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039 top end on an 029

NCPT

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Buddy give me an ms290 to get running after he tried putting on a new AM carb, fuel line and filter, and a new filter. Asked him if he'd looked at the piston, he said no. This is what it looks like.......
20190208_074835.jpg

Thinking this would be a good candidate for an 039 top end. Is this a direct bolt on and is it worthwhile? Thanks.
 

Dub11

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Yes go for it. HL Supply even has a pop up piston for the 039/390 head.
 

Carhartt

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Only reason to have that size saw is to have the 039/390 p/c in my opinion. It really makes them a good firewood saw for the weight. I pick up every 029/290 blown up I can find.
 

Slacker

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Tagged.
I have a 390 that needs a top end.
Been eyeballing the HS supply setup.
It will be a learning project for me.

ETA, I'm also in NC.
Let's order two HS supply top ends and spit shipping.
 

Fishnuts2

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I made my 029S into a real Super by using a 039 kit, muffler mod, and advancing the timing a bit. It runs even with my 036Pro in Red Oak.
 

a. palmer jr.

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I have 3 to do this Spring and all will have the 390 kits with mild muffler mod. I don't like to go too radical on the muffler because of the noise and damage to hearing..
 

NCPT

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Thanks for the replies! So 039 top end it will be....I'm not going to tell my buddy til after he runs it lol.

What muffler mod? Just drilling bigger holes? I noticed the muffler is one piece with a baffle in it.
 

beaglebriar

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Thanks for the replies! So 039 top end it will be....I'm not going to tell my buddy til after he runs it lol.

What muffler mod? Just drilling bigger holes? I noticed the muffler is one piece with a baffle in it.
Drill some holes in the rectangular indentation under the deflector. You can open most of that area if you don't mind a little noise. Then notch the deflector back a LITTLE bit. No need to go crazy there. I'll see if I have pics....if not I have another here to do soon.


How much you open the can is gonna determine decibel level. I can tell you that the way I mod them makes it uncomfortable to run without ear plugs.
 

fearofpavement

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Drill some holes in the rectangular indentation under the deflector. You can open most of that area if you don't mind a little noise. Then notch the deflector back a LITTLE bit. No need to go crazy there. I'll see if I have pics....if not I have another here to do soon.


How much you open the can is gonna determine decibel level. I can tell you that the way I mod them makes it uncomfortable to run without ear plugs.
No one should run any chainsaw without earplugs or muffs. (except electric)
 

fearofpavement

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The next 029/039 rebuild I'm going to do, I plan to use one of the pop up pistons on a cleaned up 49mm OEM jug. Have people generally been happy with the pop up? ie, does it actually generate more power?
I know that a muffler mod on this series is almost a requirement and makes a significant difference in power.
 

fearofpavement

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Buddy give me an ms290 to get running after he tried putting on a new AM carb, fuel line and filter, and a new filter. Asked him if he'd looked at the piston, he said no. This is what it looks like.......
View attachment 163873

Thinking this would be a good candidate for an 039 top end. Is this a direct bolt on and is it worthwhile? Thanks.
From looking at the pic, I doubt the cylinder would be salvageable on that one. Sometimes you have to clean them up before a final determination can be made. Anytime I have an 1127 series saw engine apart, I always go to the 49mm cylinder. I wouldn't take apart a good running saw to upgrade it.
 

Terry Syd

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Have people generally been happy with the pop up? ie, does it actually generate more power?

My saw liked to cut at around 11,000 rpm. After the pop-up it now likes to cut at 11,400. There is also more torque through the rpm range.

I didn't think the small pop-up would make that big of difference in the compression, but it does depend on how small your combustion chamber is to begin with. I remove the gaskets from under the sparkplug and de-comp to tighten up the combustion chamber.

Whereas the de-comp was working fine before the pop-up, after installing the pop-up the de-comp kept triggering too early. I had to drill the hole larger, test, drill larger, test, drill it larger - I finally got it working correctly. That was the only 'problem' I had with the mod.
 

Terry Syd

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I'm still working on dialing in the HD-5. I think I'm getting close. The idle is still a tad too rich, so I think I may have to go back in and drill an air bleed/transition hole.

I can stop it in the cut, bar buried with an 8-pin and it comes off the bottom nice and strong, but I think there is a bit more in it.

When I get it where I like it, I'll let you guys know what the mods were. These HDs are a pain compared to the Zamas.

I'm not cutting now as I have pulled a muscle in my back. Crikey, just getting out of bed is a major effort...
 

grizz55chev

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My saw liked to cut at around 11,000 rpm. After the pop-up it now likes to cut at 11,400. There is also more torque through the rpm range.

I didn't think the small pop-up would make that big of difference in the compression, but it does depend on how small your combustion chamber is to begin with. I remove the gaskets from under the sparkplug and de-comp to tighten up the combustion chamber.

Whereas the de-comp was working fine before the pop-up, after installing the pop-up the de-comp kept triggering too early. I had to drill the hole larger, test, drill larger, test, drill it larger - I finally got it working correctly. That was the only 'problem' I had with the mod.
Plug that decomp, not really needed and it’s a source of a possible leak.
 
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