Newcomer with a 550!

[spook]

Hi All, I've recently become the owner of an old Homelite 550 and am currently trying to get it up and running better than when I bought it.  It would start, but not idle and I've tracked it down to the carburetor rubber boot (so far!) part up06656, so I need to get myself one of those.  I already have a new spark plug and carb overhaul kit on order (yet to arrive) and am busy stripping down the saw to give it a good clean etc.

The details I have on the saw are:
UT No. 104584
Ser No. 690640004
Walbro SDC 69A carb has 5-78 stamped on it

It came with an 18" and a 30" bar, new chains will be on order soon and I intend to do some alaskan milling with it!

No doubt I'll have lots of questions to come, but I'll save them for later.  Any info on the age of the saw is gratefully received.

[5terrysupersaws]

 Welcome !

*UT:10458-4  ( 550 )  SN:690640004 ..  DOM;  Monday, March 5th, 1979 ..  15139 days ago . 

[spook]

Aug 15, 2020 17:23:34 GMT -5 5terrysupersaws said:

 Welcome !

*UT:10458-4  ( 550 )  SN:690640004 ..  DOM;  Monday, March 5th, 1979 ..  15139 days ago . 

Many thanks for that!  And the accompanying picture!

Attachments:

[spook]

Quick update:
When purchased, the saw would start but wouldn't idle - the Lo screw was about 2.5 turns out, so megga rich! Anything less and it wouldn't run, so time to start stripping it down!!

Started pulling it apart, took the carb off and saw what looked like a piece of tubular rubber half over the inlet port - how it was ever making a seal to even run was beyond me! Stripped it all as far as I could (couldn't get the flywheel off), rebuilt the carb with a new gasket set etc, ordered a new inlet rubber boot (part number 12348-A, replaced by up06556) - that's not easy to fit is it??, new spark plug ordered and all degreased, cleaned and reassembled. Now idles great, engine picks up well, I've put the 18" bar on it for now and I hope to get out and try it today, weather permitting. The 30" bar I have will be for Alaskan Milling duties so I need to get some chain and have a practise!

Another 41 year old saw lives to cut another day!!