my favorite circlips

[jacob j.]

I wouldn't go with OEM Stihl clips in a Husqvarna piston because Stihl pistons usually have a little "relief" area on the wrist pin boss where you get the clip started and most Husqvarna pistons (even a/m) don't have this.

Yes, not all a/m pistons will be compatible with any OEM clips but there are great variances in a/m pistons (even among early and late versions of the same "brand").

The rule of thumb is: if you can use an OEM clip and it's a good fit, then go that route. Same with wrist pins- and some OEM Stihl wrist pins are a better fit in OEM or a/m Husqvarna pistons than OEM Husqvarna wrist pins.

 

[Mattyo]

Dave, no worries, that'll buff out.

 

[Terry Syd]

I like a tight fitting circlip, the right size, that fits in the groove. I also check the wrist pin to make sure if it rubs up against the clip that the pin has a tapper on the outside of the pin that 'pushes' the pin down into the groove. If the pin is flat and can push sideways on the clip, then I put the tapper on the pin so that it will push the clip into the groove. - Never lost a clip on an engine.

 

[Dub11]

Sorry bit what do you guys mean 12/6 position?

 

[Terry Syd]

The 'open end' is in the 12 or 6 o'clock position. The theory is that the deceleration of the piston at TDC has less effect on the opening of the circlip. With the opening at the 6 o'clock position, the circlip will expand into the groove when the piston is hitting maximum deceleration.

 

[Dub11]

Thanks @Terry Syd

 

[Brush Ape]

Sorry bit what do you guys mean 12/6 position?

It's kinda like the 69 but not quite as much fun.

 

[Landmark]

I use oem and meteor clips and have never seen one do this. Agree with previous comments on the steel quality must have been to blame. At least you can cut that jug in half and have a great counter display for education.

 

[drf256]

OEM clips will not work in all aftermarket pistons.

Wire diameter is too small on some I have tried to use them in.

Bingo

Neither do the wrist pins in some cases. Case in point, Stihl 046/460.

The Meteor pin is heavier, but the oem pin is a different length. IIRC, the OEM pin is longer and won't fit the Meteor correctly.

I believe the clips/grooves are a larger diameter as well. The skirts are wider by a bunch on the Meteor casting than OEM.

I try to use what's provided unless I'm 100% on the details. On an 026 piston, the pin and clips are a direct swap.

 

[tree monkey]

 

[Jughead]

Hey Dave if it makes you feel better I installed the 372 bbw kit I bought from you last year on my 372 a few days ago.I installed the circlips that came with it but got to thinking and pulled them out and picked up the OEM clips up off of the floor and installed those.
Still have the original non OEM clips and can mail those back to you if you want to include them in someone else's kit for spares.
That bbw kit really was doing some cutting and the saw stopped all violent like.had already bucked up 5-6 logs when it done it.I thought the worse.I pulled the cord and it came out and wouldn't rewind.just for the hell of it I took the recoil off to see if it would free up.wth! The flywheel sucked the drawstring out of my anorak.

 

[paragonbuilder]

Hey Dave if it makes you feel better I installed the 372 bbw kit I bought from you last year on my 372 a few days ago.I installed the circlips that came with it but got to thinking and pulled them out and picked up the OEM clips up off of the floor and installed those.
Still have the original non OEM clips and can mail those back to you if you want to include them in someone else's kit for spares.
That bbw kit really was doing some cutting and the saw stopped all violent like.had already bucked up 5-6 logs when it done it.I thought the worse.I pulled the cord and it came out and wouldn't rewind.just for the hell of it I took the recoil off to see if it would free up.wth! The flywheel sucked the drawstring out of my anorak.

That'll give ya a scare...

 

[stihl_head1982]

OEM clips will not work in all aftermarket pistons.

Wire diameter is too small on some I have tried to use them in.

This has been the main hindrance in using OEM clips on some aftermarket piston/cylinder replacement kits for me.
Then it is sometimes difficult to find an OEM replacement that will fit properly in the circlip grooves.
Many moons ago there was quite a lengthy thread on this issue on AS (oops, don't throw maters for the mention).

 

[Mastermind]

This has been the main hindrance in using OEM clips on some aftermarket piston/cylinder replacement kits for me.
Then it is sometimes difficult to find an OEM replacement that will fit properly in the circlip grooves.
Many moons ago there was quite a lengthy thread on this issue on AS (oops, don't throw maters for the mention).

No worries about mentioning ArboristSite, or any other saw related sites.

 

[huskyboy]

I heard using a 064 piston in a bb kit 372 gains some compression and power, and the stihl meteor circlips and piston are probably better quality than the aftermarket bb and not much more expensive. I'd like to try one if I find another worn out 372.

 

[cus_deluxe]

Sweet finger ports

 

[Lone Wolf]

I wonder if the installern compressed them too much that they lost some spring tension and came out...

I have done that myself but whenever i install clips I spin them to 12 o clock position then I try to move it a little with a pick to see how much tension is on it and I use reading glasses to look at it to double check it is seated right. If it dont have the right tension yank it out! Once you do a few you know what It should feel like.

 

[srcarr52]

I think the double ear circlips get a bad rap because people deform them when installing them. I only squeeze them just enough to rock them in and I've never had one fail.

 

[mdavlee]

I have poked my thumb for the last time. I got the oem stihl installer for the 12mm circlips. That said I use the oem or meteor if that's the piston I'm using.

 

[Jughead]

I heard using a 064 piston in a bb kit 372 gains some compression and power, and the stihl meteor circlips and piston are probably better quality than the aftermarket bb and not much more expensive. I'd like to try one if I find another worn out 372.

sweet! the kit i put on was .020 to.022 and runs like a scalded dog.may just try the 064 piston.

edit
squish was with base gasket delete