044 P/C Aftermarket or OE?

[MarcS]

Are there any good quality after market p/c kits out there or do you have to stick with OE? Not sure what the current state of the aftermarket world is. No big bore, just a good standard bore replacement.

 

[Maintenance Chief]

I used a Meteor piston kit for my 044 10mm build with the oem cylinder. I haven't had any problems with it.

 

[MarcS]

Thanks, it seems Meteor might be the best option for aftermarket. I’ve skimmed many threads over the years about farmertec, hyway, nwp but never paid enough attention to know if they are a viable option and it seems the manufacturing quality seems to change rapidly in both directions.

 

[Maintenance Chief]

I have used just about all types of pistons and the meteor are definitely a higher quality control peice, that being said quality rings is one thing I never skimp on. Even crappie LRB pistons get Caber or OEM rings.

 

[trooney]

I've had some success with Hyway cylinders but that can be iffy now too I've heard. I had an 044 that I put a Hyway cylinder on that had awesome compression, only saw I wish I hadn't sold. That being said, I'd go OEM for the cylinder, Meteor for the piston.

 

[farminkarman]

How much are you planning on using the saw? My experience with hyway has not been good....they look good out of the box, but the plating doesn't seem to stay put. I just recently built an 044 kit saw for a friend of mine. The farmertec jug actually had pretty good timing numbers as it was....still ended up cutting the squish & base & porting it. If you are gonna run the saw a lot, I would stick with at least an OEM cylinder. If you're only cutting a few cords a year, then AM is probably fine.

 

[Stump Shot]

Are there any good quality after market p/c kits out there or do you have to stick with OE? Not sure what the current state of the aftermarket world is. No big bore, just a good standard bore replacement.

I would say the correct answer would be on the end usage of the saw.
For me when porting a cylinder it needs to be OEM then if need be a Meteor piston will keep it running just fine.
The saw is in Pro hands, it needs to be OEM with preferably an OEM piston.
For a firewood guy at home(not one for a living, see above) the Meteor P&C kit could be entertained to install as is no mods done, they are tough as nails, so much so that they are difficult to work over. The good news is they are that much harder to destroy.
As far as money goes, you can find a good used cylinder and a new piston for about the price of the Meteor kit. Put a want add in here and somebody most likely can help you out with a used cylinder.

 

[smokey7]

I would first talk to the duke about one of his premium kits if aftermarket leaned towards and price is a concern. As said used oem jug with meteor slug is a great option.

I thought the meteor 044 pistons had the rod boss too wide in the piston?

 

[David Young]

046/460 jugs are scarce but I bet there are lots of good 044 used kits out there.