MS 270 trashed bearing... options?

[JonCraig]

Saw a 270 on CL and went to look at it thinking I’d quick flip it. Turns out it was locked up, so I talked him down to $10.

Finally got to mess with it today, and the clutch side bearing appears to be toast. Surprisingly, piston looks fine through the exhaust port.

I have zero interest in keeping this saw. What are my options as far as repairs go?

Replace bearings & seals & flip?

Buy a Chinese shortblock and flip?

Part it out? I’d rather do this sort of thing here; I don’t want to deal with eBay and shipping and all that...

Sell as a whole parts saw?

What would y’all do?

 

[HarleyT]

Part it out.

They make an aftermarket kit?

 

[BuckthornBonnie]

“Flip” meaning fixing everything right and passing on a good deal to someone in need of a saw... right?

?

 

[HarleyT]

“Flip” meaning fixing everything right and passing on a good deal to someone in need of a saw... right?

?

Or a girlfriend.....

 

[HarleyT]

The real big ones are a tad more difficult to "flip",

In several ways......

 

[JonCraig]

“Flip” meaning fixing everything right and passing on a good deal to someone in need of a saw... right?

?

Yes. I’ve “flipped” probably 50 saws in the last 3 or 4 years. Enough that I’ve had repeat customers. If I use AM parts, I disclose that in my Craigslist listing and price accordingly. No “bubblegum and duct tape” fixes here—typically the usual fuel related issues.

This one, I gambled and lost. Oh well. ;-)

 

[HarleyT]

If you think that you have lost, well, I'll buy it for $20

 

[BuckthornBonnie]

Yes. I’ve “flipped” probably 50 saws in the last 3 or 4 years. Enough that I’ve had repeat customers. If I use AM parts, I disclose that in my Craigslist listing and price accordingly. No “bubblegum and duct tape” fixes here—typically the usual fuel related issues.

This one, I gambled and lost. Oh well. ;-)

Gotcha. Flipping around here has a connotation that I disagree with— cleaning a saw a person got on the cheap, skipping repairs needed for longevity, and sending it “down the road” to an unsuspecting buyer.

 

[JonCraig]

Gotcha. Flipping around here has a connotation that I disagree with— cleaning a saw a person got on the cheap, skipping repairs needed for longevity, and sending it “down the road” to an unsuspecting buyer.

Ah—gotcha.

So I decided to pull it apart all the way ‘cause I’ve never messed with a Stihl clamshell before (and I own a 391, so I figure I better get some practice). The bearing is Stihl part # 9503 003 4300. The manufacturer is FAG, part # 803709 B and elsewhere says W220B.

A set of 2 AM bearings and seals is $50 on evilbay, which seems steep to me. Anyone able to look up what OEM price on those would be?

Thinking of rebuilding for fun and using this as my new loaner saw. CAD is real.

Surprisingly, the cylinder has only minor scuffing, totally sandable, and the piston only has some pitting on the crown. My guess is that the bearing and seal failure happened quickly & the saw didn’t have much run time before it sucked air and died.

Carnage shots below. Anyone know why the balls are different sizes?

 

[CsClimbr]

Anyone know why the balls are different sizes?

God must have a sense of humor? My right is larger

 

[a. palmer jr.]

That appears to be an OEM bearing but I wouldn't be afraid to use an aftermarket bearing and seals on the saw, replace both while you're at it. I have a 280 and they're no slouch when it comes to cutting wood..

 

[drf255]

It’s a common problem with that nightmare of a model. IIRC, the PTO bearing is an odd size that’s not proprietary and is like $60-70. Has the same ID but a larger OD than the standard 025 style clammy bearing.

I made a sleeve from the old bearing outer race on my lathe and pressed a new SKF bearing into it. I got a usable good bearing on the cheap that way that’s held up for years.

I’ll never touch another 270/280 if I can help it. Half mag/half plastic chassis with a clamshell motor bolted to it. They do actually run well though.