diesel&coffee
ArboristSite Guru
ok was reading the 381/038 mag thread.. I have seen a lot, lot, lot of 031 AV's on EBAY lately.. Any comments on the 031 vrs the 032/030..
comments on old stihl 031 AV'S
- Thread starter diesel&coffee
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indiansprings
Firewood Purveyor
031's and 032's were excellent saws for the day, heavy in today's world, but great firewood saws, pro construction. Built like tanks and tough as hell. I have a 032 that I bought new almost 30 years ago, it has had nothing done to it but, replacing a few plugs, one air filter replacement and normal care and it Stihl runs like a new one. I have an 030 as well, but they weren't made but a year maybe two and have smaller displacement than the 031/032.
A good 031 or 032 can make someone a cheap dependable firewood saw that will last for years.
A good 031 or 032 can make someone a cheap dependable firewood saw that will last for years.
agreed. I have one Stihl and its an 031AV, Very well built. Mine is an early model, made in West Germany. If you get one, you wont be disapointed.
<a href="http://s729.photobucket.com/albums/ww294/joe25da/?action=view¤t=saw061.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i729.photobucket.com/albums/ww294/joe25da/saw061.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
They are good saws, not in the same league as an 038 Mag, but good firewood saws.
Coil/points are/were an issue. See several a year that are toasted.
Find a good running unit, and use it for firewood, you'll be pleased. Expect it to be an old style torque king, well there are better choices
redunshee
Addicted to ArboristSite
No, I got it real greasy and dirty, I cleaned it and thats what was underneath. It neede a new plug wire carb kit and lines. I did spray the muffler. That saw is all original, even has the Duramatic hard nose. Runs as good as it looks too 170psi
redunshee
Addicted to ArboristSite
No, I got it real greasy and dirty, I cleaned it and thats what was underneath. It neede a new plug wire carb kit and lines. I did spray the muffler. That saw is all original, even has the Duramatic hard nose. Runs as good as it looks too 170psi
fantastic! What a find!!!!
My repair shop had it kickin around for years, he said "you want that old stihl, $30." I was pretty happy that day. I buy alot from him and send him alot of work so he takes good care of me. Works great for both of us.
BloodOnTheIce
Addicted to ArboristSite
There are still a lot of them out there, but between the ignitions dieing, and rewind parts are all obsolete, fixing them is getting rough.
They were 50cc's and a common setup around here is 3/8" with a 16/18" hard nose bar. I have seen a couple with 24" bars and had no idea how they could pull them.
They were 50cc's and a common setup around here is 3/8" with a 16/18" hard nose bar. I have seen a couple with 24" bars and had no idea how they could pull them.
diesel&coffee
ArboristSite Guru
why hardnose bars... even thou the bar is short - isn't a roller bar much better for the saw/chain??
Well, less moving parts to wear out. Typically the tips of these bars are hardened steel to reduce wear. And Ive even heard of some guys welding steel on the tips of worn hardnose bars then re-grooving them. Nowadays you dont see a lot of hard nose bars around for the reasons you stated. I kept it on cause the saw is in awesome shape and its the original bar.
Guido Salvage
Supreme Saw Whoreder
I have 4 of them in pieces in boxes, maybe I need to put one together...
Rookie1
Addicted to ArboristSite
Cool resurrection of an old thread. I have a box of 3 or so that I need to put together. Plan on starting soon thanks to Epicklein22 and farmboss45 for getting me more parts. 
I bought a new 031 in 1982 or 3, and it is still a good saw. My son has it now, and has another running and a parts one, just in case.
'Very tough and dependable. DO NOT put ethanol gas in one,, or if you do, drain it out and put some other fuel in to store it.
'Very tough and dependable. DO NOT put ethanol gas in one,, or if you do, drain it out and put some other fuel in to store it.
I have a couple of 031s and an 032. Very nice well put together saws. They are heavier than new saws of the same size but not bad compared to other makes of that era. Mine all have 20" Rollomatic bars on them.
half
ArboristSite Operative
good old o31
I had a 031AV from new.never gave any trouble and cut a log train full of firewood in its life Just changed plug and airfilter and thats all. It died about 5 yrs ago when the cage on the main bearing went through the transfer port and jammed the piston.at full noise. Took it apart .It was through the icing in the bore and it had a real bad score, so traded it for a Oleomac. good italian saw. bit cheaper than a Stihl, but its been a good saw, just lately seems to be a bit light on chain oil so will take it to bits shortly, and check the pump
the main reason i did not bother rebuilding it was it was a bit noisy and had no chain breaker, and i had had a couple of kickbacks with it ,no damage to me, but a wake up call
I had a 031AV from new.never gave any trouble and cut a log train full of firewood in its life Just changed plug and airfilter and thats all. It died about 5 yrs ago when the cage on the main bearing went through the transfer port and jammed the piston.at full noise. Took it apart .It was through the icing in the bore and it had a real bad score, so traded it for a Oleomac. good italian saw. bit cheaper than a Stihl, but its been a good saw, just lately seems to be a bit light on chain oil so will take it to bits shortly, and check the pump
the main reason i did not bother rebuilding it was it was a bit noisy and had no chain breaker, and i had had a couple of kickbacks with it ,no damage to me, but a wake up call
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They can pull 42" bars with the right chain. Don't believe it? There's a vid around here somewhere.
I have a 20" Rollomatic E roller nose bar with the re-buildable sprocket and that thing chews! Semi-chisel even!
Do you mean a replaceable sprocket?
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