Decided to re-build the 026 and need advice...
So....I am going to go ahead and re-use that cylinder, and buy a piston. I can't decide if I will buy a Forester off of ebay or an NWP from Bailey's....they both seem similarly priced. I have read alot of good things about the Meteor pistons, and there are two people from overseas (Athens and Latvia???) who sell them with good ratings, but the Meteors are still a fair amount more, and I guess I rather buy locally. I also am taking into consideration that my cylinder is not perfect, and it is possible that I will go ahead and install this and find I have to still replace the cylinder.
So now I need some advice:
1. I pulled the piston off tonight and scraped off the old gasket. The wrist pin looked perfectly smooth so I am assuming that the cage bearing is OK. Is that a reasonable assumption, or do I need to replace that as well? They don't seem to typically be supplied with the piston kits.
2. The rod has a little bit of play back and forth but with these types of bearings am I correct in thinking its not a worry? Is there any reason to take this thing all the way down to the case, and split it? I will probably buy a gasket set though I might just buy the cylinder gasket from the local Stihl dealer. If I buy the set, it comes with the crankcase gasket as well as the crankshaft seals.
3. Should I replace the crankshaft seals? I have no idea what condition they are in. Is it a big deal to put them in? Any special tools, or can I make due with standard stuff? Is it a good idea to do them now, or does it not really matter since one can do them after the fact if I find I have an air leak?
4. Tank / Rear handle. This one has a crack across the back of the handle that someone used a small metal plate to through bolt it together. It works fine, and is not in the way of anything, but I can't stop thinking it would be better to just replace it. I see both used handle tanks and aftermarket handle/tanks (with a different looking tank vent) on ebay. Anyone have any thoughts one way or the other? Are the aftermarket ones decent? The price is almost the same as the used Stihl.
5. Will need to pick up a new air filter cover and should probably get a new engine shroud, though I at least have the one that came with it, with melt marks. Am I correct in thinking the same plastic works for both the 024's and the 026's?
Appreciate the whatever advice can be offered.
Robert