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Post by rjm240 on Sept 12, 2018 13:45:47 GMT -5
Hello,
This is my first post. I have been using my dad's XLBC since I was old enough to lift it up and use it safely. I am not in my mid thirties so I have been effextifly using it for the last 20 years without any sort of tune up or maintenance. We run it out of fuel in the fall, most of the time, and it jsut keeps going.
Well, I figured I should change the spark plug so I pulled the wire off and found the wirdest looking spark plug I have ever seen. It is missing the top half. The numbers on it are TJ-BJ. I thought no problem I will put that in the google and order one up. Even google has never heard of this type of plug.
Anyhow, that is how I landed here. What do I need to do to get a new spark plug in this old saw? Change the spark plug wire? Change the ignition system? Just clean the plug and run it as long as possible then come back here? What do the experts say?
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Post by sweepleader on Sept 12, 2018 14:08:27 GMT -5
I don't know about the experts but I say welcome to the House of Homelite.
I will say also that you can find that style of plug occasionally on line, usually from Europe in my experience, for about $20-$50 each. Personally, I change the boot and terminal to modern stuff and use a new style plug. A CJ8 or equivalent would work. Then you can replace the plug anytime you want for a couple bucks. Save the old plug and boot for when you decide you want to restore the brush cutter to original specs and hang it on your living room wall. :{)
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Post by rjm240 on Sept 12, 2018 14:14:46 GMT -5
I don't know about the experts but I say welcome to the House of Homelite. I will say also that you can find that style of plug occasionally on line, usually from Europe in my experience, for about $20-$50 each. Personally, I change the boot and terminal to modern stuff and use a new style plug. A CJ8 or equivalent would work. Then you can replace the plug anytime you want for a couple bucks. Save the old plug and boot for when you decide you want to restore the brush cutter to original specs and hang it on your living room wall. :{) Can you point me to a forum explaining how to change the boot? I am pretty experienced working on small engines but usually fuel systems not ignition. |
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Post by rjm240 on Sept 12, 2018 14:19:08 GMT -5
A couple photos   |
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Post by undee70ss on Sept 12, 2018 14:27:33 GMT -5
There are several of those plugs on eBay priced reasonable
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Post by undee70ss on Sept 12, 2018 14:29:03 GMT -5
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Post by undee70ss on Sept 12, 2018 14:39:58 GMT -5
Your brush cutter was made in early 1965. If you ever need a parts list, we have them posted to download for free.
Personally, I would just use a new plug, but if you want to use a newer style spark plug, I would change the plug wire also. They just screw into the coil, but you must be careful not to damage coil removing the wire.
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Post by undee70ss on Sept 12, 2018 14:42:11 GMT -5
Hello, This is my first post. I have been using my dad's XLBC since I was old enough to lift it up and use it safely. I am not in my mid thirties so I have been effextifly using it for the last 20 years without any sort of tune up or maintenance. We run it out of fuel in the fall, most of the time, and it jsut keeps going. Well, I figured I should change the spark plug so I pulled the wire off and found the wirdest looking spark plug I have ever seen. It is missing the top half. The numbers on it are TJ-BJ. I thought no problem I will put that in the google and order one up. Even google has never heard of this type of plug. Anyhow, that is how I landed here. What do I need to do to get a new spark plug in this old saw? Change the spark plug wire? Change the ignition system? Just clean the plug and run it as long as possible then come back here? What do the experts say? The plug number is TJ8J. |
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Post by rjm240 on Sept 12, 2018 15:17:01 GMT -5
OK, Fist of all. Thank you. Second of all. I fee like an idiot. I searched for an hour a few nights ago for TJ-BJ. And was very surprised to find nothing as google never fails me. Low and behold when I type in the correct number TJ-8J it comes right up. Thank you all for the lesson in humility. I have a TJ-8J on on the way to my house for ~$13. Thanks again. I had no idea it was that old, 1965. I cannot ever remember my dad working on it so I'd guess that spark plug is at least 35 years old. I used the saw commercially a few summers as well. It never fouled. I run the stihl or husky 50:1 oil in it and I just put in two jugs per .8 gallons to get it to 20:1. That is what my dad always told me to run it at. There are never mosquitoes around me when that thing is humming at 20:1  |
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Post by rjm240 on Sept 12, 2018 15:18:35 GMT -5
I work for Textron Off Road was Arctic Cat and I realized today that Textron at one point owned Homelite. See the photo of the serial number above. I guess you learn something everyday. Some days you even learn two things.
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Post by jerseyhighlander on Sept 12, 2018 19:28:55 GMT -5
That spark plug type with the inset cone connector, is very familiar to me from something long, long ago. I just can't remember what. Driving me nuts now.
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Post by rowdy235 on Sept 12, 2018 21:24:08 GMT -5
I've never seen a plug like that before in my life, learn something new every day!
If you decide to switch to a conventional plug/boot setup I'd pick up Oregon Part # 33-208. Its a fairly nice boot that includes the coil piece inside, very easy to install. I've used them on a couple saws and other small engines over the years. Ace hardware used to stock them but not now that they picked up the orange brand of power equipment. I actually just ordered a couple, one for my 770 and a couple to have around for when I need them! You can get them for less than $5 shipped on ebay.
Its hard to say if it'll work with your existing plug wire. If the wire is just a standard wire and long enough, I see no reason why it wouldn't. If not, plug wires can be had fairly cheap as well.
Since the plugs are relatively available pry no reason to switch it, but at $16 /plug it would only take one to make your money back.
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Post by Clasec on Sept 12, 2018 21:57:41 GMT -5
That spark plug type with the inset cone connector, is very familiar to me from something long, long ago. I just can't remember what. Driving me nuts now. My XL500 still has one. |
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Post by undee70ss on Sept 12, 2018 22:06:59 GMT -5
That spark plug type with the inset cone connector, is very familiar to me from something long, long ago. I just can't remember what. Driving me nuts now. My XL500 still has one. My early XL12 and XL500 still have them also. Got some extra plugs from the Chainsawlady. |
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Post by sweepleader on Sept 13, 2018 10:22:57 GMT -5
Oregon Part # 33-208 includes the boot and terminal as rowdy said above. The boot goes on the wire first, with some soap or other lube, then a hole needs to be punctured in the insulation of the wire to take the leg of the terminal. That gets pressed in the hole to make contact with the core wire and the boot gets slid over the terminal to hold it in place. Use only solid core wire, not the carbon stuff. The wire is available most everywhere ignition parts are sold, 7mm solid core. As undee said above, the wire screws off and on to the coil, there is a pointed, threaded stud recessed in the coil. Be careful and it is really no big deal to replace.
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Post by rjm240 on Sept 17, 2018 11:41:31 GMT -5
The new plug arrived this weekend. I put it in and on the first pull (choke on) in fired and died. I pushed in the choke and on the 2nd pull it fired up and idled like new. The gap on the old plug was starting to widen out as the ground electrode was starting to wear away. Anyways thanks again to all on the forum for the help. I am going to keep running these plugs until the supply runs out and then will consider wire and cap changing. When I do decide to go that route I will come back to this thread for advice.
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Post by Clasec on Sept 17, 2018 13:52:03 GMT -5
Don't know if I'll be around in 50 years but will keep an eye out.
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Post by undee70ss on Sept 17, 2018 14:51:42 GMT -5
Don't know if I'll be around in 50 years but will keep an eye out. I know I won't be. If I did I would be over a 100 years old. |
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Post by sweepleader on Sept 17, 2018 16:07:03 GMT -5
Sorry to here you are giving up there undee. I might still be here, I have put it on my calendar to check on. I will only be 118.
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