The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Chainsaws => Topic started by: DaveP on November 17, 2019, 07:45:59 AM

Title: Fuel mixture for older sawsf.
Post by: DaveP on November 17, 2019, 07:45:59 AM
Some of the older saws called for a 20 to 1 or 32 to 1 mix.  I have been told that with the new oil we now use that they will run on 50 to 1.  Has anyone had the courage to try this?
I have a few older saws around here that still run good and have always mixed the fuel as recommended.  For my everyday saws I mix 40 to 1.
                            Davep
Title: Re: Fuel mixture for older sawsf.
Post by: lxskllr on November 17, 2019, 08:06:55 AM
While I don't have first hand experience, I'd use my normal mix in the old saws, which is ~40:1. As you said, oil is better now, and I just couldn't be bothered. A can(or 3) of straight gas, and a can(or 3) of mixed fuel is as complicated as I want to get. I wouldn't enjoy having two or three different blends, and remembering what goes with which saw. I /might/ consider a special mix if I had some really special antique I brought out on special occasions, but for just an "old" saw, I'd just as soon blow it up than have to keep track of the fuel.
Title: Re: Fuel mixture for older sawsf.
Post by: Southside on November 17, 2019, 09:21:07 AM
I doubt those guys selling you the oil will pay to fix your saw if it gets damaged by being too lean.  Even with my new 372's which call for 50:1 I run my mix somewhere between 32:1 and 40:1 and have had no issues as a result.  
Title: Re: Fuel mixture for older sawsf.
Post by: thecfarm on November 17, 2019, 09:25:19 AM
I run my 372 with 40:1 too.
Title: Re: Fuel mixture for older sawsf.
Post by: rubberfish on November 17, 2019, 09:32:37 AM
Quote from: thecfarm on November 17, 2019, 09:25:19 AM
I run my 372 with 40:1 too.
Same
Title: Re: Fuel mixture for older sawsf.
Post by: barbender on November 17, 2019, 11:21:30 AM
40:1 or richer on my new saws.
Title: Re: Fuel mixture for older sawsf.
Post by: hersnsh#590 on November 17, 2019, 07:29:39 PM
An old saying, somewhat applicable:  "Oil is cheaper than parts."
Title: Re: Fuel mixture for older sawsf.
Post by: Al_Smith on November 17, 2019, 08:18:49 PM
Yahoo the oil wars again .I knew it would reappear sooner or later . 8)
Title: Re: Fuel mixture for older sawsf.
Post by: Southside on November 17, 2019, 09:06:52 PM
And I am going to throw some fuel onto that fire.....my mix oil for years has been outboard injection oil I buy in gallon jugs.... :D
Title: Re: Fuel mixture for older sawsf.
Post by: barbender on November 17, 2019, 09:20:38 PM
Southside, I've used top quality saw oil, I can't remember the spec, and had bearings come apart and other failures. So I can't argue with someone that is running Super Tech Tcw-3 outboard oil and has good service life🤷🏽‍♂️
Title: Re: Fuel mixture for older sawsf.
Post by: Southside on November 17, 2019, 09:41:00 PM
I always figured if it was good enough for a $30K outboard engine then it was good enough for my $1K saw.  
Title: Re: Fuel mixture for older sawsf.
Post by: ZeroJunk on November 17, 2019, 10:35:53 PM
I have been running 50 to 1 in a couple of old Lawn Boy mowers for at least 20 years, 32 to 1 for maybe 10 years before that.

If they ever wear out I'll let ya'll know.
Title: Re: Fuel mixture for older sawsf.
Post by: Al_Smith on November 17, 2019, 10:48:06 PM
Alright already,the oil is better these days .How on earth those old McCullochs ever held together using 30 WT motor oil at 16 to 1 must be a miracle . :D Come to think about so did the old Mercury outboards ,hmm.----I better shut up I feel an ornery  streak coming on-----
Title: Re: Fuel mixture for older sawsf.
Post by: barbender on November 18, 2019, 04:00:05 PM
Al, sometimes I think the Russian troll farms have got onto the fuel/oil ratio issue for some reason, and thi k it is a good spot to show discord for some reason. With some of the random folks the topic seems to bring out of the woodwork, this is the only explanation that makes sense to me😁
Title: Re: Fuel mixture for older sawsf.
Post by: beav on November 18, 2019, 04:14:34 PM
I used to run outboard 2 stroke oil in my chainsaw until I found out there is a major difference between oil for water cooled engines and air cooled engines.
I have a gallon or two if anyone wants it..
Title: Re: Fuel mixture for older sawsf.
Post by: gspren on November 18, 2019, 04:33:07 PM
Quote from: beav on November 18, 2019, 04:14:34 PM
I used to run outboard 2 stroke oil in my chainsaw until I found out there is a major difference between oil for water cooled engines and air cooled engines.
I have a gallon or two if anyone wants it..
My outboards are now 4 stroke so I used up the extra 2 stroke outboard oil by adding to my older diesel tractor, didn't seem to hurt anything. As to my chainsaws, weed-eaters, blowers, etc. they all get approximately 40-1 regardless of age.