Orange plastics differences 029 to MS290

[fearofpavement]

It drives me bonkers that nearly all the aftermarket sellers make no differentiation between plastics on the 029, 029S, 039 and the newer MS290, MS310 and MS390.
While a few of the earliest MS series saws had the flat top, almost all of them have the later style profile with the hump on the top plastics. All the 0 series plastics can be fitted to the MS series saws and vice versa but they cannot be mixed and matched. If one does a search for an air filter cover for an MS310, it will return the flat top version which will NOT fit the MS310. One would think that after making thousands of returns, sellers would catch on that there's two different styles with different part numbers.
Specifically the styles in conflict are the orange parts of these 1127 series saws. Also the air pre-filter is different as it fits under the differently profiled plastics.

There is an opportunity for an aftermarket seller to tap into this large market with the correct profile parts. That would be the rear handle, the air filter cover and the pre-filter. @definitivedave or HL Supply needs to get on this!
I wind up buying the pre-filters from Stihl as I've never found an aftermarket source. I won't pay $30 for an 0em air filter cover so I have a saw that is complete except for that. It's just going to sit there until I find an affordable solution.

Anyone else frustrated by this issue or is it just me?

 

[Chainsaw Jim]

Better hurry while it's available.


https://m.ebay.com/itm/STIHL-MS290-...920712?hash=item2394b7ad08:g:WncAAOSwYc5aKWBW

 

[fearofpavement]

Thanks for the tip. It's coming my way.
I had just been on eBay prior to writing the above post and that didn't show up for me.

 

[fearofpavement]

 

[fearofpavement]

The above shows the profile of the older style air filter cover.

 

[stihl_head1982]

It drives me bonkers that nearly all the aftermarket sellers make no differentiation between plastics on the 029, 029S, 039 and the newer MS290, MS310 and MS390.
While a few of the earliest MS series saws had the flat top, almost all of them have the later style profile with the hump on the top plastics. All the 0 series plastics can be fitted to the MS series saws and vice versa but they cannot be mixed and matched. If one does a search for an air filter cover for an MS310, it will return the flat top version which will NOT fit the MS310. One would think that after making thousands of returns, sellers would catch on that there's two different styles with different part numbers.
Specifically the styles in conflict are the orange parts of these 1127 series saws. Also the air pre-filter is different as it fits under the differently profiled plastics.

There is an opportunity for an aftermarket seller to tap into this large market with the correct profile parts. That would be the rear handle, the air filter cover and the pre-filter. @definitivedave or HL Supply needs to get on this!
I wind up buying the pre-filters from Stihl as I've never found an aftermarket source. I won't pay $30 for an 0em air filter cover so I have a saw that is complete except for that. It's just going to sit there until I find an affordable solution.

Anyone else frustrated by this issue or is it just me?

In answer to your question, yes. The transition in parts design made it a challenge to match things up. Also the aftermarket parts (as in rear handle/top cover and filter box) that I have purchased have fitment issues. Usually even if you buy the aftermarket set (squared filter box design) they still don't fit well. If you mix and match, OEM top handle and the aftermarket cover -- its usually odd looking or does not fit well.

 

[a. palmer jr.]

Yes, I have an 036 like that. Originally an 034 I put an 036 kit in it and a new top plastic for a 36. I also bought the 036 air filter cover and air filter but they would not fit so now I have the cylinder cover with a hump and an A/F cover without plus still using the old 034 filter.

 

[fearofpavement]

View attachment 100595 Yes, I have an 036 like that. Originally an 034 I put an 036 kit in it and a new top plastic for a 36. I also bought the 036 air filter cover and air filter but they would not fit so now I have the cylinder cover with a hump and an A/F cover without plus still using the old 034 filter.

I think that top cover is actually for an MS360.

 

[94BULLITT]

The Chinese get mixed up on the "0" saws and the "MS" saws. They think everything is the same.

 

[Wood Doctor]

View attachment 100595 Yes, I have an 036 like that. Originally an 034 I put an 036 kit in it and a new top plastic for a 36. I also bought the 036 air filter cover and air filter but they would not fit so now I have the cylinder cover with a hump and an A/F cover without plus still using the old 034 filter.

Complete ditto. I did almost exactly the same thing:

However, no decomp valve on mine and the shroud was still in good shape. Saw runs fine today, but when I got it, the whole thing was dismantled and the owner could not even assemble it.

 

[a. palmer jr.]

I think that top cover is actually for an MS360.

You're probably right. I just got it so I wouldn't have to modify the 034 plastic to fit, plus it was cracked. I tried a few different things to make the air filter cover fit but several things were different like the carburetor mounting bolts and the tank vent. but finally just gave up. It runs pretty good though..

 

[fearofpavement]

Better hurry while it's available.


https://m.ebay.com/itm/STIHL-MS290-...920712?hash=item2394b7ad08:g:WncAAOSwYc5aKWBWView attachment 100135

This person had two of these. I bought both of them. One will allow me to put an MS390 on the market and the other is a "spare".