Stihl MS290 bar/chain conversion

[Johnnybar]

We are just trying to follow your logic, I guess.....

The OP stated the following...so I gave him the best route to take:

I wouldn't mind going back to .325" but it seems like a different drive sprocket would be needed for this? Can anyone provide some insight into what my options are here? Am I missing anything? Again, I appreciate any thoughts here!

 

[HarleyT]

Yeah, all of that is obvious as hell, but you were trying to make some point to the guy over the 8 tooth sprocket,
we are just trying to figure that out.

He is talking about a 16" bar...
Why not spin the heck out of it if you're going short?

 

[Johnnybar]

Yeah, all of that is obvious as hell, but you were trying to make some point to the guy over the 8 tooth sprocket,
we are just trying to figure that out.

Others have stated why and I agree that 8 is too much for the 290 as an all around saw. If you are pruning trees, keeping cuts smallish, etc. 8 would not be an issue.

 

[FishNJ]

????? That is what Stihl put on the ms290... Worked great for me.

Try the 7 and I bet you like it better.

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[HarleyT]

I cannot say really, I have always used the 8 tooth, and it handles it fine. I have one on my old 029 with the smaller piston, and it does good, never had a reason to switch to the 7. But if he went to a rim, it wouldn't be a big issue to get all 3....

 

[LoveStihlQuality]

Most 290's come with. 325. btw, which oil is best?

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[HarleyT]

Most 290's come with. 325. btw, which oil is best?

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in the U.S., they came with a .325 8 tooth sprocket

 

[LoveStihlQuality]

in the U.S., they came with a .325 8 tooth sprocket

For friends who were looking new 290 (Farm Boss had mass appeal) I'd recommend stepping up to MS 310 for 40 bucks more. Comes in 3/8 usually rim sproket and pull 20 inch better

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[Johnnybar]

Here's the 290/310/390 factory options...basically you can go .325 7 or 8 tooth as far as Stihl is concerned. 7 will simply keep the limited torque working for you a little longer before bogging, especially with the closed down mufflers they required in the USA....surely that can't be argued. That's code for: I'm expecting an argument within 15 minutes. LOL

Make Chips!

 

[Johnnybar]

For friends who were looking new 290 (Farm Boss had mass appeal) I'd recommend stepping up to MS 310 for 40 bucks more. Comes in 3/8 usually rim sproket and pull 20 inch better

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Or, if you like to tinker, just find a cheap MS290 or run your new MS290 till you're tired of each other and add a 49mm (MS390) jug later for $20-$25.

 

[HarleyT]

Yeah, but they still came to the U.S. dealers with the 8 tooth, just to keep things true.

 

[Johnnybar]

Yeah, but they still came to the U.S. dealers with the 8 tooth, just to keep things true.

I understood the thread to be discussing what to put on the saw when he was starting out with 3/8-7 and considering .325 as well as 3/8 16" bars. Wasn't concerned with what they had new as a .325 USA saw but yes they had .325-8 spurs when new in the USA. Mine was long ago changed to a small-7 spline with a .325-7 sprocket and never looked back. But then again, I've used mine on 1" brush to 32" hardwood felling and just don't consider an 8 tooth up to the task. Sure you can make an 8 work but, been there done that with the original spur and the powerhead and clutch didn't enjoy a buried bar/8 tooth combination. If you're doing medium to light cutting only...go for the 8...it will work fine.

 

[HarleyT]

If he currently has a 20 inch 3/8 bar/chain, why even bother consider going to a .325 16 inch? Why not just get a 16 inch 3/8 bar/chain?

 

[HarleyT]

No way an 8 tooth on an 029

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Maybe this post was the trigger.....

 

[Johnnybar]

If he currently has a 20 inch 3/8 bar/chain, why even bother consider going to a .325 16 inch? Why not just get a 16 inch 3/8 bar/chain?

Can't go wrong with either really...they will both work. The .325 I've seen has a small kerf advantage but not much. Other than that, some say the extra cutter every 10" makes it a little smoother...never worried about it myself. I run the pitch that I get super bargains on. I'm currently running Carlton .325 on the MS290 that was $59 delivered for an 83' roll and 3/8 semi on the 660 that I picked up for $149/100' delivered.

 

[RipCity]

Hey all,

Thanks for all the thoughts here everyone! Like I said before, this is an awesome community.

I've decided to stick to 3/8" for my 16" bar purchase for ease of switching between bars. I opened up the saw and found that I have a 7 tooth spur sprocket drum (PN 1125/04). Can anyone recommend a decent 16" Oregon bar/chain combo that will work with this setup? I'd like to be able to just swap out bar and chain when going between the current 20" and a 16"

 

[Johnnybar]

Hey all,

Thanks for all the thoughts here everyone! Like I said before, this is an awesome community.

I've decided to stick to 3/8" for my 16" bar purchase for ease of switching between bars. I opened up the saw and found that I have a 7 tooth spur sprocket drum (PN 1125/04). Can anyone recommend a decent 16" Oregon bar/chain combo that will work with this setup? I'd like to be able to just swap out bar and chain when going between the current 20" and a 16"

PM sent

 

[RipCity]

Sorry to add confusion to your situation but, 3/8 rim drums comes in two sizes that will fit the 290/390 series. The OEM size is small-7 spline paired with a 10x13x10 clutch bearing and allows use of all the .325 and 3/8 sprockets. Some 290/390 saws get an MS360 standard-7 spline drum paired with a 10X16X13 bearing put on them just cause they can and the standard-7 spline limits your sprocket options in .325. You want to make sure you are getting the small-7 spline drum and bearing so .325-7 sprockets can be used.

Thanks for the additional insight. I have a 7 tooth spline drum with part number 1125/04. Any idea of this is the small or standard version? Could I choose to run .325 in addition to 3/8 with this setup?

 

[Johnnybar]

 

[Johnnybar]

Thanks for the additional insight. I have a 7 tooth spline drum with part number 1125/04. Any idea of this is the small or standard version? Could I choose to run .325 in addition to 3/8 with this setup?

Standard-7 splined clutch drums don't have the ability to run the smaller tooth sizes in .325 pitch. I know they can run 325-9 rims but I believe 8 and 7 has no clearance.

Just found this..it should help you with the options: http://www.oregonproducts.com/pdf/sprockets/RimSproxFB0601.pdf