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#Post#: 66447--------------------------------------------------
McCulloch Mac 15 no spark
By: brads Date: December 16, 2015, 4:22 am
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Hello and thank you for having this forum. I was recently given
an old McCulloch chain saw and after looking at some pics I've
decided it's an old Mac 15. Made from 1962-67 I think. Anyhoo,
it sat for who knows how long outdoors (years maybe) and after
shooting some penetrating oil down the spark plug hole and
lubing the pull rope parts it turns over pretty good. However,
it has no spark. (maybe that's why it sat for years) I've tried
different plugs and even a spark checker but no good. (I've got
the pull rope cover off so kill switch is disconnected. Spinning
motor fast with cordless drill) It appears to have a magneto
like a lawn mower but I don't know exactly how to check it. Can
anyone tell me what to do?
Thank you in advance :)
#Post#: 66488--------------------------------------------------
Re: McCulloch Mac 15 no spark
By: Al Smith Date: December 16, 2015, 6:52 pm
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A Mac 15 uses a points type ignition .The points are under the
flywheel like a Briggs and Stratton .
More than likely either the points need cleaned up and set or
the condenser is bad .Seldom if ever does a Mac coil go bad .To
remove the flywheel it should have a pair of threaded holes .Use
a bar type puller .I can't tell you off hand exactly what the
thread size might be but it's standard SAE threads .The points
set at 18 thou .
#Post#: 66503--------------------------------------------------
Re: McCulloch Mac 15 no spark
By: brads Date: December 17, 2015, 4:37 am
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Thank you Al Smith. I pulled the flywheel and the points were
indeed the problem. They were simply stuck open from sitting. I
lubed, (a little PB Blaster to free them up) cleaned and gaped
them. I have a good spark now. Put a shot of gas down the carb
and it even putted a bit. Next up is cleaning the carb and fuel
tank. Then see if it will run. Good thing I pulled the specs on
it. Fuel mix is 20:1. I'd have guessed 40:1 and burned it up.
Well who knows, maybe I'll end up with a working chainsaw.
Thanks again :)
#Post#: 66513--------------------------------------------------
Re: McCulloch Mac 15 no spark
By: RoyM Date: December 17, 2015, 11:30 am
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You won't burn it up using 40:1 with today's 2 stroke oils
(although Al might argue that point) . 20:1 was with 30W, all
that was available in the 60's when that saw was built. My dad
bought a Mac 15 because he thought it might be handy around the
cottage. I spent more time trying to keep that miserable madre
running than I did cutting, he finally gave it away.
#Post#: 66516--------------------------------------------------
Re: McCulloch Mac 15 no spark
By: brads Date: December 17, 2015, 11:58 am
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[quote author=RoyM link=topic=5481.msg66513#msg66513
date=1450373424]
You won't burn it up using 40:1 with today's 2 stroke oils
(although Al might argue that point) . 20:1 was with 30W, all
that was available in the 60's when that saw was built. My dad
bought a Mac 15 because he thought it might be handy around the
cottage. I spent more time trying to keep that miserable madre
running than I did cutting, he finally gave it away.
[/quote]
Most interesting. I'll tuck that under my hat about the oil.
Might come in handy some day. Still, I'll mix it 20:1 to be safe
but I appreciate the history. :)
#Post#: 66532--------------------------------------------------
Re: McCulloch Mac 15 no spark
By: brads Date: December 17, 2015, 7:05 pm
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Oh dear, next problem. I just noticed the chain oiler is gone.
There's a big empty hole/space under the chain oil tank where
it's supposed to be. Found one on ebay, $29.98 but not sure it's
all there. (click pic below to enlarge) I can see where it
attaches to the oil delivery tube on the bottom of pump but am
unsure of how it attaches to the oil tank itself? To me it looks
like it should sit inside a sleeve maybe. Then the sleeve would
hook to the oil tank. Anybody know how this all hooks up? I
guess I'm starting to wonder if it will cost more to fix this
thing then it's worth. Still, it's a lot of fun so... :)
edit: found the oil grommet for in between the oil pump and
tank. 2nd pic.
.
#Post#: 66538--------------------------------------------------
Re: McCulloch Mac 15 no spark
By: Al Smith Date: December 17, 2015, 8:15 pm
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I would imagine if you surf e-bay given an amount of time an
entire Mac 15 will show up for next to nothing .They were not
the most popular model ever made .
#Post#: 66539--------------------------------------------------
Re: McCulloch Mac 15 no spark
By: brads Date: December 17, 2015, 8:22 pm
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[quote author=Al Smith link=topic=5481.msg66538#msg66538
date=1450404929]
I would imagine if you surf e-bay given an amount of time an
entire Mac 15 will show up for next to nothing .They were not
the most popular model ever made .
[/quote]
Yeah, there's a couple of them. One is $85 I think. Don't think
so... ::) We'll keep on looking though.
Thanks :)
#Post#: 66577--------------------------------------------------
Re: McCulloch Mac 15 no spark
By: Al Smith Date: December 18, 2015, 7:35 pm
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Yeah I wouldn't give 85 bucks for a truck load of them .Some
times on these things you just have to wait it out .Given enough
time the parts will come around .
#Post#: 66602--------------------------------------------------
Re: McCulloch Mac 15 no spark
By: brads Date: December 19, 2015, 4:19 pm
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Yeah, no rush. Something will turn up. :)
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