MS310/031AV

[mrcaptainbob]

Okay, I picked up the MS310 a few days ago and cut up some ash. About a pickup turck load. I felt the 310 was a bit too easy to stall the chain. Much easier than the 031. The new features are nice, but I was hoping for a bit more strength. I'll wait for the 5 to 15 tankfulls as the book suggests. The downside to that is it's a used saw by the time I find out it's less than what I need. I'm thinking I should've gone up a size.

[fishhuntcutwood]

Like I said in an earlier thread of your's, I had a 310.  Let it get broken in, and open up the muffler a bit.  I never got the chance to open mine up, as I sold it before I had 10 tanks through it, but I've read that the 290 responds superbly to muffler mods, and the 310 is the same saw with a bigger bore, so it stands to reason that the 310 and 390 would respond well also.  If you want to step up, go with the 361.  If you want to keep it affordable, look for a 390 piston/cylinder kit on ebay.  It'll mount to your 310's lower end, and give you an extra  .4 hp.

Don't give up on it yet!

Jeff

[mrcaptainbob]

Thanks for the help again, Jeff. I feel a lot more comfortable now. You mentioned opening up the muffler a bit. Where would I get info on the 'how-to/how-much'? Would there be a concern for back pressure? My son mentioned that it could lean out the mix if not done right. I expect that I should not do anything on it 'till it's broken in. That 390 piston/cylinder kit sounds like a good idea. I'll look into that. Thanks again.

[fishhuntcutwood]

Mufflers are really just tin cans.  But different mufflers can be modded in different ways.  Like I said, I never modded my 310, but there's guys on here that can tell you exactly how to do it.  Or you can send it to a saw shop, and have them do it.  If you want to send me a private message, I can tell you who I'd recommend, and where to get started.  As far a leaning it out.  Yes it will, even if you just open it up a little bit, and do it right.  But that's what carb adjustments are for.   You will need to richen it up afterward.

Jeff

 

[StihlDoc]

Just want to let those who are considering muffler modifications to know that the muffler does play a part in the EPA regulations and muffler modifications are out of compliance with the regulation. Also, the ANSI standard limits noise levels of chainsaws and employers/employees that are subject to OSHA reg's can and do get fined for running saws that are louder than the ANSI specification. I realize that many individuals won't care about the ramifications but thought I would post it for info purposes.

[fishhuntcutwood]

Good point SD.  I'm not a professional, so these things usually don't come to mind.  Something else folks try is to just pull out the spark arrestor.  This is not the way to go.  Alot of places require your saw to have a spark arrestor, and will indeed stop you and check your saw for one.  If you don't, expect to loose your saw, and pay a fine on top of that.  They're serious about it out here.

Jeff

[sawguy21]

The MS310 and 031 are two entirely different saws from different eras. The 70's 031 was a slower revving 51 cc saw, or 3.1 cu inch hence the model number, with 3/8 chain and lots of torque.  The MS310 59 cc high revver,does not have the broad powerband of the older saws. Got to give it credit though, it is lighter.
I am not a big fan of the 290/310/390. Other than the 55 Rancher, I don't see much in the 50 to 65 cc range in the semi professional saws I would choose. Before I set the orange and white guys off, that is just one man's humble opinion