MS290 vs 029

[andrethegiant70]

Hi, Folks! I have a dialogue going with another saw owner.... can you guys tell me the differences between the MS290 and an 029? I thought the 029 was free of limiter caps and the tool-less gas and oil caps but, hey, I'm no Stihl guy (yet).

 

[2000ssm6]

I think you are right.

My 029 seems to have a little more power than a 290 I just used. Compression readings were close but I think mine has been taken care of better...

 

[Lakeside53]

The 290 is an 029S (46mm bore) with flip caps. The bore is 1mm bigger than the 029 (45mm).

 

[andrethegiant70]

Hi, Lake! I was hoping you'd weight in on this one.. so if it has flip caps its an MS290? Unfortunatey, my situation does not allow me close inspection of the saw in question (e.g., measuring the bore), but I know it had flip caps and limiters.

 

[Lakeside53]

It's a 290, unless someone has put an earlier engine in it.

 

[Ray Bennett]

I have both the 290 and an 029, Both HAD limiter caps from the factory, Both manuals list the exact same displacement. The only difference I have ever found in the 2 saws is that the 290 has flip caps and the 029 does not. I think some of the older 029's may have a few more differences. Hope that helps

 

[Lakeside53]

You must have had a late 029 then.. Most of those were labled "029 super".

 

[andrethegiant70]

So I guess it boils down to whether the 029 or 029S was released with flip caps. Is anyone aware of how I might verfy this one way or the other? If it was a Husky I'd go to the website.. does Stihl have anything similar? Thanks for your input on this, BTW.

I advertised the saw as an MS290 as that was the way it was presented to me... given the configuration of the saw I had no reason to doubt it. Its a very nice saw but if it is older than I thought I'll need to compensate the new owner or offer to take the saw back.

 

[Lakeside53]

The 29 or 29S were not released with flip caps. If it has flip caps, and was not messed with, it's definitely a 290...

 

[andrethegiant70]

Thanks, Lake, I REALLY appreciate it.