STIHL The Official Stihl Chainsaws Thread

[lehman live edge slab]

Have a guy that asked me to get his grandpa’s old lightning going. Just wants me to clean it up and make it a runner not going to really use other than maybe make one or two cuts before it gets hung in his shop. I’m just wondering if the 070 piston will work if I were to need one for it. I don’t think it will but just in case. I know the cylinder is different because of the spark plug.

 

[av8or3]

Engine has about 15 minutes since OEM refurb cyl and Meteor piston. Pics show break right in the middle of the exhaust port with corresponding damage to the cyl at that location. There are zero marks on piston or cyl anywhere else. Anybody got any ideas? Where did I go wrong? Thanks in advance. Jim
It’s a lil ole Stihl 026. Happened this morning while I was really pushing the saw.

 

[PogoInTheWoods]

I'd say the ring snagged on that port.

 

[Al Smith]

It ate something that didn't agree with it .Buff it out should be okay .

 

[PogoInTheWoods]

Looks to me like that plating is coming apart at the port and that's what it may have eaten. Think I'd at least try to chamfer/blend it back into the port before considering reusing that cylinder. But that's just me.

 

[av8or3]

Hey Fellows! Good Morning! I have a question. I have acquired a new OEM 44mm cylinder for the 026. No piston. The cyl is stamped “A” on the top and I know this is to help match it to a “like” sized piston. What “size” piston will work in this cyl? A,AB,B ?

 

[PogoInTheWoods]

1121-030-2001 is the part number for the 44mm piston. I could be wrong, but I believe the 'A' designation simply refers to the 44mm cylinder vs. the 44.7 top end which was also used on those saws. I've never run across the A, AB, B designations for these pistons or any other Stihl pistons for that matter (except maybe some very old models). OEM is pretty pricey these days at $72.00 for either piston. I'd be leaning heavily toward a Meteor unless you're intent on OEM.

 

[RI Chevy]

@drf256

 

[av8or3]

This is what I’m referring to on the piston.

 

[Stump Shot]

This is what I’m referring to on the piston. View attachment 184340

Will fit either A or B as I understand it.

 

[PogoInTheWoods]

This is what I’m referring to on the piston.

Well, then specify an 'A' or an 'AB' 1121-030-2001 and see what they say. Probably "Huh?".

What's the piston in your pic from?

 

[RI Chevy]

I thought A matched with A, B matched with B, and AB could match with either A or B.
That was my understanding. ‍

 

[av8or3]

Well, then specify an 'A' or an 'AB' 1121-030-2001 and see what they say. Probably "Huh?".

What's the piston in your pic from?

It’s a 44.7 mm OEM piston for sale on eBay.
I don’t know for sure, but I’ll bet when you buy a new piston from Stihl it’s going to be an AB. The piston/cyl kits from Stihl are matched before they are boxed. I’m also pretty sure Stumpshot is correct that the AB is good in either A or B cyl’s. That’s not the first time I’ve been exposed to that. I don’t think you can special order an A or B or AB anything. Just pay your money and take your chances. Edit.
I just purchased a brand new Stihl 026 cyl. sans piston, thought he had it but couldn’t find it. (44mm) I ordered a new piston from one of my dealers ($67) but it hasn’t arrived yet. I paid $70 for the new cyl, so I’m in the kit good for only $140. I don’t get lucky like this often, hence the bragging. Anyway, I’ll bet when the piston comes in it will be an AB to fit my A cyl. We’ll see.

 

[lehman live edge slab]

Don’t think any new stuff is marked that way for the newer saws don’t know about replacement parts for 026’s ect. I know in some of the real old stuff like an 08, 041 ect they had cylinder and pistons marked and grouped together from what the manuals said. But wouldn’t think with the ability to hold tolerances now it would be needed.

 

[lehman live edge slab]

This is straight out of a stihl 042 repair manual.

 

[lehman live edge slab]

Out of the 030/031av manual

 

[RI Chevy]

Interesting

 

[lehman live edge slab]

Just got an 076 super not long ago and was wondering if anyone knows if they really have more power than an 075, has the correct Walbro carb and extra spacer but kinda wondering if it really helped much. I know a velocity stack works but an extra 1/2” or so really enough to make any difference? Or are the super cylinders ported differently?

 

[huskyboy]

As the manual states you can run a B piston in a used A cylinder. I did that with the 394 I have here with good results.

 

[av8or3]

Ok fellows, the little is 026 lives again. I replaced the piston with a new Meteor and filed my rings for the .008 end gap. It was necessary, I don’t know by how much as the smallest feeler gage I could find was .008. Nice slip fit when finished. After a tank of runtime alternating between 10-15 second cuts followed by a minute or two of cooling, I pulled the muff for a look. Rings look good, still grey(as opposed to the polished look on the ones that busted) and no rounded edges. I now believe that was my problem. On a side note, after blending the chipped plating into the cyl, it left a divot in the center of the top and bottom shelf’s of the exhaust port. The saw sounds like it’s running with a lisp. Very strong, just sounds funny.