Stihl BR550. This a first

[Hammermechanicman]

I don;t like using piston stops as to me they can put too much pressure on one small area. I keep a clean length of paracord to use as a piston stop.
MY PISTON STOP IS BETTER THAN YOUR PISTON STOP

I have some of the plastic stops and have used the starter rope trick. I read on another forum that people have damaged the thin valves on the 4mix engines using the rope trick so I bought the piston stop.
MY PISTON STOP IS BETTER THAN YOUR PISTON STOP.

 

[StarTech]

I tried some aftermarket plastic piston stops and they failed to work. Just trashed them and brought the metal ones. And I holed a couple pistons myself on chainsaws here using piston stops. Just one of the hazards using them.

 

[Scrubcadet10]

I have some of the plastic stops and have used the starter rope trick. I read on another forum that people have damaged the thin valves on the 4mix engines using the rope trick so I bought the piston stop.
MY PISTON STOP IS BETTER THAN YOUR PISTON STOP.

 

[bertsmobile1]

I use plastic ones so they will bend rather than hole the piston .

 

[Fish]

Taking off one of these fanwheels is something you need to do, to see what it takes.

 

[Hammermechanicman]

Taking off one of these fanwheels is something you need to do, to see what it takes.

Yes sir! I had to set the engine block between the jaws on my big vise and use a 2' bar and a lot of muscle to get it loose. And ruin a piston.

 

[davelakeside1]

On other equipment needing a piston stop, I've used water, simply putting it in the cylinder and putting the plug back in. When done, just pull the engine over a few times to blow out the water. Used this many times before I heard about using rope. From that time on, I just called it the "Rope A Dope Piston Stop" Never had a problem with either method, but using the rope was easier and quicker.

 

[RevB]

Fan was so tight on the crankshaft that the piston stop put a hole in the top of the piston. Took a 2ft long breaker bar and a lot of a$$ to break it loose. View attachment 66817

Small diameter nylon rope....stuff a couple of feet in through the plug hole.The pointy end of a stop just doesn't cut it for me....

 

[Fish]

That is why you need to buy their piston stop and follow their procedure.

 

[Hammermechanicman]

I used their locking screw and still damaged the piston. Oh well, just a hack with some shiny tools.