272xp Rebuild and Port

[Magic_Man]

Well fellas, since the Rookie 181/288 ugly duckling rebuild went so well my old man wants me to refresh his beloved 272xp before we start cutting this spring. He said it doesn't pull like it used to and thinks it needs a new ring. Also said the last few times he ran the saw it was turning crazy high rpm's but lacked torque. With the knowledge I have gained from here it sounds like an air leak to me. So I'm gonna completely inspect and pressure/vacuum test before going any further.

My intentions with this saw are to obviously make needed repairs but also to dig in and do some power mods. He ran the Masterminded Ugly Duckling and now has the bug for more power. Now, I know that I am not going to be able to mod a saw to be anything close to what Randy can do, he's a professional and I'm just a hobbiest hack. If it was mine I would send it to Randy, but my old mans tight, and I like to tinker, so I guess this jobs mine. Lol I wanna do the basics like a muffler mod, gasket delete, and some mild port work, venture into port timing changes. From what I hear, a little bit goes a long way in the 272xp.

There was another thread I had started about a recipie or suggestions on building this saw, I would be greatful if the guys that contributed to that thread would join in on this thread as well.

Thanks Again to Everyone for such a great site with a wealth of knowledge and a friendly environment . It has made this hobby more addictive than it already is.

 

[Magic_Man]

Alright, so we are gonna skip the basics here. I did a pressure/vac test and it failed miserably. Both crank seals leaking, oil pump o-ring leaking, and decomp leaking. With a plug in the decomp was only able to get 120psi on a compression test.

Tore everything down and found a bone dry bottom end with a lightly scored piston.

 

[Magic_Man]

Cylinder has some light transfer, will clean up super easy.

 

[Magic_Man]

My next issue lies in the bottom end. These bearings are shot ! Chunky is the word that comes to mind, they haven't come apart yet but are in bad shape.

What is everybody's recommendation on splitting cases ? I have seen some homemade splitters that mount to the bar studs. I've seen a couple C clamps zip tied together. Then there is the tool made for the job that costs about $80.

Is the $80 tool really worth it for a hobby guy like myself ?

 

[exSW]

Is the $80 tool really worth it for a hobby guy like myself ?

To each his own. Mine laid around for a year(I bought it on sale) before I used it. Sure worked slick. If there's a pattern cutter handy they're pretty easy to build.

 

[Fifelaker]

PM sent.

 

[Magic_Man]

I could build the bar mount style pretty easy. It's seems that style is putting a lot of stress on the studs in a direction they weren't designed to.

 

[calebng15]

Subscribed! Have a 272 just like this one. Needs bearing and some cylinder cleaning up. Looking forward to watching this!

 

[calebng15]

I made one. I'll have to take pics of it later today. Used it on the bar studs.

 

[Danders]

Is the $80 tool really worth it for a hobby guy like myself ?

I'm in the same boat on this, although I have been more willing of late to buy specialty tools when needed. I'll probably end up buying a case splitter.

 

[mt.stalker]

How is your local dealer ? Mine would split it for me for $5-10 , If it was tore down to that point .

 

[lwhaples]

Built mine from the print on line. Also made the bar type,which came first and worked just fine.

 

[merc_man]

Subscribed. Here for info

 

[Magic_Man]

How is your local dealer ? Mine would split it for me for $5-10 , If it was tore down to that point .

I asked , they don't even have case splitters. About all they fix are carburetors, impulse hoses and fuel lines. Anything else and the saw is considered junk.

 

[Mattyo]

 

[Mattyo]

46 min mark is how I split the case on the 262xp... I imagine the 272xp is similar.

 

[PA Dan]

I used the orange one on my 272. Many ways to get the case apart though. Heat does wonders!

 

[merc_man]

I used the orange one on my 272. Many ways to get the case apart though. Heat does wonders!

Do they work on all saws or brand specific

 

[PA Dan]

They have worked on Stihl 024-880 and Husky 262 & 272 so far.

 

[Canadian farm boy]

@Magic_Man, member glock37 makes and sells case splitters. Powder coated and everything. I think they look great.

Heres a link to the thread where he talks a bit about them and shows a couple pictures of them

http://opeforum.com/posts/38942/