What is worth keeping..... 2002 ms290, 2010 ms 290, 2015 ms311?

[StihlMaster88]

I got 3 powerheads that all need to be rebuilt. both 290's have scored pistons and heads and the 311 has a broken piston skirt. engine sizes are around the same but were the old ones built better ? or the newer 311 is better? I'm probably only gonna keep one and maybe fix the others to sell. thoughts?

 

[StihlMaster88]

also cheap but good or middle of the road rebuild kits or full motor kits crank to head????

 

[Ryan'smilling]

Fix as many as you can and sell them all. If you sell 2 of those on Craigslist, you should be able to come up with $4-500, which will get you into a saw much nicer than a farm boss.

 

[rupedoggy]

Yea

 

[TheTone]

All of these can be fitted with a 390 cylinder and piston for about a 0.4 hp gain over the 290 with the same weight. If you can't clean up a cylinder to reuse, this would be a good option.

 

[StihlMaster88]

we got rid of the 2 290's and keeping the 2015 ms311 so that is gonna be our rebuild project. do you have any links for shortblock and just setups for standard replacement or upgrading also ms311 top end heads

 

[jltrent]

we got rid of the 2 290's and keeping the 2015 ms311 so that is gonna be our rebuild project. do you have any links for shortblock and just setups for standard replacement or upgrading also ms311 top end heads

I would have kept the 290 s. THose EPA 311 are a POS. Notorious for needing high dollar coils, POS carbs, parts unreal high (gas line $26 OTD). I bought one to flip that looked to be in good shape, cylinder and piston nice, but the rest of the saw was an endless money pit. THose old 290 s can be refurbished on the cheap and are pretty decent except a little heavy.