New poster/ Help identify this Stihl

[trt3]

First off as you probably know, I am a new poster. Have enjoyed reading and have learned a lot from the site. But, I haven't learned enough to identify this saw. I looked on the front of the crank case and can't find a serial #. I think last night I read in several posts that it should be on the front right of the crankcase. There is nothing marked on the front. I got this with 5 other stihls. All in need of rebuilds, all are apart except this one. The others I will get to later but I think they are all 044's. Could be a magnum of some sort in there as one of the air filter covers is marked MAGNUM. Sharp aint I !
Getting to the saw at hand. This one has a decompression valve on top. That is all that sets it apart from the others as far as I can tell. Where else would I find a serial # ? Also, this one isn't stuck but the piston stops at the top. You can turn the fly wheel and the piston will move but stops at the TDC or close to it. I haven't pulled the head yet. What would make this happen?
I guess by now you realize I'm not a mechanic either but that may change with your help. Are there any rebuild manuals for these that are pretty straight forward?

 

[parrisw]

Welcome to the site!!

I'm guessing that's a 046???

 

[teacherman]

I am thinking early MS440, pre flip caps.

 

[Sawdustmaker]

Stihl 044

 

[Sawdustmaker]

I am thinking early MS440, pre flip caps.

did they make ms440s without flip caps?.....

it is 044... MS440 have a different filter cover, so do 046s

if you are looking at it check the letters on the plastic an you can know more...

 

[Sawdustmaker]

If you can, pull the plastic covers off, and look at the dates

the sundial points to a month, and the letter is a year.

 

[Sawdustmaker]

my guess is that you will find that the cyl cover and the filter cover don't match.
try the gastank... the cyl cover may be off of a ms440 as teacher said but the filter cover is not.

 

[landyboy]

044

 

[trt3]

Not quite sure what letters you're talking about but on the bottom of the handle is PA 6/ GF and 1128 7911000 and on the inside of the filter cover is PA6/GF 30 and 1128 141 0500. Also, the other saws that I am assuming are 044's, the filter cover will fit perfectly but they have different makrings on them.

 

[Sawdustmaker]

Not quite sure what letters you're talking about but on the bottom of the handle is PA 6/ GF and 1128 7911000 and on the inside of the filter cover is PA6/GF 30 and 1128 141 0500. Also, the other saws that I am assuming are 044's, the filter cover will fit perfectly but they have different makrings on them.

the "S" in the sundial in this picture...

 

[SawTroll]

did they make ms440s without flip caps?.....

...

No.

 

[Sawdustmaker]

No.

i did not think so

 

[Jacob J.]

Welcome to the site!!

I'm guessing that's a 046???

Correct. What you have there is a Frankensaw. If you look closely you'll see the main shroud/cylinder cover is 046, and the crankcase is the longer 046 version. So it's an 046 with an 044 tank, filter base, and air filter cover.

You can also see that the muffler is the 046 muffler, not 044.

 

[Sawdustmaker]

Correct. What you have there is a Frankensaw. If you look closely you'll see the main shroud/cylinder cover is 046, and the crankcase is the longer 046 version. So it's an 046 with an 044 tank, filter base, and air filter cover.

You can also see that the muffler is the 046 muffler, not 044.

Can you point out what you are seeing that indicates this. i just bought, and have not yet recieved my first 046 so i did not know these things were different beyond the crankcase and i can't tell them apart.

 

[trt3]

No sundial, just a checkerboard with the letters RSTUV beside it.
I guess if I take it appart and measure the cylinder bore that should tell the story. What would it measure for 044 and 046?

I assume if it is a Frankensaw it wouldn't change the performance in any way, correct?

Also, one of my original questions hasn't been touched on yet. What would make the piston stop at the top and not make it full stroke?

 

[trt3]

I just had a thought. If this is a Frankensaw could it be a magnum? I bought six saws from a guy, all apart except for this one. I have a hill of a mess here and don't know my azz from a hole in the ground. One of the covers is for a magnum.
Anybody near Morganton NC that wants to come over and take a look!!!!!!!

Would any additional pictures be helpful?

 

[Sawdustmaker]

looking at IPL.... i see the diff in shrouds....

but i don't see it in the muffler or the crankcase..

 

[Sawdustmaker]

No sundial, just a checkerboard with the letters RSTUV beside it.
I guess if I take it appart and measure the cylinder bore that should tell the story. What would it measure for 044 and 046?

I assume if it is a Frankensaw it wouldn't change the performance in any way, correct?

Also, one of my original questions hasn't been touched on yet. What would make the piston stop at the top and not make it full stroke?

50mm for 044, 52mm for 046
you may not have to take it apart, you should be able to do it just by taking the muffler off.

 

[Jacob J.]

Can you point out what you are seeing that indicates this. i just bought, and have not yet recieved my first 046 so i did not know these things were different beyond the crankcase and i can't tell them apart.

The shape of the shroud is different between an 046/460 and the 044/440. Put one of each side by side and you'll see what I mean.

No sundial, just a checkerboard with the letters RSTUV beside it.
I guess if I take it appart and measure the cylinder bore that should tell the story. What would it measure for 044 and 046?

I assume if it is a Frankensaw it wouldn't change the performance in any way, correct?

Also, one of my original questions hasn't been touched on yet. What would make the piston stop at the top and not make it full stroke?

It will perform like an 046 should perform, given that the engine is in good condition. However, it's unknown at this point which carburetor you have. That could be an issue.
What is making the piston stop could be several things- damage to the piston/cylinder, damage to the crankshaft/main bearings, broken clutch or clutch drum, blown clutch drum bearing, loose ignition, foreign debris, etc. The only way to find out is to take it apart and get inside.

I just had a thought. If this is a Frankensaw could it be a magnum? I bought six saws from a guy, all apart except for this one. I have a hill of a mess here and don't know my azz from a hole in the ground. One of the covers is for a magnum.
Anybody near Morganton NC that wants to come over and take a look!!!!!!!

Would any additional pictures be helpful?

All 046 saws sold in the U.S. were Magnum saws.

looking at IPL.... i see the diff in shrouds....

but i don't see it in the muffler or the crankcase..

Again, put the mufflers and crankcases side by side and you'll see the differences. The IPLs don't always tell the whole story, a fact that I've been trying to communicate to people for 20 years.

 

[Sawdustmaker]

The shape of the shroud is different between an 046/460 and the 044/440. Put one of each side by side and you'll see what I mean.



It will perform like an 046 should perform, given that the engine is in good condition. However, it's unknown at this point which carburetor you have. That could be an issue.
What is making the piston stop could be several things- damage to the piston/cylinder, damage to the crankshaft/main bearings, broken clutch or clutch drum, blown clutch drum bearing, loose ignition, foreign debris, etc. The only way to find out is to take it apart and get inside.



All 046 saws sold in the U.S. were Magnum saws.



Again, put the mufflers and crankcases side by side and you'll see the differences. The IPLs don't always tell the whole story, a fact that I've been trying to communicate to people for 20 years.

ok... So exactly what does magnum mean?