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Porting the dolmar 421...

Red97

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Goes to show ya (as I have been learning), there is no universal set of "tricks" that works perfect for every different saw out there.

And on your tach doing weird things: I was attempting to clock my ported 372XPW after my first stage of porting changes and was still running the limited coil at that time.. I would throttle the saw, RPMs would climb on the tach then tumble down. The rev limiter plays hell with the tach.

Nice work on the 421. I've had a bit of an itch for one for awhile, thanks for making it a full blown case of the hives!! LOL!

Question on the 421: Does it have "pro grade" type cases or is it clamshell with a plastic case/oil tank?

Fun little saw for sure. Every saw is just a little bit different finding what they like in terms of porting.

My tach just hits a wall, dosent bounce or act crazy. Just says I'm not going any higher.

Joe, if it's still 4 stroking at the limiter, you aren't out of carb ... yet.

Nice work BTW.

Thank you, if it was unlimited coil, I feel a greater amount of air would be benifical.

I think he means bigger Venturi to allow more airflow. It's definitely getting enough fuel.

This ^
 

Backtroller

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I think I've figured out a solution to the roadblocks. I think they should just bolt on. Big C3M should flow enough right? 192t flywheel should spin a little fasterimage.jpeg
 

Red97

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Well 3 unbiased opinions and 100 miles apart the dolmar was 0/3 against the echo.

Each said the dolmar just couldn't hang with the echo once ported.

Only thing they knew about the saws was.
1) both ported to the best of my ability
2) same bar/Chain.

Didn't want to skew the results.

Wonder what the actual retail price difference is?

Dolmar 16" with the 5105 rim setup.?
Echo retail is 349.99
 

exSW

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Well 3 unbiased opinions and 100 miles apart the dolmar was 0/3 against the echo.

Each said the dolmar just couldn't hang with the echo once ported.

Only thing they knew about the saws was.
1) both ported to the best of my ability
2) same bar/Chain.

Didn't want to skew the results.

Wonder what the actual retail price difference is?

Dolmar 16" with the 5105 rim setup.?
Echo retail is 349.99
Depending on how well you get the 421 bought $350.00 with the conversion is about right.
 

Genius

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I'm thrilled with what Red97 did with this saw. The porting and machine work look great and Joe's level of attention is first rate. The saw definitely sounds better and obviously is stronger in the cut. With a broader power band and more torque, I think I'm really going to enjoy using it.

I know Joe was hoping for more but he created a beast out of 490 to compare it against. Displacement is hard to overcome and with the lack of a better coil and carb, I'm totally satisfied.

When I get it back I'm going to try a 18" .325 bar (but will probably run the same low pro set up Joe used for general use) and compare it to my stock 026 Pro with the same chain and 18" bar. We'll see how badly it beats up on my second favorite Stihl.

You will be truly impressed with this saw I am sure. I know that I was.

Joe stopped by this afternoon and I ran the 421 along with the 490. This saw felt to me like a muffler modded 50cc saw.

Obviously the Echo was the strongest and fastest, but we are comparing apples to oranges between the two. The Echo has 10cc's on the little Dolmar.

For the price point on this saw, and being a pro built saw I would seriously look into a 421 for myself.


Thank you for the kind words.

Had I not compared directly with the echo I think the gains would be more noticeable.

Never ran a stock 026, but the little dolmar should hold its own against a stock one. Make sure to try the .325 vs the lo pro.

You never ran a stock 026????

Why didn't you say that???? I had one in my shop that I just finished up the other day.
 

Red97

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You will be truly impressed with this saw I am sure. I know that I was.

Joe stopped by this afternoon and I ran the 421 along with the 490. This saw felt to me like a muffler modded 50cc saw.

Obviously the Echo was the strongest and fastest, but we are comparing apples to oranges between the two. The Echo has 10cc's on the little Dolmar.

For the price point on this saw, and being a pro built saw I would seriously look into a 421 for myself.




You never ran a stock 026????

Why didn't you say that???? I had one in my shop that I just finished up the other day.

We were short on time.
That was pretty much my thoughts on the dolmar too.

Has anyone who's RUN a 420/421 not liked it?

Exactly.

This "comparison" was very hard to do.
Bing the dolmar is 8cc smaller, no way to expect it to out run a built 50cc.
The little dolmar is just a pleasure to run. Simple fact. Nothing really stands out, but it is just plain nice to use. Hard to put it in words. Must be a dolmar thing. Lol
 

Idahonative

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I'm glad Red97 is doing what he's doing...bringing a lot of good info into these forums. I like the Dolmar's. I look at them kind of like I look at the Echo's...quality built, reasonably priced, and capable of performing right there with Stihl and Husky with a little help.

For me, comparing the ps-421 to the cs-490, is an easy decision. I bought my cs490 off Ebay NIB for $303 shipped to my door. The Echo is lighter at 10.6 lbs. vs. the 421 at 10.8 lbs. and the Echo has 7.8 cc more displacement (15.5% more than the 421). I ran a 20" bar on my MMWS 500p this week, buried in some green wind blown Red Fir. It cuts like there's no tomorrow and the cs490 shares the same engine.

I believe both saws are worthy of consideration. Pick them up and see how they feel in your hands. One thing I REALLY like about the Echo's is where they are made. All my saws say "Made in Japan". And I have yet to see an OEM Echo part that says "Made in China". All that I have seen say "Made in Japan". That's a big deal to me because (IMO) Japan=high quality, China=low quality. Sourcing parts to China seems to be popular among the big chainsaw manufacturers these days.
 
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RIDE-RED 350r

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We were short on time.
That was pretty much my thoughts on the dolmar too.



Exactly.

This "comparison" was very hard to do.
Bing the dolmar is 8cc smaller, no way to expect it to out run a built 50cc.
The little dolmar is just a pleasure to run. Simple fact. Nothing really stands out, but it is just plain nice to use. Hard to put it in words. Must be a dolmar thing. Lol

Exactly how I describe my Husky 359 I just resurrected with a base gasket delete and basic lower transfer cleanup. :)

I'd say the little 421 is damned respectable despite not running neck and neck with the Echo a size larger. Both run well. :)
 

Simondo

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What is funny even after all this great info. I will still pick up a 421 just for how smooth it is.
And that is why there are many saw makers and saws that are not all the same .....There is personal choice as well as raw statistics when you get to a certain level . IMO :)
 
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Backtroller

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image.jpeg Red97 sent back the saw today. It arrived well packed and looking good as new. No one would ever know it's been ported from the exterior which I appreciate. While I haven't started it yet (it's late and I do like my neighbors) I did pull it over and it definitely takes more effort than it did stock.

I am hoping to try a loop of 18" .325 on it to compare this to 3/8 lp. Ill find little trimming to do this weekend and I'll run it a little.

Here's a comparison of a GB low pro 18" vs a .325 18" Oregon bar.image.jpegimage.jpeg
 

Red97

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View attachment 20432 Red97 sent back the saw today. It arrived well packed and looking good as new. No one would ever know it's been ported from the exterior which I appreciate. While I haven't started it yet (it's late and I do like my neighbors) I did pull it over and it definitely takes more effort than it did stock.

I am hoping to try a loop of 18" .325 on it to compare this to 3/8 lp. Ill find little trimming to do this weekend and I'll run it a little.

Here's a comparison of a GB low pro 18" vs a .325 18" Oregon bar.View attachment 20434View attachment 20433

Sweet!!

Glad it made it, hope you enjoy the undercover monster lol.

I was thinking those gb 18" looked pretty long, proves it sitting next to the oregon.

Oh and subscribed :)
 
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