Next up, round 2-288xp rebuild

[roadster27]

Hi everyone. I just did a thread about my 272xp build which was my first ever saw build and mod. I will be going back into that saw at some point and posting updates in that thread as I do so.

This thread will be about my 2nd ever attempt at a saw build, a 288xp that I bought at a pawn shop. Unlike the 272 thread, (i joint this forum after that saw was back together...) this one will be done in real time for the most part as I go through the build. It will not be a hi speed build as I have a wife, 2 small kids and a business to run. This is just a fun Hobby to get me out of the house and into the garage. You know, some me time....

When I bought this saw the pawn shop owner said "it's a runner".... but we all know what that can mean. Lol. He wanted $399.99 for it... I tried to start it and the thing popped and sputtered a few times and that was it. The fuel tank was empty and smelled like varnish.... the compression felt pretty weak to me. I told him if it had gas I'm sure it would "run" but even a wore out '72 bug can get you across town, that fact by it self doesn't make it a good car... I said in the word of cahinsaws there are "runners", "builders", and "parts saw". This saw may "run" but that doesn't put it in the first category. It did have a 36" b/c on it and was complete.

I was looking for one of these to build for a little while. He wanted way to much I thought for this saw so I offered $200 he would move off of $250...I had 3 options as I was holding this saw:
1-wait and try to find one better locally for sale at a good price... who knows how long that can take.
2-wait, look and find a builder on line for a good price and pay the shipping.
Or
3- Buy this one for $250 and move on....
I picked option 3....
Please let me know if I did ok or payed to much....
I did start to take it apart before I realized that I didn't have any pictures of it before hand so I mocked it back up for you guys. Right away we know it needs a new clutch side cover....
I look forward to having this community helping on the build, I can't do it on my own.

 

[cus_deluxe]

If its complete and top ends not torched you did just fine paying 250 imo. Great saws and easy as heck to work on

 

[XP_Slinger]

Overall design is very similar to the 272 you rebuilt, they’re simple saws to work on which is why a lot of guys (including myself) enjoy them. Husky built the 2-series right. Looking forward to the build

 

[roadster27]

Well, I started to take the 288 all the way apart...
Beings as I know nothing about the history of this saw and have the tools I decided to split the case a see what we got... I'm glad I did...
Another rookie move... split the case with out draining to bar oil.... Nice

Might be time to clean up the bench a little bit....

 

[roadster27]

This saw looked ok from the out side. I think someone whipped it down quick before the pawned it.

But on the inside.... This thing was packed full with saw dust....

And these little round brown balls that were in odd places. One of which was the size of a marble and down between the coil and the front of the case.

They are sawdust and oil formed over time by just rolling around in the corners.....
I don't think the last guy ever cleaned this thing....

 

[roadster27]

This thing does have spark but I'm sure it will work a little better after some cleaning....


The amount of filth in this thing makes me think the last guy liked lots of bar oil and dual chains.....

 

[roadster27]

And these bearings.... well, let's just say "Crunchy"!

 

[XP_Slinger]

Fairly typical condition as far as cleanliness goes, just think of it as a protective layer for the paint and plastics...lol!

 

[Intoxsawcated]

How did you manage to get the flywheel off? Mine seems permanent.

Sent from my SM-S327VL using Tapatalk

 

[cus_deluxe]

I modified the legs on a small 2-jaw puller that i use. Doesnt work as well on smaller saws but lots of room on bigger saws.

 

[Dub11]

Well, I started to take the 288 all the way apart...
Beings as I know nothing about the history of this saw and have the tools I decided to split the case a see what we got... I'm glad I did...
Another rookie move... split the case with out draining to bar oil.... Nice
View attachment 147897 View attachment 147896
Might be time to clean up the bench a little bit....
View attachment 147898

If ya didn't know you will now but mag saws on concrete will make them vulnerable to white death.

 

[XP_Slinger]

How did you manage to get the flywheel off? Mine seems permanent.

Sent from my SM-S327VL using Tapatalk

Usually a sharp strike on the end of the crank with a brass drift or brass hammer makes them pop.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Yep, you did good for $250 IMO. How does the cylinder look??

Hooray 288!

 

[roadster27]

How did you manage to get the flywheel off? Mine seems permanent.

Sent from my SM-S327VL using Tapatalk

Just like @XP_Slinger mentioned. I built a "flywheel knocker", One for my 272 and one for my 288. It is a piece of 3/4" round stock that I knurled then faced it in my lathe for true, then welded an old flywheel nut on to the end. Threads right on to the crank end. The crank should bottoms out against the 3/4" stock inside the nut. You don't want to be driving agains the threads! Tread it on snug making sure the nut is not bottomed out against the flywheel, then hold the remaining saw carcass off the bench by the flywheel (probably do this part later in the tear down if possible so it lighter) with one hand and give it a few, not hard, just firm, sharp smacks with a hammer, doesn't even need to be a big hammer. Your just "shocking" it. Should come right off. I think that some of the saw manufacturers might even have a part number for this type of tool...

 

[roadster27]

If ya didn't know you will now but mag saws on concrete will make them vulnerable to white death.

Yeah I don't keep them there. That saw on the ground is just a 2100 parts saw really bad cracked case. I'm into cars and you find a lot of magnesium 12 spoke spindle Mount front wheels that are half rotted away from that problem. Mag does not like being grounded or moisture!

 

[Dub11]

Yeah I don't keep them there. That saw on the ground is just a 2100 parts saw really bad cracked case. I'm into cars and you find a lot of magnesium 12 spoke spindle Mount front wheels that are half rotted away from that problem. Mag does not like being grounded or moisture!

Right on!

 

[p61 western]

How does the top end look?

 

[roadster27]

How does the top end look?

Good question.
Like I posted earlier. I think this saw had pretty low comp. when I got it. Not sure what to do here.
What do you all think?

The lines above the exhaust port can't be felt really at all. The small searches below the intake are from me. I lightly moved a pick across to see if there was still plating on it. There is... How ever, to me the plating is looking a little thin..... there is no real sign of cross hatching left where the piston rides. But what do you guys think?

 

[roadster27]

Here is a look at the piston.

You can see some wear on the skirts where it has polished on the cylinder to a different color (I know this is common). I haven't put a mic on it yet to see how bad it is.... what do you guys think?

 

[roadster27]

Factory p/c kits are around $150-$160. I could pick one up. So I have a few options:
1- Buy new p/c oem kit.
2- Hone the cylinder and put a new ring on this piston.
3- Hone the cylinder and put a meteor piston kit in it.
I could also buy an oem kit for later and do options 2 or 3 to play with now..... or....
Opinions?