Bought an old chainsaw, need oil mixture info

[55Test]

I bought an old Homelite XL1 chainsaw at a yardsale for 35 bucks. It runs but the carb needs some tweaking, I have to keep blipping the throttle to keep it from stalling, and if it's operated on it's side then turned rightside up, the engine will rev up on it's own. When I bought it, the guy said he mixed the oil and gas 40:1, but from searching Google I've seen quotes from 16:1 up to 40:1. What should I be mixing it at? I don't plan on doing any heavy work with it, some clearing some small trees and cutting up driftwood for bonfires. I need a chain for it, it's super dull and someone did a half-arsed filing job on it one time, the air filter is missing and I should replace the sparkplug too. Can I use normal carb cleaner spray on it?

 

[80caprice]

40:1 is fine, Sounds like the carb needs a rebuild kit, and cleaning. Use carb cleaner to clean the carb, but DO NOT use it to start it. Use something with some lube to it.

 

[04SpecV]

32:1 with a good oil.
I can only imagine what shape it is in with a missing air filter.

 

[jmacmaster]

If you have small engine repair shops in your area ask them what mixture to use.

 

[GT Mike]

This engine ran on a 16:1 mix, but back in the late 60s-early 70s vintage that these saws were made, the oil was of much lesser quality. I had one. Great little saw, but too underpowered for what I needed it for. Got me a new Husqvarna to replace it, and gave "old red" to my buddy who still uses it.

Like I do with all my 2 cycle engines, I run them all on a common 32:1 mix using Mobil 1 MX2T. I have engines with OEM mix ratios from 16:1 all the way to 50:1 and anywhere in between.