HLS MS290 cylinder review

[MS290man]

Ok guys, first off I'm no pro, don't make a living with a saw and fairly new to this CAD thing. In my own defense tho I am a mechanical engineer by education and I've spent most of my career in development and manufacturing of all kinds of equipment (automotive and industrial). Been a gear head all my life, fascinated by all things mechanical. So that helps. Just started playing with saw back in June and have done 23 repairs / rebuilds since then.

The cylinder packaging is pretty cool but a fancy box don't mean nuthin. Nice touch though.

The cylinder itself looks pretty good; nice finish (but a little inconsistent in between the fins and some other hard to reach areas). A little rough where it was cut off the sprue but threads look good and clean, and no pitting or inclusions that I could find.

 

[MS290man]

Moar pics

The ports look symmetrical and cleanly beveled

Dome looks nice as well

 

[MS290man]

The base is clean, no machining marks (marks in the plating though, but no depth).


Overall so far me likey.
Pics of all the parts in the box. Two sets of circlips, bonus!


Won't get to the bench till Sunday; I'll post an update then.

 

[Adirondackstihl]

Looks much better than what we've seen so far!

 

[stihl_head1982]

Looks much better than what we've seen so far!

+1 for me. I've looked at the pics of the other cylinders -- by far this is the best I've seen (even though the others are no raving beauties).
I am still positive that efforts to improve quality of the Aftermarket cylinders can come through these types of reviews.

 

[Czed]

Looks good much better than some I've seen .
I cut most of the g off those circlips when i have to use them sometimes oem circlips won't fit am pistons I've used a lot of those am pistons and rings they are holding up great.

 

[MS290man]

Change in plans; decided not to rip down a good running saw with original OEM parts. Talked to a few buddies and found a donor 290 with a scored P&C. Should have it today or tomorrow so more progress updates then.

 

[MS290man]

Saw is in the house! Unboxed it last night but forgot to take pics of it before disassembly started. Typical dirty saw but doesn't look abused or ever apart. Compression measures at 130 PSI; prolly would run. Hate working on dirty saws so I ripped her apart and started cleaning. Progress for today...

 

[Wagnerwerks]

Man... Now I'm in last place again. Better bring down my box o parts. Lol.

 

[MS290man]

Got the stock cylinder off and grime washed off. Pics side by side with the AM cylinder (OEM is on right).....

 

[MS290man]

Dimensionally, these two cylinders are very close. Width of the transfer ports are within .010 of each other. And the depths from the base are also within .010 of each other. The exhaust port on the aftermarket cylinder is slightly smaller top to bottom but the intake port is almost identical. Going to go ahead and slap the aftermarket cylinder on the saw and see where we go. More updates later.

 

[Dub11]

How does that impulse nipple feel? ?

 

[T.Roller]

How does that impulse nipple feel? ?

I like nipples...

 

[Dub11]

Hairless ones I hope

I like nipples...

 

[T.Roller]

Hairless ones I hope

Don't judge me!

 

[Dub11]

Don't judge me!

Long story short in high school a buddy of mine had an Italian exchange student chick stay with is older sister She probably had some.

All right im done with the muckery of the thread sorry

 

[T.Roller]

Long story short in high school a buddy of mine had an Italian exchange student chick stay with is older sister She probably had some.

All right im done with the muckery of the thread sorry

Mucked away lol

 

[Terry Syd]

You said the OEM cylinder was scored, perhaps you can take a picture of where it was scored and post it.

I found that these jugs always score in the same place, that place is where the PTO side of the jug has the thick boss for the muffler bolt. The thick boss is a result of the casting technique. The boss not only blocks the air from flowing through the fins in that area, but also expands and pushes inward on the cylinder. The result is less clearance and more heat in that area.

The fix is to drill out the casting in that area so the air can flow through. It is a simple fix, just drill out and Dremel the blockage.

 

[MS290man]

Pics of OEM cylinder and piston


PO said cylinder was scored; some marks on the exhaust side but I can barely feel them. Not as bad as was described. Intake side is clean on both piston and cylinder.

 

[Dub11]

How did those circlips feel?