XL-2 issues

[Saw Dr.]

A friend of mine gave me an XL-2 automatic yesterday. He had tossed it in his scrap metal bin, but then thought I might like it.

I pulled the cord, and was impressed by the CRAZY compression..... Then I remembered something about duckbill valves. The cylinder is full of bar oil. Also the plastic cover for the top handle is broken in the front, and the cover will not stay on. Anyone have an IPL?

Is there a thread on here coaching newbies on changing the infamous duckbill valves?

Also, did they make 1/4" chain in .063 at one time? The bar looks pretty nice, and it has a good loop of Stihl 1/4" chain. The chain is VERY sloppy in the bar however.

Thanks in advance.

[mikevan]

Sounds like the bar is shot or the wrong one -

[MCS]

Let's get some basics. The XL2 and its off springs had several variations. What's the serial number? The first ones hit the woods in 1972.
I don't know about .063 gauge 1/4" chain. Measure the bar groove all the way to the bottom with feeler gauges. BTW, they quit using 1/4" and went to 3/8 LP somewhere along the line.

Does your saw have one trigger or two?

Chain oiling. The original ones had a diaphragm and piston. The next variation was just a duck bill at the end of the hose that went from the crankcase pulse fitting to the oil tank. The tank was pressurized to force the oil out. Then there were some later configurations with hoses running all over the place.
What does your oiling system look like?

The top handle plastic should be available somewhere. I have one new one but I may need it.

I have ten different hard copy IPLs and also some in PDF. Once I figure out which variation you have, I'll get you an IPL.

[Saw Dr.]

OK, well everyone likes pics . Here she is in the flesh. Not a bad looker. Most of what looks like dings is just dirt.


The bar groove is hardly worn, and is .063" It is original, and sprocket nose at 1/4" pitch. Unfortunately the chain is .050". I had an 015 Stihl that had the original hardnose bar on it at .063" gauge, and a .050 chain on it. The 015 came with 1/4", so they must have made a 1/4" x .063 chain at some point.




Serial number appears to be 42191090

[MCS]

The numbers on the bar say it is 12" and uses 69 links of .050 gauge 1/4" chain. Try using feeler gauges and see what goes all the way to the bottom of the groove.
BTW, it is a nice looking 1974 XL2

[Saw Dr.]

OK. I guess it is a .050 bar then. I do not have a rail closer. Would it be safe to close those rails down by .013" That is .007" on either side. I'll get a closer if need be. I usually just change bars on the bigger stuff, but I'd kinda like to keep the original one on here.

Also, from the S/N, can you tell me what oiler arrangement I have? I believe it to be the duckbill valve due to the cylinder full of bar oil. I have not torn into this one yet. I have a few tree service saws apart. I try not to get too many in boxes at once. I'm not smart enough to remember where all the parts go.....