029 Rebuilt!

[adventurebob]

Father in law gave me an old 029 with a bow on it that didn't run. Pulled it all apart cleaned it up and figured out why it wouldn't run. Did a carb rebuild, all new hoses (0all three were cracked and leaking), replaced all the muffler bolts and a threw in a new gasket. Filled with fresh gas, pulled three times and she fired right up. Runs pretty good. Need to adjust the carb since he lives at sea level and I'm at 7600 ft. Now I'm going to put a regular bar and chain on it and see what she'll do. Felt pretty good as this was my first refurb of a saw.

 

[ssm1699]

Is it just a straight 029 or is it an 029 Super? Either way, it should be a nice saw. I have an 029 Super and it was a great running saw before I did my full rebuild. I still have yet to put it into wood since the rebuild.

 

[adventurebob]

Need to figure out how to tell from SN whether its a super or not.

 

[rd35]

If you have a dial or digital type caliper you can pull the muffler and measure the bore diameter. 45mm equals 029. 46mm equals 029 super and also MS290.

 

[fearofpavement]

The cylinder will say 029 46mm if it's a Super. It will be hard to see the writing if the saw is assembled though. Also, it's marked on the plastics if they're original. If you didn't already, this model really benefits from a simple muffler mod.

 

[a. palmer jr.]

The 029 also benefits from an 039 kit. I do that to all the 029s I get in, assuming the piston and cylinder are shot. With an 039 kit, a muffler mod, and a carb adjust it feels like a different saw!

 

[fearofpavement]

The 029 also benefits from an 039 kit. I do that to all the 029s I get in, assuming the piston and cylinder are shot. With an 039 kit, a muffler mod, and a carb adjust it feels like a different saw!

I never do anything but an 039 kit if I have to open the engine of one of these saws. I wouldn't upgrade a good runner but if you have to buy parts anyway, might as well move the saw up the ladder powerwise. A good running 039/MS390 will be all the firewood saw the average person would ever need. Of course, I'll deny that if someone asks me because I have to have a reason for the other 50 saws I have...

 

[a. palmer jr.]

Like I really needed them but I bought 2 more saws today, another Echo top handle and a Jonsereds model unknown. I've looked the saw over and can't find a model number. It has the starter cover label intact but it doesn't mention the model...Oh, well, for $2 what can you expect.

 

[wombler]

A good running 039/MS390 will be all the firewood saw the average person would ever need. Of course, I'll deny that if someone asks me because I have to have a reason for the other 50 saws I have

I would have thought it was because you were far from average, and the 039 is still a good all-round saw. Got one myself, very nice.

 

[adventurebob]

Ok now need a bar/chain/sprocket for this beast. Want a light 20" bar. Suggestions welcome. It has a very thrashed 7 pin on it right now.

 

[old-cat]

STIHL Rollormatic E 20"
The ES bar is heavier

 

[Wood Doctor]

The 029 also benefits from an 039 kit. I do that to all the 029s I get in, assuming the piston and cylinder are shot. With an 039 kit, a muffler mod, and a carb adjust it feels like a different saw!

Here's an MS310 that I rebuilt with a 390 top end. It runs very well today:


It was shot before I started working on it. Hope you like the white oak pull-cord handle, but that's another story.

 

[a. palmer jr.]

That oak handle has basically the same shape as the stock handle, good job! That looks to be easier on the hand than the original also..

 

[Jeff Lary]

What is the difference in hp between the 029 and 039? I rebuilt a 29 for my cousin about 3 years ago and was not aware at that time that I could have gone with a 39 kit. He and his brother cut and saw up for sale 40 cords of hardwood every winter. I told him next time maybe if he wanted to we could do a 039 kit in it. But I was curious what the difference in power would really be.

 

[a. palmer jr.]

About the same rpm on both saws, about 3/4 horsepower difference or so depending on the rest of the saw, muffler mod, tuning, etc. It seems worth it to me given how little it costs to install. 390 kits are as cheap or cheaper than 290 kits were a couple of years ago. Just buy from someone who's sold several and had few complaints.

 

[Jeff Lary]

Thanks

 

[a. palmer jr.]

It might be a good idea to buy the heat shield that goes behind the muffler if your saw doesn't already have one. Some used saws have them, some don't, I had to order one for the last one I did.

 

[Wood Doctor]

About the same rpm on both saws, about 3/4 horsepower difference or so depending on the rest of the saw, muffler mod, tuning, etc. It seems worth it to me given how little it costs to install. 390 kits are as cheap or cheaper than 290 kits were a couple of years ago. Just buy from someone who's sold several and had few complaints.

Stihl rates the MS291 at 3.8 Hp and the MS391 at 4.4 Hp. Once again, the upgrade kit might make a difference, especially in final compression.

 

[a. palmer jr.]

I have a 290 and a 390 but haven't run them enough to know how they stack up against each other.

 

[Jeff Lary]

I am in the middle of string trimmer fits right now, I posted over in the hand held equipment forum looking for a cheap source for a ignition coil echo