Do Ported Saws Actually Last? MMWS MS461

[Mastermind]

I did this MS461R about 12 years ago. It has been living pretty much ever since with a 32" .404 setup on it. Used for tree service work in Georgia. The owner wanted it torn down and freshened up, not because it really needed it, but to document how it has faired over the last dozen years.

So.....here it is.

 

[Mastermind]

This was the first MS461 I'd ever done. At that time I was doing things a little different. I left the spit back deflector out. And didn't use a base gasket. Note the nastiness all over and in the muffler because the owner likes that yucky Red Armor crap. But....look at the piston. The machine lines are still 100% intact. Nasty or not, Red Armor is good damn oil. No carbon in the exhaust port at all. Very little in the jug. Would I use Red Armor? No. But I do believe it protects an engine very well. (Amsoil Dominator FTW).

 

[Mastermind]

I thinned the screw heads in the carb....looks like that didn't cause any longevity issues.

 

[Mastermind]

Spark plug has good color, but according to the owner, and the goop outside the muffler, its been tuned far too rich.



From here on it's just a dirty old saw as you would expect from a 12 year old unit.



Heath.....this rim is shot. Dammit. LOL

 

[Mastermind]

More dirty pictures.

 

[Mastermind]

The clutch is in surprisingly good condition.

 

[Mastermind]

The intake side of the piston is not so good. Not sure if it ingested something, or is my bevels were not good enough on the intake port. The exhaust side looks nice. A little scuffing above the rings.

 

[Mastermind]

I don't think this saw needs much. I'm undecided about replacing the bearings. At this point I'm leaning toward a piston kit, and adding a base gasket.

Thoughts?

Now to give this nasty mfer a bath.

 

[dall]

I don't think this saw needs much. I'm undecided about replacing the bearings. At this point I'm leaning toward a piston kit, and adding a base gasket.

Thoughts?

Now to give this nasty mfer a bath.

jason is going to want pictures of you and the saw in the tub

 

[farminkarman]

The intake side of the piston is not so good. Not sure if it ingested something, or is my bevels were not good enough on the intake port. The exhaust side looks nice. A little scuffing above the rings. View attachment 385572View attachment 385573View attachment 385574

Given how oily the bottom end looks, I'm not sure that replacing the bearings would be needed.

 

[Mastermind]

Given how oily the bottom end looks, I'm not sure that replacing the bearing would be needed.

I really don't believe it to be needed either. BUT.....considering that it's this far apart, it probably ain't a bad idea.

 

[Firewood Hoarder]

Is the scuffing on the intake side inline with the edges of the port? Seems odd that it would be so evenly spaced to me

 

[hseII]

Is the scuffing on the intake side inline with the edges of the port? Seems odd that it would be so evenly spaced to me

You don’t know me- I’m really good at causing odd stuff to happen.

 

[hseII]

I don't think this saw needs much. I'm undecided about replacing the bearings. At this point I'm leaning toward a piston kit, and adding a base gasket.

Thoughts?

Now to give this nasty mfer a bath.

Adding a base gasket?

I thought that option was deleted in 2012?

 

[bigbadbob]

Any chance you acquired compression numbers B4 teardown??
Saw sure looks good for its age.

 

[Mastermind]

Is the scuffing on the intake side inline with the edges of the port? Seems odd that it would be so evenly spaced to me

There is a little spot in the edge of the port where the worst line is. When I did this saw I had yet to discover the benefits of using a diamond ball in a right angle handpiece to do my bevels. The bevels could have been better.

Adding a base gasket?

I thought that option was deleted in 2012?

I never leave out a base gasket if the base is thick enough to cut it for one. This is probably the only 461 I ever did without a base gasket. I'll check squish and machine the base to be able to add one.

Any chance you acquired compression numbers B4 teardown??
Saw sure looks good for its age.

I didn't check it.

 

[Firewood Hoarder]

You don’t know me- I’m really good at causing odd stuff to happen.

I know exactly what you mean haha. At any rate, with 12 years professional use, I think this saw looks great

 

[Mastermind]

I know exactly what you mean haha. At any rate, with 12 years professional use, I think this saw looks great

He has definitely taken care of it.

 

[jacob j.]

He has definitely taken care of it.

If that were a western Oregon landing saw - I'd re-ring that piston and put it right back into service.

 

[Mastermind]

If that were a western Oregon landing saw - I'd re-ring that piston and put it right back into service.

I just ordered parts.

PTO bearing
Flywheel side bearing
Wrist pin bearing
Clutch drum bearing
Gasket & seal kit
Piston Kit
Clutch drum kit with 7 pin 3/8 rim
Fuel line
Impulse line
Fuel filter
Spark plug
Carb kit