Thread: 55 Rancher or 038 AV...which to keep?

Hello everybody. New to the site. I'm learning a lot. I have a question though. I have to choose between two saws to sell one of them.I need some cash. But i can make about the same amount of money on either one, so don't let value persuade your response. A good condition 038AV 20" with about 4 extra chains. Or a 55 rancher 18". I just got it. Ran about a tank through it. I literally put the first scratch on it. Its perfect. I only need one or the other for my main firewood saw. Oaks, usually 20" through or so.I like the 038 extra power, but i like the newer 55 for its agileness, and maybe just cause its newer. Either does the job for me, but i want some opinions. Thanks.
PS... I also have a 36 and 61 husky that were my grandpas. And a 345 i am putting a new piston in.

Keep both, cut a couple cords of firewood and sell the wood

I only got a few hours on saturdays to cut wood. And i just moved into my first home, so im not stocked up yet. And if i go hunting on saturday, thats even less time. So that plays a factor into it all too.

Two really good saws, I would probably go with the 55 since it is newer and you have a 61 already for the bigger stuff.

How much for the 038?

038s are great saws, buddy of mine has one and let me tell you, they are hard to kill.

I dunno. Was gonna put it on ebay. Saw some pretty similar go for around 280. What ya'll think?

Originally Posted by mattmc2003

I dunno. Was gonna put it on ebay. Saw some pretty similar go for around 280. What ya'll think?

IMO, if you sell the 038, you will be sorry and wish that you had it back. It's a Stihl classic.

Both run great. So its gonna be hard to choose. But i always got the 345 or 36 if i need a small nimble saw. It sure akes it easier to have that extra touch of power when you need it.

Even though all my saws are Huskies, I'd have to go with the 038, it's much more capable when you get into the bigger stuff and will smoke that 55 speedwise. I know... my wood cutting buddie's 038 is a whole lot more saw than my 55 is.

On the 345, make sure you take a good look at the bearing and seals while you have it apart. Seems to be a pretty common problem on that saw. Welcome to the site!

Actually, i already put it back together once, and ran it awhile until it quit oiling. Turns out the little plate covering the port in the cylinder slid out of place and was barely touching the oiler pinion gear, but cut it in half. So now i got it back down again. The saw was free, and it was my first time going that far into a saw, so i figured it was a good time to learn. It ran great though. I wonder if those plates are neccessary?

Originally Posted by mattmc2003

Actually, i already put it back together once, and ran it awhile until it quit oiling. Turns out the little plate covering the port in the cylinder slid out of place and was barely touching the oiler pinion gear, but cut it in half. So now i got it back down again. The saw was free, and it was my first time going that far into a saw, so i figured it was a good time to learn. It ran great though. I wonder if those plates are neccessary?

I imagine they serve some purpose, but what I am not sure. I am not sure if the seal/bearing assembly would completely cover that gap or not. It is a lot easier to put back together if you pull the crankshaft out of the case and lower the piston into the cylinder, not the other way around. I have done it both ways, but it is worth the extra effort to remove the crank in my opinion. They are a good saw to learn on. Good luck with it.

Im gonna be honest about my ignorance and go ahead and tell you i don't know how exactly.

Remove the crankshaft? It's easy, pull the flywheel, clutch and then take off the cylinder. The crankshaft will lift right out. The bearings went in my uncles saw, had to do a complete teardown and rebuild.