Howdy... I recently went up to Connecticut to visit my Dad for the first time in way too long. While I was visiting, I got all the old mowers, and small engine machines running, and did a few days worth of work around the property. But upstairs in the barn, I found the old Stihl 020AV chainsaw that we bought whern I was seven years old. It didn't run, but it turned over smooth. It's old, and dirty, and the fuel inside was thick and dark, but this is the first chainsaw I ever used. I have more hours and memories with this saw than any other, as well as the burn on my right thigh from the time I rested the side facing muffler there while wearing shorts one hot summers day. So I brought the power head back home with me where I have a decent work bench and tools. My goal is to restore this saw, and give back to my Dad later this summer. So here's the 020AV. I'll update this thread as I make progress. I'm looking forward to this.
Great project for sure. I'm sure that he will really appreciate it when done. Funny how those memories just stick in your mind.
I bought a circa 1973 rear handled version of the same. M2theB restored it. Maybe he can chime in with what he did as i forget. He also is doing my circa 1992 026. Connecticut? What town? Shouldve PMed and we couldve met up!
It’s a little bit of a puzzle in the right sequences. But once you get it down, it’s not hard, just tedious Brads saw had a very similar tank muck, and the impulse line was off and the carb was gummed up with the tank mud. Check for spark first.
I grew up in Litchfield county in the north west corner of the state. Haven't really been home in over 15 years. Sure was pretty to see again. Got the saw home and checked for spark. Check!
So far the gas tank is clean and rust free. All the rubber parts are supple and seem to be in good shape. But now the 020 needs a cleaning. First, remove handles. As you can see, it has been well cared for...
Now, get the case in half... and there's 30+ years of sawdust and oil. Looks like I've got some cleaning to do. Oh well, its therapy for people like me. I'm good...
I've made a little more progress. The carb is out, and cleaned up a bit. I've ordered a rebuild kit for it which should be here next week. The carb is a Tillotson made I'd Toldeo Ohio. USA. That's pretty darned cool.
I'd recommend, while its torn down, that you replace the crank seals. Yeah, it's more work, but in the long run it'll give you certainty that you have vacuum and no air leaks. Seals that sit around for decades become dry and brittle. It'd be ashame to have that thing down that far apart and put it back together only to find you need to year it down again to replace the seals.
Thank you for the reply and knowledge. I'll look into crank seals. (Are they just ill-tempered regular seals, or are they special?)
While waiting for for carb rebuild kit, I replaced the pull cord... I remember working at a rock climbing type store at the time, and this thick orange cord was all I could come up with at the time. It worked, but the action of the reeling in of the cord didn't feel right. Now remember, this was before the internet and all this techno wizardry we now take for granted when ordering parts for obscure European engines.
I replaced the fuel filter and internal tank fuel line. Check out this tan powder that was in the base of the fuel filter. I'll probably find more of this in the carburetor...
I will say that that's a nice old saw & good for you for restoring it. I have one that was given me in running condition & I use it on occasion. I love those old saws. Enjoy the process!
So I took the carburetor apart and replaced the gaskets and diaphragm. I took the L and H needles out and used carb cleaner to get all the openings cleaned out. After everything in the carburetor was put back together, I decided to reassemble the saw and see if it would run. After about 50 pulls, and a couple of rough starts and brief moments where it did run, I broke the starter cord... I'll mess with it again later.
Pour a little mix right on the air filter & fire it up. Way better on the shoulder & starter. They'll usually fire on one pull.
