McCulloch Super Pro 81

Just a short video on my reasons why the sp81 is so popular, based in opinion, personal use and through the grape vine over the years. just spun a new chain for her, stihl 46rm and it seems to fit her. this saw features a 24 inch cannon roller nose bar.

[@jeffreyrubish347]

Now, that's a SAW! Robert Mcculloch was a genius.

[@mistermacgray]

And she sports a brand new chain. She's ready for action.

[@michaeltimmermann3985]

It's really a nice one! I bought mine three years ago. The seller offered it for $20, but he didn't want to send it first. It was to far for me to pick it up and I convinced him, to send it over for $50. 🙂🙂 That was a very lucky day and I didn't know before what a beast I was buying. Such a great runner! Unfortunatly it's hard to get some longer bars here in Germany. I could only get 16" or 20" here, and it's getting more and more difficult. I think I will have to modify Husqvarna bars to run on my Macs some day... Thank you for your informative videos!

[@deeman5076]

I've learned from my mac's that echo bars work on them

[@michaeltimmermann3985]

@@deeman5076 Thank you, i'll try that!

[@mikedionne8187]

In my opinion that is the best all around saw ever made. Surprisingly it isn't any heavier than most newer pro saws. My sp81 is the ONLY saw in my collection that will never leave.

[@dalemeyer8207]

610 is great , I would love to have that 81

[@mistermacgray]

You will never use the 610 again

[@robertdouglas3456]

Very nice saw! HAPPY Sunday!..

[@DaveyBlue32]

That’s a beautiful bar! Gorgeous saw! 👍😁. That roller tip is a beast!

[@mistermacgray]

Cannon bar all the way on her!

[@DaveyBlue32]

@@mistermacgray yeah...those are just awesome quality!

[@2eyedjack433]

Looks like a beast! Sounds mean and hungry too!.

[@michaelsmith1677]

Hey bud good to see ya keep up the good work

[@gusbus7595]

I call my Super Pro 81 "GROUND THUMPER".

[@justinweaver8787]

Very nice saw buddy love it.

[@mistermacgray]

They just make them like this anymore unfortunately

[@justinweaver8787]

@@mistermacgraysuch a sad fact sir.

[@benbradshawjr2856]

The super pro sp-81 is a must have for any Mcculoch collector.mine has a corroded fuel tank that leaks which sucks.

[@mistermacgray]

Actually an easy fix. Clean the tank out, jb welded the holes shut, let cure, then coat the inside of the tank with por15 tank liner. Done that to a few saws and works fantastically.

[@Will-js2hb]

Started logging in late 70s McCulloch all the way up here in Pacific Northwest Super pro81

[@Convoycrazy]

Couldn't agree more - My SP81 has so much 💩 it's unreal - she's a thumper for sure.. mine likes to rattle the cover screws out ha ha thanks for winding yours up too at the end I grunted like a caveman when I heard that and then I said "Hell yeah"

[@benbradshawjr2856]

One of macs best! So light and antivibe for its size

[@psgflier]

The Super Pro 81 was the last of the "real" McCullochs, built by McCulloch before the perfect storm of selling the company, gas crisis, EPA, OSHA and product liability. The later saws were de-tuned to burn the crappy gas, meet emissions standards, and noise abatement. New owners cheapened the saws to maximize profit and sold at inflated prices on the good name. I went to buy a new 80cc Mac in 1976 but the price was over 800 bucks, I got an equivalent Husky for $400, my brother did the same except bought a Stihl. A little anecdote, when by dad died in 1977 he wanted my brother and I to share the SP81 and my brother-in-law to get the 7-10. My brother-in-law was an iron worker and a tough guy, but had little or no experience with chainsaws. Of course my brother and I got into an argument about it which my brother-in-law overheard. A few years later my brother-in-law told me that really hurt his feelings until he started the saw and went to use it and realized he had a tiger by the tail.

[@mistermacgray]

Some don't understand what they have in their hand until like you said they have a tiger by the tail and by then they realize they made a mistake as you said the SP 81 is hands down like you said and you uphold the story the last of the best.

[@HemiOrange]

Those are cool old saws

[@mistermacgray]

Yes they are. If you ever get the chance to cut or own one, take the chance to do so.

[@justinweaver8787]

I love the Mac's

[@lawrencetrapani5623]

They are full wrap handles, and have rubber mounts.

[@jamesconnors9388]

Bought one this fall. Used it today for a few hours in the log pile. It gets more use than my husky 2100

[@benbradshawjr2856]

So light but the power and torque.wish the wouldve reengineered it to fit most consumers...im sooo glad i have one.theyre so hard to get

[@jamesconnors9388]

@@benbradshawjr2856 u wouldn't happen to know why mine starts fine when its cold but after that it won't fire till it cools down and it does have spark

[@mistermacgray]

Sounds like vapor lock, carb issues, saw could be getting hit due to cool fins clogged up. It can have spark but not enough to fire under compression so either points need cleaned, condenser is breaking down or coil is breaking down under heat.

[@mistermacgray]

They did however it was under hr black and decker name and came in the form of the pm800 series.

[@darrellpickering8535]

Old timers in this area cursed 'em for being hard to start. Heard this for years. Yes, I have a D-44 & another similar sized saw with no ID. They both 24" bars with NLA chain & they're bears to start. Been sitting 20 or so years now.

[@mistermacgray]

The fuel wick fuel pick up system I partly blame as they clog easily and can cause fueling issues. Had a s44a I had gotten with that exact problem. Replaced the wick and she became a hell of a runner before I traded her off because I had gotten another s44a for free.

[@darrellpickering8535]

Most of 'em in this area saw more air time than actual running time. 1 sat at an old abandoned farm & never was stolen. An old friend, now dead, worked on 'em when new & always said they were hard to keep in tune. They just had a bad reputation here is all. The other no ID saw I've got I think is a 250 if you go by visual ID.

[@mistermacgray]

@@darrellpickering8535 I never had a problem with keeping in tune. The tilly carbs are very forgiving vs the flatback or McCulloch designed carbs that were way over complicated. You should get the old d44 going, I modified one and she's good runner.

[@darrellpickering8535]

@@mistermacgray It's been so long I don't want to get into either one. Likely sell 'em. I've worked on chainsaws nigh onto 60 years. When parts got hard to find, they were parked or sold. If you need any advice on this older stuff, holler.

[@stuthompson1014]

yeah love the bar wow! dude i got one of these. think yours is older mine has a red kill switch. and some of the stamping on the one side is different. i got a 20'' on it and man does it cut ! having some carb issues right now but used it last year. was'nt sure on the cc's ? i'm in wisc.

[@mistermacgray]

82cc of the last McCulloch made saws before black and decker bought the name and the 800 series cane out that were of less quality when it came to the chrome lining in the cylinders.

[@Thetreefella]

Mister Mac Gray 🖤💛🖤💛🖤💛

[@mistermacgray]

Hey hey hey happy Sunday. You got a mac worth starting today for everybody on Facebook or even here on KZbin?

[@Thetreefella]

@@mistermacgray you know,I think I do

[@justinweaver8787]

@@Thetreefella come on LIGGETT u got my interest

[@Thetreefella]

@@justinweaver8787 video is on its way guys

[@gregsmith9226]

hey Bryan, love the saw.. I have my dads 1-53. would you happen to have the rubber airbox groomet and intake gaskets.. or any leads on any. thanks.

[@mistermacgray]

No I don't, sorry for the later response. I make my own gaskets but intake gaskets for these I get real cheap in the carb kits, RK-88 off ebay.

[@dakotaireland4070]

My grandfather used that size mac when he worked in the woods now its froze up

[@mistermacgray]

Would take alot to save one of these but can be done depending on how frozen up she is

[@dakotaireland4070]

@@mistermacgray i don't know where it is its in his shop somewhere, i lost him over the summer to cancer

[@mistermacgray]

@@dakotaireland4070 im sorry to hear for your loss. Maybe she would be a good saw to try and get going if you can find it.

[@toknowlj]

hello I have my Dad's pro 81 - Ive used it a lot too. it has needed a sprocket cover for years. [he removed the chain brake long ago] I dont really need it as I only used the old saws. this SP 81 has a fuel leak around the fuel line entering the tank. I seldom run it is most likely the problem It starts right up [I replaced that fuel filter few times] And a new champ plug. but an unbroken side cover & a non bent tensioner might be a good thing, but have been used this way for 30 years or so ;) Id like a new fuel line or a good solution to stop that leak. the carb has been great. just the bay around it gets gassy ;) selling it has not been my thought as it was Dad's work saw. He is gone and I'd rather fix it

[@mistermacgray]

after market fuel lines going through the tank are a huge miss anymore. Guys have done double barb setups and even used Tygon fuel lines and a sealer called Seal All where the line goes through with great success. Careful with fuel in the air box as it can drip out and cause a fire. I would try to put a tensioner om the saw but a chain brake is something mine doesn't have nor will get.

[@toknowlj]

@@mistermacgray well shucks it leaks when the tank is full, then as it sits it stops leaking the line feels ans looks good other wise. my thought was to try some seal all as it works on old cars. I plan to hunt up a tensioner - it cracked the cover a little as at some point it was tightened before it was in the slot. Pop did that before I got it. as for the chain brake? I too will leave it as is as Pop had it removed when he bought the saw. we know it was a new thing then, now I use one on a newer stihl - it might be a fine idea. . . ?. . . just not for me

[@mistermacgray]

@@toknowlj I have a few saws with seal all on the fuel line through the rank with zero issues.

[@lawrencetrapani5623]

Is A Super Pro 80 any Good? Is the 81 better?

[@denverdanoreno]

He answered my question, 6:28

[@mistermacgray]

What would that be, having a chrome bore?

[@michaelwhiteoldtimer7648]

I AM NOT SURE BRYAN LET ME RUN IT FOR AWHILE THEN I WILL LET YOU KNOW

[@knezo98]

On the top of my blown up sp81 cylinder is a stamped M... what should that mean?

[@mistermacgray]

Thats a good question, never heard if one with a M

[@donnie4196]

I’ve got 2 of these an 800 and an 850 and the 81will out cut either one of those, it will out cut my PM1000 also

[@mistermacgray]

Your statement also confirms what others have said about the sp81 being the best.

[@mikepici5553]

Do you have any of these sp 81s for sale

[@mistermacgray]

I'll say this. Everything of mine and a price but priced to where it stays in my collection and would take somebody completely out of their minds to buy anything.

[@ericfuller6326]

Ended up with one by looking for an 800 used reverse buying psychology

[@mistermacgray]

I paid about 1/3 that

[@ericfuller6326]

Tgats kinda creepy lol

[@ericfuller6326]

@@mistermacgray oh you misunderstand me i paid 300ish lol i was looking to buy a 800 wanted a 81 though lol

[@mistermacgray]

@Eric Fuller gotcha. At 300, you did excellent. I paid $280 shipped for mine. Anymore than 300, I say walk away. The sp81 will blow the 800 out of the water.

[@ericfuller6326]

@@mistermacgray its single jet too should be mint

[@treebender261]

Got a double eagle 80 that is barely used with a 28 bar original I put a 20 on it and cut a little crazy fast 170 psi compression i would sell it but it would take 1200 bucks to buy it or I'll just keep it full wrap with brake btw

[@mistermacgray]

I gave $250 shipped for my pm8200 and thats tops what I would pay for one of these. Now the pm8200, according to the ads of the time, are said to have a thicker stronger chrome lining than the 800 series before it. But for 1200, I can get six sp81 at the price I paid for this one. You should keep the DE80 and enjoy it but parts are getting harder to find for them, its like parts weren't made to keep them going but instead be an expensive disposable production saw.

[@treebender261]

@@mistermacgray I haven't seen one sell for less than 750 but as you can tell by my price it's not for sale just my way of saying I am going to hold on to it .I am looking for a 3120 husqvarna if you run across a deal let me know

[@mistermacgray]

@@treebender261 I see a few 3120 every now and then but no deals. Now if a guy came to me with 1200 cash in hand for my pm8200...well...idk.

[@keatonlingafelter4023]

I’d convert it to 3/8.

[@mistermacgray]

I woukd have to get ⅜ .063 chain however I'm keeping the .404 because the saw came that way and looks to have always been that way since the first owner had it in the late 70s.

[@keatonlingafelter4023]

@@mistermacgray true, just would be a little faster with 3/8 lol

[@mistermacgray]

@@keatonlingafelter4023 not really, only running semi chisel and most ify saws run .404 so I'm keeping a common chain size.

[@stopthenwonow6673]

I see a lot more 81 models than 80.

[@mistermacgray]

And why I have no clue on that either but I do agree, very few 80. It's like the 80 was testing the waters and the 81 had some improvements and came out soon after the 80 did and they just called it the 81.

[@bkb5668]

@@mistermacgray There is no difference in the 80 and 81 mechanically. The 81 designates the full wrap handle bar different muffler and the 81 I have has an optional (early) chain break you could not get on the 80. I do think they may have better porting on the 81 and thinner rings. Both my 80 and 81 run so hard I am afraid they will self destruct. They both out run my stihl 441 72cc very modern and try real hard to keep up with my 460 sthil and both the 81 and 80 will actually out torque the 460 sthil but cannot come close to the chain speed.

[@mistermacgray]

@@bkb5668McCulloch saws are known known torque vs speed. Chain speed mean nothing when you put it under a load and it can't pull a chain that is made to eat. My 81 is just a monster, best power to weight ratio McCulloch saw there is.

[@bkb5668]

@@mistermacgray Belive me I like a Mcculloch saw. I have been a professional tree faller for decades and can tell you a modern pro saw will leave an older or vintage pro saw in its saw chips, that is fact. I own my Mcculloch saws for collection pieces and I own an extensive Mcculloch saw collection. I will pull an old girl from my stable once in a while, just for nostalgic sentiment, other than that my modern saws are the ones loaded into the back of my truck. I did edit for my last post as I accidentally wrote the stihl 660 and meant stihl 460. Thanks!!!