Great video! Just changed the piston and cylinder on my saw. I should have watched your video before, because from what I saw, I could have saved the cylinder and even the piston that were less scratched than the ones you shows, using the muriatic acid trick.
Nice video, Dave. Having rebuilt 100's of small engines over the years, I would offer a couple of suggestions. Considering that many viewers have little to no experience with this type of rebuild, I would err on the side of caution/conservatism. 1) Make sure to prelube the wrist pin/piston before installing the wrist pin, as the dry bearing area of the wrist pin will suffer from lack of lubrication during initial startup/run. 2) Similarly you should make sure to apply a generous amount of lubrication to the cylinder, rings and piston before installing the piston/cylinder, 3) Rather than using a subjective torque measurement with the cylinder base bolts, it's advisable to promote the use of an actual torque wrench when installing. I state the above because you are most times dealing with relative novices regarding this procedure and it's best to start them off with the "best practices" method. Keep up the good work!
Bill, these are all great points. Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. I will make adjustments and apply these principles going forward!!!! Cheers!
Dave fantastic video! Well explained and gives me complete confidence if I ever find myself needing to rebuild one of mine, thank you and keep up the great work brother!
Awesome! Could watch Dave rebuild these things all day, umm, wait, I just did! Nice Job! Hope that saw was run at least for a minute or two, there at the end, before starting it outside and running it WO in the wood? Peace! 👍
Great vid Dave👍 nice rebuild using quality parts. It's a very nice addition to the 272 and 44. These are all sought after very saleable saws . Your recording and editing is top notch
@@DavesSmallEngines all very desirable saws. My pic would be the 261 a screaming monster that's light and balanced. Just picked up a mint Jonsered 49sp today to add to the collection.
@@tc3603 nice! My 261 has a 16” 3/8 bar and chain on it. It rips! I grabbed an 026 last night haven’t even looked at it yet. Maybe I’ll do a video on it?
Great video. Very clear instruction on each of the steps. Makes me want to find a blown up saw and give it a try. Thanks, I'm subscribed and looking forward to more.
Bought a used non running husqvarna 550xp a couple weeks ago and thought it was bad gas,because it smelled awful. New gas and tank filter didn't help at all. Checked the compression and it was 85psi. I took the muffler off and the piston looked ok,and so did what of the cylinder I could see. Decided to take it apart today and the land on the top of the piston was blistered and distorted in one place. The moly( or whatever they use) was gone in that area only. Luckily the cylinder looks fine,so I'm just gonna get the meteor piston kit for $43 off ebay. A oem piston and ring kit is $150+ and I doubt it's any better quality. If all goes well,she'll make me a good firewood saw. Thanks for the video.
@@DavesSmallEngines IIRC, the shop manuals spec it. Had a couple not pass leak down from base , where it worked. On the other hand, a PITA taking apart. Scotch Brite discs to clean cylinder and case.
Look at that power! (Tim Allen grunt here...Ohhhhh yeahhhh!) Oh my gosh Dave, that is a beautiful restoration kit, the piston is so shinny I want it. LOL - Yes, I'll take don't launch the wrist pin out and loose it, bonus points for 300 please. I love how that acid just removes the aluminum, and that sand paper really cleans up that cylinder. 190-PSI and the rings haven't even been run in yet, holy crap. If somebody said what you were doing couldn't be done, tell em to hold your beer. If I myself ever end up the creek, its cause I lost my sanity. You can barely feel your fingers sure, but as long as you can still feel other important things your good. Great video Dave, loved it! I've been doing some snow blowing lately, its that time of year.
@@DavesSmallEngines Yes, comparison's of chainsaw power is always welcome. But you must make sure the chain is super sharp on both saws, that way you eliminate a dull chain as being an issue. Also, make sure your using fresh premium gas mix in both saws, to also eliminate bad gas. Then let the competition begin. Who shall be this years champion? :D
@@DavesSmallEngines Love Tim Allen. He's great! But you know what? So are you dude. Let's rock your small engine channel like thunder and show them your the next small engine doctor. 😎
I use TB1184 on all base gaskets, cylinder and case sides, because I have found just a gasket can leak. It takes a little longer but my base gaskets do not leak.
Dave great video! tipping my Honda hs1332 TAS track snowblower ruined my gas cap. It has charcoal in these caps and if charcoal gets saturated it will ruin it and starve the engine after 2 minutes than die. I even used a sandwich bag between the cap and the tank. Had to buy a new gas cap for $40. I will not tip my Honda on the front moving forward. Dealer told me from 2013 to present these charcoal filters are inside the gas cap. Ever heard of such a thing? He said he’s seen this on lawnmowers and power equipment before too.
@@connorssmallengines6663 I made two videos on this since I never heard of it. I wanted to share with donyboy73 as well. ua-cam.com/video/VZ-TTa7lUGg/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/VTNUU5towMk/v-deo.html
OMG. Great explanation. But very sloppy with the q tip and acid, got acid on top.esge of exhaust port and it is eating away the aluminum under the Nikasil coating. 1. Never allow acid to get into the ports on raw unplated aluminum. 2. Qtips are cheap, used plenty of new ones. 3. Always be ready to wash the cylinder with plenty of water just as soon as the acid work is done. Dont wait.
Dave have question have 029 almost apart .how ever I can see the piston .and cylinder threw all sides and it looks great.but the issue was its got carbon or gunk all over top of piston" but no were elese.and it ran fine except no compression and thevexhaust is caked.it seems as if it was left in the ground mudd .I'm confused its like new inside going to tear it down more ??
Nice repair Dave! Another one saved from the bone yard. What do you use for a camera? Your close ups are crystal clear and audio is great as well. 🎥👍⛄🇺🇸 Roger
@@DavesSmallEngines I was wondering about just the piston and ring price difference since you saved the cylinder. I know when I used to ride dirt bikes wiseco was the preferred piston. Do they make chainsaw pistons?
A ms- 361 is a good little saw. I sold mine a few years ago. It is a good little saw to work on. Although, I still like me ms 360 better than I did my ms 361. The 360 is a bigger saw and weighs about the same.
Thanks Dave. I'm waiting for some gaskets for the carb to come in and see if she'll run with those. I can tell you're working hard and really hustling with the repair work, doing the video editing and answering peoples questions.
@@JetSkiBuyFixPlaySellChannel that is for sure. It takes about 3x as long to do a fix compared to without video recording... and then double the time to edit!
Hey Roger - I bought a Meteor piston kit and it came with the Caber rings... I’m assuming that’s how it always is. At least they know their own strengths!
Meteor piton are to prey for my pocketbook. Caber rings are nice but on big saws they give me to much compression, making them impossible for me to crank them, reliably. On the 361 this would not be a problem but on a 460 it would be. I tried them on my 460 and it beat me to death getting it going. I would neutralize the acid with baking soda after using it to remove aluminum from the cylinder. I would coat the inside of the cylinder with a baking soda paste and then put it in my ultra sonic cleaner to clean it. However, I do that to any new cylinder before I use it.
@@DavesSmallEngines I like to fix the old Briggs flatheads and tecumseh flatheads. If you don’t get lots of 4 cycle customers then I can’t blame ya, but 4 stroke is cool sometimes. Which 4 stroke will it be on the boat?
@@connorssmallengines6663 I don’t get many customers because I don’t run a shop! Basically just for my own fun and to help friends and family out. Rumour has it it’s a 2001 Yamaha 1.6l 4 stroke carb motor!!!
Nice stuff! Too bad a new piston won't likely help my saw which has been a pain to start since day 1... Hope you clean that exhaust port, especially since that's probably what killed the first piston! You need some cheap hone sets so you stop sticking sandpaper in cylinders 🤣 Re choke linkage "made of plastic, if they break, you have to buy a new case" - you need a 3d printer, my friend. Perfect for this kind of thing, at least as long as you have a diagram or all the pieces. Looks like that chain might need some tuning, looks more like sawdust than chips. Rakers might be too high compared to the sharp bits (anvils?)
Yep - I'll be giving it a nice clean!!! I'm interested in hones, but I am weary of losing too much material. The choke linkage I am worried about is the plastic portion of the tank that the linkage snaps into. Its a poor design in my opinion because if it breaks, you have to replace the whole case. I know there is a few tricks to fix it but it will never be the same. Keep in mind that this chain is not mean to cut vertically through the log - and thats a maple... but I agree, need to go see my buddy Don!
Brings back memories of TS 420 piston and cylinder replacement with OEM parts
I did a TS500i! Cool saws!!!
I enjoy watching your videos and seeing how you save and repair otherwise great saws.
Thanks Adna! I’ll keep doing more
Great job, didn’t know acid could be used in the cylinder.
Great video! Just changed the piston and cylinder on my saw. I should have watched your video before, because from what I saw, I could have saved the cylinder and even the piston that were less scratched than the ones you shows, using the muriatic acid trick.
And the original cylinders are great quality!
Nice video, Dave. Having rebuilt 100's of small engines over the years, I would offer a couple of suggestions. Considering that many viewers have little to no experience with this type of rebuild, I would err on the side of caution/conservatism. 1) Make sure to prelube the wrist pin/piston before installing the wrist pin, as the dry bearing area of the wrist pin will suffer from lack of lubrication during initial startup/run. 2) Similarly you should make sure to apply a generous amount of lubrication to the cylinder, rings and piston before installing the piston/cylinder, 3) Rather than using a subjective torque measurement with the cylinder base bolts, it's advisable to promote the use of an actual torque wrench when installing.
I state the above because you are most times dealing with relative novices regarding this procedure and it's best to start them off with the "best practices" method. Keep up the good work!
Bill, these are all great points. Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. I will make adjustments and apply these principles going forward!!!! Cheers!
Expert Bill said it best! 😯 😃 😂👍✌
Dave fantastic video! Well explained and gives me complete confidence if I ever find myself needing to rebuild one of mine, thank you and keep up the great work brother!
Thank you Sir! That’s exactly what I’m after. If you have any questions let me know!
Awesome! Could watch Dave rebuild these things all day, umm, wait, I just did! Nice Job! Hope that saw was run at least for a minute or two, there at the end, before starting it outside and running it WO in the wood? Peace! 👍
Great vid Dave👍 nice rebuild using quality parts. It's a very nice addition to the 272 and 44. These are all sought after very saleable saws . Your recording and editing is top notch
I now have a 261, 361, and a 441c with the 461 top end!!!
Thanks for the compliments, I think I’ve got it sorted out!!!
@@DavesSmallEngines all very desirable saws. My pic would be the 261 a screaming monster that's light and balanced. Just picked up a mint Jonsered 49sp today to add to the collection.
@@tc3603 nice! My 261 has a 16” 3/8 bar and chain on it. It rips!
I grabbed an 026 last night haven’t even looked at it yet. Maybe I’ll do a video on it?
@@DavesSmallEngines 026 is one of the finest ever made. Impossible to find here in Ireland. People just don't sell them
Great video. Very clear instruction on each of the steps. Makes me want to find a blown up saw and give it a try. Thanks, I'm subscribed and looking forward to more.
Hey Bernie! Thanks for the feedback! Do it! It’s totally worth it.
Cheers,
Dave
Great Job Dave!
I have heard of people using zip ties to hold the rings in place.. it will slide down as you install the piston.
I will try this next time!
Excellent video. Is the piston scoring caused by running too lean a carb setting?
Yes sir, in most cases. Or... a dull chain which provides limited load to the engine and then over-revs or over-heats.
Bought a used non running husqvarna 550xp a couple weeks ago and thought it was bad gas,because it smelled awful. New gas and tank filter didn't help at all. Checked the compression and it was 85psi. I took the muffler off and the piston looked ok,and so did what of the cylinder I could see. Decided to take it apart today and the land on the top of the piston was blistered and distorted in one place. The moly( or whatever they use) was gone in that area only. Luckily the cylinder looks fine,so I'm just gonna get the meteor piston kit for $43 off ebay. A oem piston and ring kit is $150+ and I doubt it's any better quality. If all goes well,she'll make me a good firewood saw. Thanks for the video.
You’re welcome! Meteor is as good as OEM. You’ll be happy with it! It should come with Caber rings - some of the best!
@@DavesSmallEngines yeah,it comes with caber rings. Wish me luck.
@@ciphercode2298 caber is meter’s sister company. You have good stuff! Good luck!
Nice job Dave!
Thanks buddy!
Good job Dave very informative! Like seeing you and donyboy collabing!
@@richardogle7772 hey Rich we have a great time Doing it!
Love watching you both keep doing what you do!
@@richardogle7772 thanks richard
Hello Dave , Great video . Do you know who sells just the meteor piston kit without having to buy cylinder head as well . I can clean up mine
Hi Jason! Lots of shops online. Mostly in the USA!
@@DavesSmallEngines cool . I think I found one . Thanks for reply. And favoring a US business
Great video. Do you ever apply dirko or other adhesive on base gasket?
I don’t. Would you recommend it?
@@DavesSmallEngines IIRC, the shop manuals spec it. Had a couple not pass leak down from base , where it worked. On the other hand, a PITA taking apart. Scotch Brite discs to clean cylinder and case.
Look at that power! (Tim Allen grunt here...Ohhhhh yeahhhh!) Oh my gosh Dave, that is a beautiful restoration kit, the piston is so shinny I want it. LOL - Yes, I'll take don't launch the wrist pin out and loose it, bonus points for 300 please. I love how that acid just removes the aluminum, and that sand paper really cleans up that cylinder. 190-PSI and the rings haven't even been run in yet, holy crap. If somebody said what you were doing couldn't be done, tell em to hold your beer. If I myself ever end up the creek, its cause I lost my sanity. You can barely feel your fingers sure, but as long as you can still feel other important things your good. Great video Dave, loved it! I've been doing some snow blowing lately, its that time of year.
Hey Stellar! Great comments as always. I am happy with it so far!!!
Maybe a video comparing the cutting of my 261,361,441???
@@DavesSmallEngines Yes, comparison's of chainsaw power is always welcome. But you must make sure the chain is super sharp on both saws, that way you eliminate a dull chain as being an issue. Also, make sure your using fresh premium gas mix in both saws, to also eliminate bad gas. Then let the competition begin. Who shall be this years champion? :D
@@stellarproductions8888 I will get @donyboy73 to sharpen them all up!!!
Tim Allen has a new show coming out!
@@DavesSmallEngines Love Tim Allen. He's great! But you know what? So are you dude. Let's rock your small engine channel like thunder and show them your the next small engine doctor. 😎
Excellent video, Dave! Most excellent. You make it look easy. What did the Meteor piston and rings cost? I know it’s Canadian dollars.
I believe the piston was $60 with rings! Thanks for the kind words.
Great Video Dave👍
Thank you!
Any plans to do a classic saw rebuild? Just picked up a Stihl 08 S. Not many rebuild videos for them.
I have a Stihl 011, a Stihl 056, and a Partner 7000 all lined up to fix, likely over the winter!
Muriatic acid and 600 grit sandpaper...to clean cylinder.... thank you... 190 psi..that's great compression
I use TB1184 on all base gaskets, cylinder and case sides, because I have found just a gasket can leak. It takes a little longer but my base gaskets do not leak.
That’s a great tip John!
Dave great video! tipping my Honda hs1332 TAS track snowblower ruined my gas cap. It has charcoal in these caps and if charcoal gets saturated it will ruin it and starve the engine after 2 minutes than die. I even used a sandwich bag between the cap and the tank. Had to buy a new gas cap for $40. I will not tip my Honda on the front moving forward. Dealer told me from 2013 to present these charcoal filters are inside the gas cap. Ever heard of such a thing? He said he’s seen this on lawnmowers and power equipment before too.
I haven’t heard that, maybe @donyboy73 has though!
I have seen it once it was for emissions. Like the evap canister in the cars, but it’s cheaper to put it in the gas cap
@@connorssmallengines6663
I made two videos on this since I never heard of it. I wanted to share with donyboy73 as well.
ua-cam.com/video/VZ-TTa7lUGg/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/VTNUU5towMk/v-deo.html
@@DavesSmallEngines he said he has not. First of me hearing this as well!
Outstanding video once again, Dave. Really enjoy watching your videos. I don't even own a chainsaw. Lol.
Thanks again! I’ll keep making more videos.
Dave: I’m putting a pop up piston in a good cylinder for added compression. Do I need to mess with the timing wheel?
I wouldn’t. Just run it!
@@DavesSmallEngines thought so, but for tinkerers like me some of these UA-cam guys had me buying TDC Wheels and Wixey digital angle gauges .
Nicely done, Dave. Great video quality, too.
Thank you!!!
OMG. Great explanation. But very sloppy with the q tip and acid, got acid on top.esge of exhaust port and it is eating away the aluminum under the Nikasil coating.
1. Never allow acid to get into the ports on raw unplated aluminum.
2. Qtips are cheap, used plenty of new ones.
3. Always be ready to wash the cylinder with plenty of water just as soon as the acid work is done. Dont wait.
Hey man! Nice video! Where did you get them long impact torx bits? The black ones!!
Yo!
Thanks man. Irwin T27 on Amazon. I did a video on it - best tool donyboy73 told me about! Cheers!
Great video enjoyed watching do the rebuild. Great video
Thanks Chuck!!!
Dave have question have 029 almost apart .how ever I can see the piston .and cylinder threw all sides and it looks great.but the issue was its got carbon or gunk all over top of piston" but no were elese.and it ran fine except no compression and thevexhaust is caked.it seems as if it was left in the ground mudd .I'm confused its like new inside going to tear it down more ??
Probably stuck piston rings from running too much oil.
Hey From Saskatoon. Great tip Dave, does the acid that removes the aluminium also damage the bore coating? or no?
Hey Billy! The muriatic acid does not effect the Nikasil coating. It should just help melt off the aluminum transfer.
@@DavesSmallEngines cool neat trick, I'm gonna steal it lol
@@BillyTpower go for it! I have a couple other videos illustrating the same. Check 'em out!
Just be careful with the fumes.
Great job with the repair. I think the chain could use some help😬.
I agree!
Hope the piston rings locator is in the right direction both on the intake side lower one looked like it was in wrong place !
It was! They won't go in otherwise! Good catch!!!!
This is good video!
Thank you!
Nice repair Dave! Another one saved from the bone yard. What do you use for a camera? Your close ups are crystal clear and audio is great as well. 🎥👍⛄🇺🇸 Roger
Hi Roger! I can’t give away all of my tricks, can I?!?!
@@DavesSmallEnginesOk
That saw has a aftermarket piston and cylinder in it already I know because I am a stihl tech and stihl c clips don't have that extra part on the clip
Interesting, I never knew! Now it has a Meteor - as good as OEM!
Good job Dave. What was the price difference between this setup and the OEM piston and rings?
A LOT. I think this piston was $75 and the OEM piston and cylinder was $300 ish. Canadian.
@@DavesSmallEngines I was wondering about just the piston and ring price difference since you saved the cylinder. I know when I used to ride dirt bikes wiseco was the preferred piston. Do they make chainsaw pistons?
@@brianking1138 I don’t believe so. Piston and rig from meteor/Caber is far less than OEM. I would have to call the dealer to get exact pricing.
@@brianking1138 looks like google says around $30-$55 depending on the particular piston.
A ms- 361 is a good little saw. I sold mine a few years ago. It is a good little saw to work on. Although, I still like me ms 360 better than I did my ms 361. The 360 is a bigger saw and weighs about the same.
Good to know!
Anyone know if you can get this piston and ring setup for a Stihl 08 S? 47mm piston. Thanks.
Hey Uptin! I just did a quick search. They are available online.
Thanks Dave. I'm waiting for some gaskets for the carb to come in and see if she'll run with those. I can tell you're working hard and really hustling with the repair work, doing the video editing and answering peoples questions.
@@JetSkiBuyFixPlaySellChannel that is for sure. It takes about 3x as long to do a fix compared to without video recording... and then double the time to edit!
Splendid!
Thanks Ron!
Dave, does Meteor not make rings for their own pistons?
No it’s better to buy caber
Hey Roger - I bought a Meteor piston kit and it came with the Caber rings... I’m assuming that’s how it always is. At least they know their own strengths!
@@DavesSmallEngines thats cool, it looked like a nice piston in the video but it could be the excellent camera work.Lol
@@rogermcdonald1607 it’s of high quality for sure!
@@DavesSmallEngines you couldn’t ask for a better set of rings. Great quality for sure.
What are chainsaw users doing to score these pistons?
Lots of different things! Full chains, excess RPM, lack of oil in the fuel, the list goes on.
Use a ball hone if you are going to do that but that doesn't look like a oem cylinder it might happen agin the coating comes off the cheep cylinder
I'll look into a ball hone!
Meteor piton are to prey for my pocketbook. Caber rings are nice but on big saws they give me to much compression, making them impossible for me to crank them, reliably. On the 361 this would not be a problem but on a 460 it would be. I tried them on my 460 and it beat me to death getting it going. I would neutralize the acid with baking soda after using it to remove aluminum from the cylinder. I would coat the inside of the cylinder with a baking soda paste and then put it in my ultra sonic cleaner to clean it. However, I do that to any new cylinder before I use it.
That’s awesome. Good to know!
Good Job and great detailed video. Have an awesome day Dave!
Thanks Raley!
what acid concentration, how many percent?
👍
Thanks Sergio!
Hey Dave, why so many 2 stroke videos on your channel?
Hey! What else would you like to see? I’m making a video currently on a pontoon boat I’m building... it will have a big 4 stroke.
@@DavesSmallEngines I like to fix the old Briggs flatheads and tecumseh flatheads. If you don’t get lots of 4 cycle customers then I can’t blame ya, but 4 stroke is cool sometimes. Which 4 stroke will it be on the boat?
@@connorssmallengines6663 I don’t get many customers because I don’t run a shop! Basically just for my own fun and to help friends and family out.
Rumour has it it’s a 2001 Yamaha 1.6l 4 stroke carb motor!!!
@@DavesSmallEngines how do you get so many engines then. Does dony give them to you?
@@connorssmallengines6663 nope! I haven’t been to Don’s shop in months. I scour Kijiji (Canadian Craigslist) and Facebook Marketplace all day!!!
You don't do a psi or a vac test to make shure no leaking
I don't have those tools yet - any suggestions?
Didn’t know you could use muriatic acid to do that
Works great!
I have a couple other videos showing the same
Well at least you can do it for a lower price someone else would tell you to give it to the trash can and go buy a new one
I hate that mentality!
@@DavesSmallEngines yeah that's true people who do that. Must have lot,s of money to spend
Nice stuff! Too bad a new piston won't likely help my saw which has been a pain to start since day 1... Hope you clean that exhaust port, especially since that's probably what killed the first piston!
You need some cheap hone sets so you stop sticking sandpaper in cylinders 🤣
Re choke linkage "made of plastic, if they break, you have to buy a new case" - you need a 3d printer, my friend. Perfect for this kind of thing, at least as long as you have a diagram or all the pieces.
Looks like that chain might need some tuning, looks more like sawdust than chips. Rakers might be too high compared to the sharp bits (anvils?)
Yep - I'll be giving it a nice clean!!! I'm interested in hones, but I am weary of losing too much material. The choke linkage I am worried about is the plastic portion of the tank that the linkage snaps into. Its a poor design in my opinion because if it breaks, you have to replace the whole case. I know there is a few tricks to fix it but it will never be the same. Keep in mind that this chain is not mean to cut vertically through the log - and thats a maple... but I agree, need to go see my buddy Don!
Do you want to sell that
No thanks!!!
@@DavesSmallEngines If you run across another one that you would like to sell I’m trying to find one to build I would really appreciate it thank you
This saw seems poorly cared for by someone that did not know what they were doing
It had the initials M.B. on the case, maybe that’s a clue?