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

Rebuilding a Homelite XL-103....

Discussion in 'Chainsaws and Power Equipment' started by Scotty Overkill, Feb 25, 2018.

  1. Scotty Overkill

    Scotty Overkill Administrator

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    ....for a guy at work. He recent bought a house, and in the shed sat a really decent looking XL-103. He tried to start it and it wouldn't run, and asked me to go over it good for him.

    Tore it down last week, expecting the normal issues. Fuel line, filter, air cleaner, carb rebuild, and it was leaking fuel profusely out of the fuel vent. So I tore into the saw and found some additional problems, one was a big issue too. One of the reeds was broken in half and missing. I found the missimg chunk down inside the crankcase, I'm guessing thats why the saw was shelved years ago, probably quit running on the operator and he parked it. Thankfully, that broken reed didn't get chewed through the jug!

    So I changed out the fuel line to Tygon, replaced the fuel line grommets into the tank and the carburetor box, replaced the throttle linkage grommet into the carb box, replaced the dissolved duck bill valve inside the fuel tank vent, replacing the air filter, replaced the carb box-to-case gasket and two carb intake gaskets, rebuilt the carburetor, dressed and cleaned the bar, sharpened the chain, and last, but not least, made a custom Overkill bucking spike for it. Once the air filter arrives in the mail, I'll make the final tuning cuts with the saw and it's off to its owner. I'm kinda getting excited to start back up on my McCulloch BP-1 project, this Homey rebuild was a good warm-up for that. Although the BP-1 will be getting quite a bit more fabrication.....

    The break-down....the saw looks to have been sitting for several decades, if not longer....
    20180217_183505.jpg

    Close-up of the reed cage area, to the left you can see where the fuel vent valve hole is located. Also had to make a gasket for this entire opening
    20180217_183537.jpg

    The fuel vent. This small fitting is actually two pieces, and inside is where the rubber duck bill check valve is located. The valve was long gone, it was a gooey blob and leaked fuel like a sieve...
    20180217_183511.jpg

    The old fuel line/filter/ fuel line grommets. All were replaced
    20180217_183731.jpg

    You can clearly see the broken reed. The other half was down inside the crankcase, intact.
    20180217_190204.jpg

    Saw back together and running like a champ...still waiting for the NOS air filter to arrive, should be here by Tuesday
    20180221_210443.jpg

    20180221_210514.jpg
    Look at that nazty bucking spike....custom-made at the Overkill shop. My spikes are made from hard stuff, they are very hard to bend or break and stay sharp under the worst conditions!
    20180221_210401.jpg
     
  2. Scotty Overkill

    Scotty Overkill Administrator

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    A close-up of the Overkill spike. I'm hoping to start making these for many makes and models of saws in the near future....new saws and classics.
    20180221_210420.jpg
     
  3. TurboDiesel

    TurboDiesel

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    Very nice!
    Great you got it running again!

    Need an Overkill Industries logo on that spike.:dex:
     
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  4. Scotty Overkill

    Scotty Overkill Administrator

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    It's rustic enough that guys around here should be able to recognize who made it...lol...
     
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  5. Scotty Overkill

    Scotty Overkill Administrator

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    I'm impressed with this little saw and the power-to-weight ratio it has. And, MAN, does it ever sound good!! I'm probably going to (get ready for it) start looking for one I can call my own!! :emb:
     
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  6. Eric VW

    Eric VW Moderator

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    Super nice work Scotty Overkill :thumbs::yes::handshake: Both on the rebuild, and the Overkill Spike:salute:
    TurboDiesel is right....needs a logo etched/lasered on it:thumbs:
     
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  7. Scotty Overkill

    Scotty Overkill Administrator

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    ...told ya I was gonna buy my own!! Lmao...

    :picard:

    It's an XL 101, not a 103, but I really don't need the decompression valve anyway....

    :dex:

    The price was right, I'll probably go ahead and do a full overhaul, with new paint too.

    Screenshot_2018-02-26-07-31-35-1.png
     
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  8. Unicorn1

    Unicorn1

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    Nice work on the Vintage Homelite.
     
  9. Scotty Overkill

    Scotty Overkill Administrator

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    Thanks buddy, now I got one of my own that'll get similar treatment. Maybe with a few additional tweaks!! ;)
     
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  10. Scotty Overkill

    Scotty Overkill Administrator

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    I took a tad too much off of the rakers, but she's cutting pretty good. Gonna make a good firewood saw for the owner!

     
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  11. Eric VW

    Eric VW Moderator

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    Great vid!!!
    That saw is a little screamer- you did a fantastic job getting ‘er back into shape Scott:yes: :saw::saw::saw:
    :thumbs:
     
  12. Hoggwood

    Hoggwood

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    I've never run one in that earlier series, but have put many Canadian XL-76/130's together. For their nimble ergonomics and 58cc size, they pull with conviction. One of my all time favorite vintage cutters. I see that one sports a Walbro SDC with the additional accelerator pump diaphragm. Those can be troublesome to find and I have had a couple that were hard as can be. Ended up swapping in Tilly HS's.

    Just for kicks, one of my 76's from last summer. I've had to work around many a failed Prestolite ignitions that plagued this series. This one was no different.

    Gotta love the Homelites.

     
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  13. Eric VW

    Eric VW Moderator

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    Chip thrower for sure!:thumbs::saw::saw::saw:
    Nice!
     
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  14. Scotty Overkill

    Scotty Overkill Administrator

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    Yes, I was intrigued by the carb when I tore it down and saw the extra diaphragm on the throttle axle........believe it or not, the carb was in perfect shape when I tore it down, the diaphragms and gaskets were in great shape, so I cleaned it up and put it back together.

    I'll keep that in mind about the Tillotson HS's, thanks for the tip!
     
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  15. Eric VW

    Eric VW Moderator

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    Sounds like it only ever drank real gas and was maybe winterized properly over its lifetime....?
     
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  16. Scotty Overkill

    Scotty Overkill Administrator

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    I think it was stored "empty", maybe run out of gas before being put up? Who knows.....

    I've got an old Pioneer 1100 tore apart on the bench right now and it's varnished up so bad it's gonna need soaked in paint thinner for a good while....
     
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  17. Joe Seaton

    Joe Seaton

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    I would love to have one of those spikes for my 362. That thing looks great.
     
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  18. Scotty Overkill

    Scotty Overkill Administrator

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    Once I get some more material, I'll make ya one....;)
     
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