So, I couldn't resist and popped the top off the 390 today.
First and foremost, this saw does not bear the signs of a saw with alot of use on it in my opinion. Remarkably clean in all the usual places you would expect to find alot of gunk and rash.
Secondly, I fired it up and noticed it has a rattle to it, particularly at low RPM and idle. To me it sounded like the lower rod bearing.
So off came the top end for a peek. I did find a cylinder with some fine, mild streaking, but not from transfer. I believe this to be the result of carbon as I found to piston crown, chamber, and exhaust port to be heavily encrusted. I have no qualms about continuing to use the cylinder but I think I will toss in a new Meteor when she goes back together as the piston shows the most wear, albeit still serviceable. I should note the pics make the markings look alot worse than they really are
On to the rattle, it was tricky without splitting the bottom end, but I was able to determine with almost 100% confidence that the rattle is coming from the lower rod bearing. It faint, but I was able to hear and feel that little bit of play with carefully controlled small up and down movement of the rod with the crank at mid stroke. I still feel this saw is a winner despite my strong feeling that I need to replace the crank.
So here are some pics and you can see for yourself all the tell-tale areas that don't tell a tale of a well used and worn saw.
She's back together and will wait her turn now.
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