Bruce Hopf
ArboristSite Guru
Well, I didn't really have a choice, in the matter. I had to buy a more productive Chain Saw, and a lot lighter Chain Saw, than My McCulloch Chain Saws.
I have a bad back, and when I was cutting wood, it bothered me to the point, if I cut more than an Hour or too, I could barely walk.
So under advisement, by a few Members here on AS, I set out to buy a Stihl, 044 that needed some work. The reason I went with Stihl, because it was pretty much the other Chain Saw, that I knew something about.
I used to work as a Stihl Factory Service Technician, and worked on quite a few of them, and liked how simple they were to work on.
I went to a Small Engine Repair shop, and found a Complete Stihl, 044 with a decent 20" Bar, and a Chain, that was in fair shape yet, that was seized, and picked it up for $75.00.
I put some real good Penetrating oil in the Spark Plug Hole, and left it sit for a while. I was able to get it freed up. When I turned the crank, I could feel a little drag, and also could feel it catch.
I began tearing it down, and once I got the Muffler off, I could se a Burr around the top of the Piston. Once I got the Intake Boot off, I could see that there was a good sized chunk out of the bottom of the Piston.
When I was removing the Cylinder from the Piston, It seemed pretty hard to pull off, and felt as if it was caught on something. Once I got the Cylinder off, it seemed to look OK.
I was on eBay last night, not knowing I didn't need a Cylinder, I found a New Complete After Market Piston and Cylinder Kit. With Shipping included, it was under $120.00. I also found a Complete Gasket Kit, for under $20.00, with Shipping included.
The old Cylinder, I'll just put it away for a spare, if I need it, I'm also going to put in a New Carburetor Repair Kit for it as well, and when I'm going to be done putting it back together again, I'll have an almost New Chain Saw.
Here are a few pictures I have taken so far. I would like to thank those of you Members that advised me to take this route. Bruce.
I have a bad back, and when I was cutting wood, it bothered me to the point, if I cut more than an Hour or too, I could barely walk.
So under advisement, by a few Members here on AS, I set out to buy a Stihl, 044 that needed some work. The reason I went with Stihl, because it was pretty much the other Chain Saw, that I knew something about.
I used to work as a Stihl Factory Service Technician, and worked on quite a few of them, and liked how simple they were to work on.
I went to a Small Engine Repair shop, and found a Complete Stihl, 044 with a decent 20" Bar, and a Chain, that was in fair shape yet, that was seized, and picked it up for $75.00.
I put some real good Penetrating oil in the Spark Plug Hole, and left it sit for a while. I was able to get it freed up. When I turned the crank, I could feel a little drag, and also could feel it catch.
I began tearing it down, and once I got the Muffler off, I could se a Burr around the top of the Piston. Once I got the Intake Boot off, I could see that there was a good sized chunk out of the bottom of the Piston.
When I was removing the Cylinder from the Piston, It seemed pretty hard to pull off, and felt as if it was caught on something. Once I got the Cylinder off, it seemed to look OK.
I was on eBay last night, not knowing I didn't need a Cylinder, I found a New Complete After Market Piston and Cylinder Kit. With Shipping included, it was under $120.00. I also found a Complete Gasket Kit, for under $20.00, with Shipping included.
The old Cylinder, I'll just put it away for a spare, if I need it, I'm also going to put in a New Carburetor Repair Kit for it as well, and when I'm going to be done putting it back together again, I'll have an almost New Chain Saw.
Here are a few pictures I have taken so far. I would like to thank those of you Members that advised me to take this route. Bruce.