Homelite Build thread

[sam bennett]

I forget where I left off before the other site crashed, so I'll pick with starters.

Homelite used Fairbanks Morse starters. The NOS parts are getting harder to find, but there are tons of saws with good parts available.



They only differences between left and right starters are the way you wrap the flat spring, and where the roll pin is located for the rope guide. The red piece is wound for RH and the white is setup for LH.

There are some subtle differences in the posts as well, but doesn't affect the rotation.




For right hand operation wrap the rope this way.


For right hand operation wrap the wind the spring this way.



Place the starter pulley over the housing. Using the notch shown at 7 o'clock put at least 1.5 rotations on the pulley to preload the spring. I tie a knot to keep it under load when done. 

Here are the main types of starter handles and rope anchors. 
The one on the left is typical of the earlier saws and K82 engines.


 

 

 

The last part is to reassemble the friction engagement parts.


Follow the instructions here. The most important thing to remember is the engagement dogs on the friction assembly need to face the same direction as the starter rotation. There are sharpened teeth on the dogs which favor one direction only.

EDIT
Here are some helpful part numbers for starter parts.

Starter Clutch Friction shoes 58970
Recoil spring 56451-1. 
Pulley 56452.
Fan cover 5.25 diameter 56442. 
Starter Cup 56441-1.
Inner spring 56455.
Retaining washer (more than 1 type) 76436.
Rope inserts are 55937,58517,A-56081.
Rope is 55898.
Grip is wrong, but A-69962-B was an HL number.