Stihl 036 scored piston?

[LD1]

A few questions:

Have you tried contacting them?? IF you look at the photo on their website, it looks like it is machined flat for the bolt.

Also, is the cylinder you got chrome plated or NiSi (nikasil)?

Cause if it is chrome, I wouldn't touch it yet. I'd send it back. You can get the NWP aftermarket kit that IS NiSi coated of only $30 more. Well worth it IMO. And NWP is one of the better "low cost" aftermarket companies.

Either way, I am still curious to see what northwood has to say

 

[Baby Grand]

A few questions:

Have you tried contacting them?? IF you look at the photo on their website, it looks like it is machined flat for the bolt.

Also, is the cylinder you got chrome plated or NiSi (nikasil)?

Cause if it is chrome, I wouldn't touch it yet. I'd send it back. You can get the NWP aftermarket kit that IS NiSi coated of only $30 more. Well worth it IMO. And NWP is one of the better "low cost" aftermarket companies.

Either way, I am still curious to see what northwood has to say

No, I haven't tried contacting them - I'll give it a try - good suggestion.
If I don't get satisfaction from Northwood, and I do trash the part, then I'll get the NWP one and eat the expense as a lesson to myself that often you get what you pay for. I had second thoughts about getting the cheapie when I ordered it.

I'm getting impatient to get this project moving again, so not sure I really want to go through the whole mail it back & wait thing. Other than the the unmachined flanges, it does look like a good quality part, and I don't see the milling op as being a major risk. And yes, it's NiSi coated.

It's a big adventure!

 

[MasseyWV]

Looking good so far. :thumbsup:

 

[LD1]

No, I haven't tried contacting them - I'll give it a try - good suggestion.
If I don't get satisfaction from Northwood, and I do trash the part, then I'll get the NWP one and eat the expense as a lesson to myself that often you get what you pay for. I had second thoughts about getting the cheapie when I ordered it.

I'm getting impatient to get this project moving again, so not sure I really want to go through the whole mail it back & wait thing. Other than the the unmachined flanges, it does look like a good quality part, and I don't see the milling op as being a major risk. And yes, it's NiSi coated.

It's a big adventure!

If its NiSi coated, then thats a plus. Seems the only issue now is the mounting flanges. I would def. call them. Northwood seems like a big online place. If anything, you will see what kind of business they are

 

[Baby Grand]

If its NiSi coated, then thats a plus. Seems the only issue now is the mounting flanges. I would def. call them. Northwood seems like a big online place. If anything, you will see what kind of business they are

Message sent with photo. Hope they are willing to deal.

 

[LD1]

keep us posted. this has got me very interested.

 

[Baby Grand]

Response is that unfortunately sometimes these after market kits require some tweaking before installing.
They offered me $25 store credit for my trouble diddling with it or they would swap with another part.
Not sure the replacement would be any better, so I'm taking the credit and will proceed with the plan to mill the sucker flat.

 

[LD1]

Yea, I dont think I would want a replacement unless they could confirm it was okay.

But hey, $25 credit is well worth the phone call:thumbsup:

 

[Baby Grand]

Yea, I dont think I would want a replacement unless they could confirm it was okay.

But hey, $25 credit is well worth the phone call:thumbsup:

It certainly is, and thanks for the suggestion to try!
I was so frustrated and embarassed by getting sucked into the whole cheaper-is-better thing that I honestly hadn't even thought of contacting them.
I'll post again as soon as I have made some chips.

 

[Baby Grand]

Ack! I messed up the smaller of the 2 replacement oil seals.
Was having great luck seating it with a 3/8" drive socket & a ball peen hammer.
Everything was going well until I noticed that the seal was .060 - .080 below the flange face.
Hand spinning the crank didn't feel right, so I ordered a new seal and will be careful to choose a tool that is larger than the bore the seal fits into next time. Lesson learned.