Aftermarket cylinders and pistons

[jensen 32000]

Any issues concerning quality of aftermarket piston and cylinders vs original Stihl or Husky pieces? Any actual experiences in particular? If going used, can you reuse the circlips?Thanks Mike!

 

[Jacob J.]

Mike- The aftermarket cylinder kits I've run across for Stihl and Husky ( Specifically the Tecomec brand, an italian parts manufacturer ) were as good of quality as any Mahle or Gilardoni brand cylinder and piston. In fact, the mass-produced Mahle kits here lately have been lower quality than say, 20 years ago when factories still believed in "craftsmanship". The Gilardoni castings were flawless. The worst kits I've ever seen were the 046 Magum cylinders produced by Mahle. Right next to that were the 025 pistons made by Stihl themselves.

 

[jensen 32000]

Anyone know what line of cylinder/piston Baileys carry for the 044? Thanks

 

[lucky]

Jacob, you sound pretty savvy. Is there a place I can get an aftermarket jug for that 046? I know baileys has the 044 but is there a source for the 046? Thanks, John

 

[rmihalek]

I read everywhere that you're not supposed to re-use circlips. I've done it in a pinch on my dirtbike, but never on a saw. I usually try to get the part number for the piston kit so you get piston, rings, wrist pin and circlips.

 

[Jacob J.]

The rule of thumb is ALWAYS use a new wrist pin bearing, wrist pin and cir-clips, unless the unit is very low hours and you're replacing the cylinder or piston due to a straight gas failure or the unit was crushed by rolling logs or heavy equipment ( or dropped from a truck or a yarding carriage ).

John- Tecomec never tooled up to make kits for the 046/460. Tecomec stopped making kits for Stihl machines in 1993. EMak, which is a division of Tecomec, has tooled up to make cylinder kits for the TS-400 and 460 cut off saws, as well as the 066/660 magnum chainsaw. I think a 460 chainsaw kit is in the works.

The kits for sale on E-bay ( 024, 026, 034, 036 and others ) are original Stihl OEM kits, and are of comparable OEM quality. I don't know where these sellers are getting these kits in such volume, but I've bought three so far and they were all excellent.

 

[jensen 32000]

Does GB make kits? The sales guy at baileys thought their kit was made by GB. Thanks Mike

 

[Jacob J.]

GB has never made parts for engines that I know of, and they've never advertised any in any of their dealer catalogs ( I have the 2004 dealer book ). Sandvik-Windsor made clutch drums and sprockets, as does Oregon/Blount, but Tecomec-Emak-Olympyk and Gilardoni were the only companies I know of that made aftermarket engine parts of any kind. Tecomec and Emak are distributed in the U.S. by Tilton equipment - http://www.tiltonequipment.com

Gilardoni is distributed by their parent company in Italy and by a company in the U.K.

 

[Dadatwins]

While you guys are talking about aftermarket pistons does any one know if any company sells piston and jug for 020T? Used to see them on ebay now all dried up. Have two of these from a local that gm poured straight gas sitting in garage. Thanks

 

[Jacob J.]

OPEcenter.com had some but they're down now. You might try ZACM.com or Tiltonequipment.com.

 

[jensen 32000]

Phoned Baileys today and they can't seem to figure out the make of their cylinder kits. The said they are made overseas, could only find New West in the box. The lady said they have had no returns on the 044 kits.

 

[jokers]

Originally posted by Jacob J.
Tecomec stopped making kits for Stihl machines in 1993.

You sure about that JJ? I bought one for an 026 last summer from Jeff and the box and contents looked as if they were just made. BTW, the quality was comparable with Stihl`s for less than half the OEM price.

Russ

 

[gatkeper1]

Another place with good prices on cylinder kits is
Mikes Small Engine. I have purchaced kits for Huskys from them, all were Tecomec kits
Cylinder Kits from Mikes

 

[dozerdan]

Russ
I think that JJ was referring to the Stihl kits that are appearing On Ebay now. I have used a few, they are factory Stihl parts and the barrel is marked Mahle.
Later
Dan


Just remember...if the world didn't suck, we'd all fall off.

 

[jensen 32000]

New Chinesse vs Used Stihl

Got off the phone with a guy at Baileys in California and he said their 044 piston/cylinder kits were made in China. What do you think: Used Stihl vs New made in China

 

[Jacob J.]

Hey Russ- you're right, I looked at Tecomec's current catalog and they are still making kits for 024/026, 034/036, 044, 064, and the TS-350/360 cut off saws.

 

[WoodTick007]

Used Stihl New CHina

WHat did Baileys tell you about the success they have had with selling this item? Most good companies will not continue to sell products that do not provide good service life to customers.

 

[jensen 32000]

The woman I spoke with in the Tennesee shop, said she worked in the returns department, and had not seen any come back. The fellow in California said some were shipped back before installation because some pitting was found and the customer returned it prior to installing. I guess it is hard to know the true extent of the quality till a couple years go by.

 

[cbfarmall]

I recall Jacob J. posting awhile back that the Bailey's 044 kits were Stihl OEM that they purchased before the 046 came out. I guess that's good quality. Don't have an 044, so I'll likely never find out.

Chris B.

 

[Jacob J.]

That is correct, I was told by a Bailey's service tech. that the 044 kits are Stihl OEM, made by Mahle.