need to know asap what this stihl is if possible

i can't tell what this saw is. The guy said there is no sticker numbers on it. He is asking 200 for it. He thinks it is an 038 which i know better then that since it has the flippy caps. You all have any idea on MAYBE what this one is and where on the saw does it have a number for the saw. I pesonally think it might be a 310 or 390. What do i need to look for to get an idea what model it is??. I am going this evening to look at it and maybe write him a check for it. if it was an echo i would know right off the bat but i am new to stihls. DANG... I AM GOING TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE. Blasted CAD. Thanks guys in advance

Can you read the sticker on the handle? Not an 038 BTW.

I'm going to go out on a limb and proclaim that this is the elusive flippy-capped 029. This saw is certainly in the 290-310-390 family; you can't tell without checking the cylinder. It's definitely not a 038.

If you really want to know what you got, stick something in the exhaust port and measure the cylinder diameter.

45mm = 029
46mm = 029 Super, MS290
47mm = MS310
49mm = 039, MS390

if I recall correctly

yep....290-310-390. only a bore measurement will tell for sure.

290, 310 or 390.

I never heard of "elusive flippy capped 029s" before, but I may just have missed it.....

Possible rebuild? New handle-gas tank, oil tank?

MS290 or MS310. Might be an earlier MS390. I'm not sure when the 390 went with a decomp.

Yeah I agree with homelite Jim its probably an 029 or 039 with a new gas/oil tank assembly on it. If I had to guess I would say its an 029 since that is by far the most common.

a better question is why do you need it if you have a 361? if you want a back-up, i would look for a smaller saw that can pull duty as a limber i.e. 346 or 346 or 346 or 260/026. or maybe even an (errrrrrr, i can't believe i'm saying this) a smaller echo.

If most or all the parts are original it should be an 029, the 039 had a green and yellow decal on the handbrake, if it was a ms it would have a round emblem on the recoil housing. Or it is just a mongrel.

bcorradi said:

Yeah I agree with homelite Jim its probably an 029 or 039 with a new gas/oil tank assembly on it. If I had to guess I would say its an 029 since that is by far the most common.

Click to expand...

Or it could be a 290 with an older starter assembly....


Now, according to the Stihl website timeline:

1998: New toolless filler caps for fuel and oil tanks are introduced for the first time on the model 029 and 039 chain saws. These caps can now be opened and closed without requiring tools.

STIHL Incorporated USA -- Corporate -- Manufacturing the World's Number One Selling Brand of Chain Saws

I believe I have seen one or two 029's or 039's with flippies. Here is a post about a 039 with flippies: http://www.arboristsite.com/chainsaw/110574.htm

I agree with murph also...I don't think it would fit very well in your saw lineup no matter what it is and there isn't a ton of money to be made if you were planning on buying it for resale.

brages said:

Or it could be a 290 with an older starter assembly....


Now, according to the Stihl website timeline:

1998: New toolless filler caps for fuel and oil tanks are introduced for the first time on the model 029 and 039 chain saws. These caps can now be opened and closed without requiring tools.

STIHL Incorporated USA -- Corporate -- Manufacturing the World's Number One Selling Brand of Chain Saws

I believe I have seen one or two 029's or 039's with flippies.

Click to expand...

I believe what tooless caps they are referring to are the orange caps like shown on this saw with the point on the circumference for gripping.

Ebay Link

To my knowledge the following visual changes were made on the MS series vs the 0 series.

1) MS series has newer contoured plastic.
2) Instead of having the name plate on the top it was placed on the starter cover.
3) It has flippy style caps.

The availability of aftermarket parts, DIY'ers, etc. have really blurred the lines to make it confusing.

Here are some examples
MS290 with old 029 style handle and air filter cover assembly

029 with new MS style handle and air filter cover assembly

bcorradi said:

I believe what tooless caps they are referring to are the orange caps like shown on this saw with the point on the circumference for gripping.

Ebay Link

Click to expand...

Could be, but then why would they say "toolless caps for fuel and oil" -- I think the orange point was just used on the gas cap. I still believe in the flippy 029/039; I think I saw another one somewhere else anyway.

Regardless, I'm starting to think this is a 290 with a different starter... if the 029 badge had fallen off, there would probably be some kind of mark left behind -- a shadow of non-fading or some adhesive residue.

I didn't see where he said he needed this saw for anything other than just having it. CAD is a mysterious disease best just to roll with it.

bcorradi said:

To my knowledge the following visual changes were made on the MS series vs the 0 series.

1) MS series has newer contoured plastic.

Click to expand...

My brother-in-law's 290 had the flat top cover like the 029's. I am certain it is original. I think the newer contoured plastic was added some time after the switchover to the MS numbering and flippies.

Ya I guess the saw still leaves me a little confused myself. I've worked on quite a few of these and everyone followed the consistencies I've noted above, but that doesn't say I'm right either. Fish, Thall, or SawDr would be able to answer the questions better than me.

brages said:

My brother-in-law's 290 had the flat top cover like the 029's. I am certain it is original. I think the newer contoured plastic was added some time after the switchover to the MS numbering and flippies.

Click to expand...

Yeah I think you may be right that there were some 290's that didn't have the new contoured plastic. However, I don't believe there were any 0 models that came with flippy caps. When they changed to flippy caps they changed to MS models.

i am still waiting for the guy to get home so i can go look at it with a check. Wife said i could get it. Would make a nice backup saw though. I will just need to check it over and see what it is and what shape it is in. might be coming home with it this eve