Chainsaw Repair

Husqvarna - Stihl - Poulan - Jonsered - Dolmar chainsaws and more => Husqvarna => Topic started by: man of stihl on February 15, 2015, 07:46:02 am

Title: Husqvarna 281/181 thin rings
Post by: man of stihl on February 15, 2015, 07:46:02 am
Can you buy the rings new? I have a 281 thin ring I'm building. Just curious.
Title: Re: Husqvarna 281/181 thin rings
Post by: Cut4fun . on February 15, 2015, 10:48:31 am
NOS  I had bought some back when I was into it and traded them off for other things.   Not a dealer item for years now unless NOS.
Title: Re: Husqvarna 281/181 thin rings
Post by: Cut4fun . on February 15, 2015, 10:51:01 am
Man remembering back. I think there is a homelite thin ring you can trim to work. Been a long time. cant remember homie model.
Title: Re: Husqvarna 281/181 thin rings
Post by: wild262 on February 15, 2015, 02:45:01 pm
Might be able to help you out. Most likely your 281's thin rings are the same as the 181's, so that being the case, try contacting Otto engine works at 410/398-7340.  Back a few years ago, one of my buddys needed rings for his 181.  They make custom chainsaw rings at very reasonable prices, hopefully they still do.   If they do it would be cheaper than buying a new aftermarket piston/ring.  That OEM cyl. would be more desirable to use than any aftermarket.   I have a 1983 181(never been rebuilt), of my dads that is totally stock with the thin rings, and its a prue torquey beast & still has 185 lbs. compression!  Has cut a lot of wood.  Good luck, and let us know of your results.   Happy cutting. ;)
Title: Re: Husqvarna 281/181 thin rings
Post by: man of stihl on February 15, 2015, 04:22:21 pm
Thanks for that. I just put the top end on this morning. The comp tester said 150lbs. Wasn't sure what that saw is supposed to be at compression wise.
Title: Re: Husqvarna 281/181 thin rings
Post by: Snoopy on February 15, 2015, 05:01:50 pm
Rings for a 850 mac will work. have to trim a little. Got mine off e bay ;) I got a brand new 181 oem piston and rings still in the box also ;D
Title: Re: Husqvarna 281/181 thin rings
Post by: wild262 on February 15, 2015, 06:15:08 pm
Your compression of 150lbs. isn't bad for a fresh re-ring job.  It will build to more when its broke-in.  Its fairly common for these series of saws to run a fairly high compression anyway in my experience especially the 2 rings.  Glad you found some parts.  Enjoy the beast.   ;D
Title: Re: Husqvarna 281/181 thin rings
Post by: man of stihl on February 15, 2015, 06:30:57 pm
Wild262. The rings I have are not new but they are new to the cylinder. My 288 has a bit more comp than my 281. But I heard in the past that the thin rings build more compression when running...
Steve, explain the trimming please.


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Title: Re: Husqvarna 281/181 thin rings
Post by: Snoopy on February 15, 2015, 07:05:49 pm
It has to do with the way the end of the rings made. I will try to get out to the shop and take pictures of the rings to show you what I am talking about. I used a flat file to trim the ends of the 850 rings. They are made different than the 181 rings. I was out of work all week with kidney stones >:(. I think I will feel like making it out Monday :)
Title: Re: Husqvarna 281/181 thin rings
Post by: Cut4fun . on February 15, 2015, 07:08:45 pm
mac 850 2.06 in bore = 52.324mm   

Sure wish I could remember the homie  925 maybe?
Title: Re: Husqvarna 281/181 thin rings
Post by: Cut4fun . on February 15, 2015, 07:09:25 pm
850 rings $35 set shipped.
Title: Re: Husqvarna 281/181 thin rings
Post by: Cut4fun . on February 15, 2015, 07:12:15 pm
Thinking it was Homelite 925 thin rings.  bore 2.0625 = 52.3875mm still need to file them too.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/191375531958?lpid=82&chn=ps
Title: Re: Husqvarna 281/181 thin rings
Post by: farmboy on February 15, 2015, 10:24:30 pm
Let me check my ring drawer I may have a set I know I have thin 254 45mm & 266 50mm and I think 181 can't remember for sure on it.
Shep
Title: Re: Husqvarna 281/181 thin rings
Post by: Eccentric on February 15, 2015, 11:33:10 pm
Thinking it was Homelite 925 thin rings.  bore 2.0625 = 52.3875mm still need to file them too.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/191375531958?lpid=82&chn=ps

There were thin ring and thick ring 925 pistons (some with one ring, others with two).  IIRC, there was also a Dykes ring version (as there was with some E-Z and 2000/2100 pistons).  The ring you linked to would be the closest to a 181SE ring (picking from the various 925 rings).
Title: Re: Husqvarna 281/181 thin rings
Post by: farmboy on February 16, 2015, 09:07:54 pm
Let me check my ring drawer I may have a set I know I have thin 254 45mm & 266 50mm and I think 181 can't remember for sure on it.
Shep
Wife is having abad problems today with DRPLA brain disease did have time to check ring drawer.  I do have a set of 181 thin rings.  PM me w/offer if needed.
Shep
Title: Re: Husqvarna 281/181 thin rings
Post by: 660magnum on February 16, 2015, 09:35:51 pm
Shep, my thoughts are with you and your family.

Went trough this same situation 20 years ago. It takes a lot of strength . . .
Title: Re: Husqvarna 281/181 thin rings
Post by: Eccentric on February 17, 2015, 01:47:16 am
Sorry to hear that Shep.  You're in my thoughts and prayers.
Title: Re: Husqvarna 281/181 thin rings
Post by: man of stihl on February 17, 2015, 04:19:28 am
Sorry to hear that Shep.
Title: Re: Husqvarna 281/181 thin rings
Post by: man of stihl on March 07, 2015, 11:39:51 am
Finished. (http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g457/rjcfritz/IMG_1837_zpsyjalcmjt.jpg) (http://s1102.photobucket.com/user/rjcfritz/media/IMG_1837_zpsyjalcmjt.jpg.html) (http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g457/rjcfritz/IMG_1836_zpszmezd47a.jpg) (http://s1102.photobucket.com/user/rjcfritz/media/IMG_1836_zpszmezd47a.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Husqvarna 281/181 thin rings
Post by: Eccentric on March 07, 2015, 03:22:10 pm
Great job!   That's a sweet saw.  That there clinches it.  I need to put together a low top 181/281/288.  I finished my high-top 288XP last year and use it often.