Author Topic: McCulloch Mac 15 no spark  (Read 1107 times)

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Offline brads

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McCulloch Mac 15 no spark
« on: December 16, 2015, 05:22:46 am »
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  :)

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Offline Al Smith

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Re: McCulloch Mac 15 no spark
« Reply #1 on: December 16, 2015, 07:52:03 pm »
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 .

Offline brads

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Re: McCulloch Mac 15 no spark
« Reply #2 on: December 17, 2015, 05:37:03 am »
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  :)

Offline RoyM

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Re: McCulloch Mac 15 no spark
« Reply #3 on: December 17, 2015, 12:30:24 pm »
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.
Old age and treachery always overcome youth and enthusiasm

Offline brads

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Re: McCulloch Mac 15 no spark
« Reply #4 on: December 17, 2015, 12:58:48 pm »
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.
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.  :)

Offline brads

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Re: McCulloch Mac 15 no spark
« Reply #5 on: December 17, 2015, 08:05:00 pm »
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.




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Offline Al Smith

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Re: McCulloch Mac 15 no spark
« Reply #6 on: December 17, 2015, 09:15:29 pm »
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 .

Offline brads

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Re: McCulloch Mac 15 no spark
« Reply #7 on: December 17, 2015, 09:22:41 pm »
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 .
Yeah, there's a couple of them. One is $85 I think. Don't think so...  ::) We'll keep on looking though.
Thanks  :)

Offline Al Smith

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Re: McCulloch Mac 15 no spark
« Reply #8 on: December 18, 2015, 08:35:22 pm »
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 .

Offline brads

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Re: McCulloch Mac 15 no spark
« Reply #9 on: December 19, 2015, 05:19:24 pm »
Yeah, no rush. Something will turn up.  :)

 

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