WeldrDave Military Outpost Moderator

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    I know, that why I said it out of the gate! :rofl: :lol: :whistle::p
     
    WeldrDave, Sep 10, 2022
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  9. metalcuttr

    metalcuttr

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    Hey Dave, Why not give Stihl a jingle and see what they say? Couldn't hurt and you would be hearing it straight from the horses mouth! STIHL USA Contact Form | STIHL Support
     
    metalcuttr, Sep 10, 2022
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  10. Mrxlh

    Mrxlh

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    Being that it’s not an EPA saw, I’d stick with the original ratio using a modern oil. Tolerances when the saw was built typically dictates ratio needed
     
    Mrxlh, Sep 10, 2022
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  11. WeldrDave

    WeldrDave Military Outpost Moderator

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    Good thought! :yes:
    Thinking in the same realm! :) I was leaning in that direction.
     
    WeldrDave, Sep 10, 2022
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  12. clemsonfor

    clemsonfor

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    40:1 will be fine. Some of the really old saws run babbet bearings and need all the oil for cushion. It has nothing to do with how good modern two stroke is than sae 30 diluted in the gas. Maybe kean those up some from 16:1 but me personally, I wouldn't go leaner than 25:1. I'm not talking about your 020 though, older stuff than that. Like I have an old Homelite from the 50s. When I mix I think I still mixed it at 16:1 , why cause I know it won't kill it that way. Still runs fine. Smokes more than modern saws but ITS NOT a modern saw either .
     
    clemsonfor, Sep 10, 2022
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  13. clemsonfor

    clemsonfor

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    I run 32:1 oil in everything that's two stroke. Saws , weed eater, pole saw. They all run fine, no fouling out, I never change spark plugs or clean them. Mufflers don't coke and clog up.
     
    clemsonfor, Sep 10, 2022
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  14. Eggshooterist

    Eggshooterist

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    You obviously have tuning down to a science and run a clean burning oil.
     
    Eggshooterist, Sep 10, 2022
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  15. clemsonfor

    clemsonfor

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    I can tune a two stroke but I don't think I'm any better than anyone who knows what there doing on this site and I'm sure I still have some to learn. I'm sure I am giving up some RPM, if I had a tachometer I could tune closer to the ragged edge. I think I was really close buying one from DexterDay at one point. Seems to me if I remember right he was selling one, but I was too cheap to buy it.
     
    clemsonfor, Sep 10, 2022
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  16. brenndatomu

    brenndatomu

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    No need to run SAE30 in it...just fill it from the same jug you use on the rest of your saws, you'll be fine...2 smoke oil has come a loooong ways since '71! (although I do like 32:1 - 40:1 better than 50:1...which is just an EPA thing IMO)
     
    brenndatomu, Sep 10, 2022
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  17. Ronaldo

    Ronaldo

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    Mix at 40:1 and use it in all your saws. Tune em properly and that 1970's saw will last just as long as a modern saw.
     
    Ronaldo, Sep 10, 2022
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  18. WeldrDave

    WeldrDave Military Outpost Moderator

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    I shot out a message to the Stihl team, waiting for answer... :whistle: Just curious what they have to say. I called an old Outboard mechanic last night who is in my gun club. He worked on Johnson/Evinrudes since the early 70's. He said the same about 40:1 with new oils. He has a saw from 1964 and he runs 40:1 in it.
     
    WeldrDave, Sep 11, 2022
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  19. The Wood Wolverine

    The Wood Wolverine

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    My bet says they will tell you 50/1 as per epa mandates.
     
    The Wood Wolverine, Sep 11, 2022
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  20. buzz-saw

    buzz-saw

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    Oil technology has come along way since the days I was straight 30 weight
    Personally I run 40 to 1 and if I’m milling with a chainsaw I might fatten it up a little bit
    Never have I had an issue
     
    buzz-saw, Sep 11, 2022
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