Husqvarna 181se cylinder/piston

[Hirdatron]

Hi, I've taken the top end off my 181 to inspect some piston scoring I could see through the exhaust port and wondered if anyone could offer a second opinion if they're reusable?! I've cleaned them up with some emery and scotchbrite and there's definitely scoring on the piston. The cylinder feels smooth to the finger but using a fingernail does encounter very slight roughness on the section around the exhaust port. I can't tell if it's scoring or transfer! I'm leaning towards the former as rubbing down I don't think has changed it much. The saw ran fine before and I'd like to reuse if possible as it's all original, and it won't get much use at all as I've other saws. Any thoughts welcome!

 

[old 040]

I think you should be able save both the piston and cylinder. Personally I like the original full skirt pistons and would do whatever it takes to save it, the thin rings are getting very tough to find, what shape are they in?

 

[Hirdatron]

Don't really know what to look for in rings! They don't appear damaged but then they are 40 years old now! It's from 1983 and everything on the saw is original as far as I can tell, bar nuts, cover screws, even the air filter, the plastic on the handle is well intact and the carb adjustment screws look good so it's either been well looked after or not used that much. I'm in UK so big saws maybe don't get used much, I'd say 60cc is probably most people's go to saw.

 

[Squareground3691]

View attachment 1113589
Don't really know what to look for in rings! They don't appear damaged but then they are 40 years old now! It's from 1983 and everything on the saw is original as far as I can tell, bar nuts, cover screws, even the air filter, the plastic on the handle is well intact and the carb adjustment screws look good so it's either been well looked after or not used that much. I'm in UK so big saws maybe don't get used much, I'd say 60cc is probably most people's go to saw.

Check ring gap with feller gages , with ring inserted inside cylinder above ports , perhaps

 

[Hirdatron]

Few pics of other bits, overall it's in good condition so I'd like to keep original if possible.


Ran fine before and was a brute to turn over so compression seems ok. Has large squish band and small compression chamber so if cylinder score means compression is down slightly, it might not be noticeable in use? Might just clean and put back together for nothing and see how it goes, only took 10 minutes to pull cylinder so not really got anything to lose. Meteor cylinder kits are available and I think 288 top ends just bolt on too so there's a few options if/when time comes!

 

[old 040]

Few pics of other bits, overall it's in good condition so I'd like to keep original if possible.
View attachment 1113590View attachment 1113591View attachment 1113592

Ran fine before and was a brute to turn over so compression seems ok. Has large squish band and small compression chamber so if cylinder score means compression is down slightly, it might not be noticeable in use? Might just clean and put back together for nothing and see how it goes, only took 10 minutes to pull cylinder so not really got anything to lose. Meteor cylinder kits are available and I think 288 top ends just bolt on too so there's a few options if/when time comes!

I'd stick with the 181 top end, they have a smaller combustion chamber than the a 288, I owned a 288 and sold it in preference to my 181's, here's my shelf queen, I also have one other as a good user.

 

[Hirdatron]

"shelf queen" not heard that before! She certainly looks regal!!
Just checked the meteor cylinder kit and it says it's 54mm and fits 181, 281, and 288 so only one option. Does that mean it's just the length of the con rod that's different between the 181/281 and the 288 if the bore is the same?

 

[old 040]

"shelf queen" not heard that before! She certainly looks regal!!
Just checked the meteor cylinder kit and it says it's 54mm and fits 181, 281, and 288 so only one option. Does that mean it's just the length of the con rod that's different between the 181/281 and the 288 if the bore is the same?

Stroke is the same on the 181, 281, and 288 at 38mm, bore is the same between the 181, 281 at 52mm, the 288 is 54mm. I'm quite sure a meteor piston can be had in either 52mm or 54mm, same with cylinders. The 288 kit will work on any of them, but again, the OEM 181 cylinder has a smaller combustion chamber.

 

[old 040]

Here's the 288 that I owned and sold several years ago.

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

Clean that up easily and run it.

Dealer on FB I know still has the 181 thing ring sets for 40 plus ship.

Just so you know if needed. I can send you his shop info.

My old 181 runner I sold PHO shipped for 150 to collector. Sold it for what I had in it at time.

Use the 181 top IMO. I had thought same thing but collector that wanted this one said they run right with his 288 till after 32" buried.