Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Starter pulley installation on Poulan Chain Saw, vise grip pliers, rope thread

Question
I have a 20 something year old Poulan chain saw that belonged to my dad.  The starter pulley broke and I ordered a new one, however I cannot intsall the new pulley and rope.  Do I have to do something with the spring in the housing or what?
Thanks for your time!


Answer
Hi Terry,

The following is my preceedure for a mower recoil but should be similar for your saw.

Pre-wind the recoil reel by hand, to set the spring
tension and clamp it with Vise-Grip pliers. Remove the old rope. Thread the new rope through the shroud housing eyelet and to the reel hub. Let
the reel re-wind itself until it is full. If there is not enough spring tension you might be able to wind it a couple of turns more by slipping the rope around
between the reel and shroud. Re-clamp the reel. Cut the rope to length and thread it though the handle. At all knots, burn and melt the rope with a lighter to prevent untying. Re-assemble.

Let me know how you make out.
Michael