Chainsaw Repair

now remember what length of bar are you using as that will tell you the top rpms setting , longer the bar the lower your top rpm setting will be , longer bar causes more drag plus causes more heat into the engine so the top rpm setting is different from say a 16 inch bar to a 24 inch bar , How far are you above sea level ? , the higher you are the more you have to lean the carb down cause the lack of oxygen so a saw at sea level set proper then take it to 7,000 feet above sea level will run very rich

Thanks Ed, that's really helpful information, especially the elevation part.  I am just under 500 feet above sea level, so pretty low. 

I think my biggest problem was that I am running at 40:1 instead of 32:1 like Kevin.  I leaned it out some initially, but it wasn't nearly enough. 

I got brave and kept leaning it until I got it tuned to a good point.  With this tune my plug has a nice light brown color with no fouling, it 4-strokes a little at WOT out of the wood, then cleans up in the cut.  I haven't measured the RPMs yet though.

Now that I have it tuned for my fuel mix this saw is even more impressive.  I have blasted through about 4 cords of firewood blocking, noodled a few big pieces and the saw just wants more.  My only problem now is that I am out of downed wood to cut, but soon I'll be dealing with the blow-downs out in the woods.

Thanks everyone who contributed to this thread.  I have learned a lot about tuning from this forum.