Stihl 029 to 039

[Kenskip1]

So, I have a tired 029 and I am planning to make it the 039. Can someone recommend a kit for this? I have been looking at HL Supply however, I have not done any business with there products. I see that they offer a complete rebuilt engine, or just the upper half, cylinder, piston, rings, wrist pins, seals, and bearings. Also what sealant should I use? Thanks, Ken

 

[Jasonrkba]

Can you link the kit your looking at? Clam shell. Pretty easy. Hyway, Meteor or cross performance. Use a quality set of C3 bearings, Nachi, SKF, Timkin, KOYO.

 

[Kenskip1]

https://www.hlsproparts.com/Stihl-039-MS390-cylinder-assembly-49mm-overhaul-p/h30390-n-dns.htm

 

[Jasonrkba]

I'm not sure what kind of crank bearings they use but most on here would say buy one of the ones I mentioned. The rest of the kit is solid.

 

[huskihl]

I hunt around for retired or lightly burned up 039’s. Clean up the cylinder nice and then I use the Cross popup piston.

 

[a. palmer jr.]

Usually when I build an 039 I don't change the main bearings if the OE ones are in good shape. I always change the seals though.

 

[hawkins111]

NWP short block assy. is an easy switch. Comes to you already sealed and vac tested. Just torque down and re-assemble. I've done 5 of them. Pretty simple.

 

[Kenskip1]

NWP short block assy. is an easy switch. Comes to you already sealed and vac tested. Just torque down and re-assemble. I've done 5 of them. Pretty simple.

Hawkins, But this is more than I want to spend on a saw built almost 30 years ago.

 

[a. palmer jr.]

Hawkins, But this is more than I want to spend on a saw built almost 30 years ago.

You can get by with a p/c kit on ebay for around 30 bucks if you don't mind some assembly work. There are several vendors that have a decent product. Vostore is one vendor, 24.95 is what I paid for my last one from them. Putting the engine together is the easiest part of the undertaking..

 

[a. palmer jr.]

That saw built 30 years ago, in good condition, is in my opinion about as good or better than one you could buy today.

 

[Mad Professor]

I've never thought rebuilding a clamshell was worth my time and effort. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[a. palmer jr.]

I don't differentiate between clamshell and non-clamshell. There are some brands of saws that I prefer to work on over others though. One thing I might say about the pro saws around here: When they bring them to me they're usually well beat up and filthy. The clams not always..

 

[Captain Bruce]

https://www.hlsproparts.com/Stihl-039-MS390-cylinder-assembly-49mm-overhaul-p/h30390-n-dns.htm

There you go. Get the de-comp. valve grommet. The outline for the hole should be clearly outlined on the hood......

 

[Jasonrkba]

HL runs some great deals from time to time especially on a holiday. Labor day is coming up. I'd wait till then. You might get that kit for almost half that price.

 

[cookies]

get the hyway titan nickle with popup piston kit or a cross performance kit, they make much much better power than the cheap kits..for sure replace the fuel hose and impulse hose with it apart. Use yamabond, hondabond, permatex optimum black or durko to seal it.
those saws still command 300 bucks for a 029 and 450 bucks for a 039 in good shape...comparable new models are what double that ?

 

[a. palmer jr.]

get the hyway titan nickle with popup piston kit or a cross performance kit, they make much much better power than the cheap kits..for sure replace the fuel hose and impulse hose with it apart. Use yamabond, hondabond, permatex optimum black or durko to seal it.
those saws still command 300 bucks for a 029 and 450 bucks for a 039 in good shape...comparable new models are what double that ?

Motoseal does a good job also. Around here you can get it at NAPA and is generally cheaper than some of the others. It's made by Permatex also.

 

[HarleyT]

So do the kits come with a decompression port? Do they come with a valve?

 

[a. palmer jr.]

So do the kits come with a decompression port? Do they come with a valve?

Mine didn't but now I wish it had. Probably would have had to drill a hole in the top cover or buy another one though..

 

[thompsoncustom]

some things that I think are a must when you do the swap.

new seals like mentioned above

open up the muffler, it's super restrictive and I would image there would be no gain in adding the 390 cylinder without opening it up.

bigger high speed jet. the 290 comes with a .54 and the 390 is .58. I drilled mine out to .64 which is inline with what the brazil only model 390 is.

the bigger jet doesn't hurt its ability to idle or start well either. once warmed up I can start mine with a 1/4 pull of the rope.

 

[a. palmer jr.]

You can also put a carburetor on it from a larger Stihl saw, like an 064..