Scored an 044 project, I may suck!!

[Tinman204]

Since I'm deep into my CAD journey I'm constantly looking for good project saws to build.

Was picking up my new 576xp that my buddy built for me yesterday and he knew I've been looking for an 044 project.

He pulled out a bin with a super dirty 044 in it. At first I was thinking this thing better be cheap. When I had a closer look I got super excited.

Heres a few pictures.

I'm not sure what year it is, serial number is X133807665, looks like it is a 12mm by the crank cases. Its also an arctic model with heated grips and carb.

Underneath all the crap was a pretty clean saw, all the parts are there except its missing the pull cord, handle and some of the recoil parts inside. The handle is cracked at the fuel tank so it will need a new tank assembly..No biggie.

It came with 2 mufflers, a single port and a brand new dual port.

The saw has tons of compression..

I pulled the muffler and the piston is like new.

Heres the exhaust side:

Top of the piston is so dirty from sitting open but the bore looks good

Intake side:

I plan to do a vac and pressure and then pull the top end to do a good cleaning of the piston and cylinder.

I may need to flush out the cases to if I find dirt in there..

So happy he let me have this saw, i had to pay for it but not much. I have been wanting an 044 but I've also wanted a saw with heated grips for winter cutting!!

I think I got a great deal!

 

[pioneerguy600]

That`s a great project saw, 044`s are my favorite 70 cc Stihl saw.

 

[Tinman204]

I've never run an 044 so I pretty excited to to try this one.

My first impression is its pretty light for a 70cc saw. It feels almost as light as my 562xp and its for sure lighter then my 038 magnum.

The guy I got it off is a diehard Husqvarna fan and even he said the 044 is damn good saw.

 

[drf255]

You’re missing some parts. Looks like the airbox cover is missing. You can find an AM setup and fix it to work.

It came 2 ways.

Standard filter has plastic black area that the standard filter gots over and the stud for the rear cover is Integral.

HD filter option where there is a plastic airbox cover and a metal AF stud holder goes into it and nuts over that. I’ll see if I can find pics.

Pull off the AF cover and let’s see what’s there.

Great deal for sure.

 

[drf255]

Here are the standard and HD setup. Btw, you suck.

 

[merc_man]

Nice score. It cleaned up nice so far.

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[Tinman204]

You’re missing some parts. Looks like the airbox cover is missing. You can find an AM setup and fix it to work.

It came 2 ways.

Standard filter has plastic black area that the standard filter gots over and the stud for the rear cover is Integral.

HD filter option where there is a plastic airbox cover and a metal AF stud holder goes into it and nuts over that. I’ll see if I can find pics.

Pull off the AF cover and let’s see what’s there.

Great deal for sure.

Thanks for the pictures, that sheds some light on the matter..

Most of parts that aren't in the picture are in a box, the saw was partially dissasembled when I got it.

It has the standard filter setup now althought it is missing the mount with the stud that holds the filter and cover, the worm gear for the oil pump and a couple odds and ends.

It appears to be mostly all there. I've been a stihl guy since Ive been cutting wood so i have lots of odds and ends to piece this one back together.

Have built several Husqvarnas lately, I feared I was heading to the orange side, this one should put me back to the cremesickle/orange saw kind of guy that I am.

I plan on upgrading to the HD setup on this one for sure.

 

[kyle.kipple]

The pictures look as if that’s a 046/460 filter cover...or is it just me?

Edited:
You suck!

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[Tinman204]

Air filter setup is the standard version for sure.

I put all the odds and ends together just now. Its 90% complete..

 

[Tinman204]

Been working on my 576xp for couple weeks, its been driving me nuts, so I decidedto put it aside and put the 044 back on tne bench and start tearing it down.

I tore it down to clean and inspect it. Didn't find really anything I didnt like. Only thing I found broken was 1 wire for the hand heater needs to be soldered back on the the element, no biggie.

I pulled the top end, its minty minty. Piston still has the oil grooves on it, cylinder is perfect.

This saw was decommissioned because of a broken gas tank is the story I got. Seems to makes sense, the few parts that are missing were robbed over the years to repair other saws.

My question is if the ring gap is .014" at the exhaust port, can I reuse the rings? Rings are clean and perfect, dont seem brittle in any way..

 

[cus_deluxe]

i seem to remember .004”/bore inch as a general rule, so those i would call worn. piston looks pretty good from your pics, some machine marks visible, could probly just get away with new rings

 

[Tinman204]

Ok I will probably order new rings, I wasn't sure what the acceptable amount of gap was.

Ordered a new tank/handle, hd filter kit, carb kit, a few clutch parts, recoil so I can rob parts to rebuild the oem recoil. Might as well add rings to the list.

Thanks

 

[brandonstc6]

Here are the standard and HD setup. Btw, you suck.

View attachment 728734 View attachment 728735 View attachment 728736

What is the part number for that air filter? Is it still available. All I can seem to get is the hd2.


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[Tinman204]

Heres an update.

So this project went very easy, infact I got real lucky on this one.

The top end turned out to be like new once I pulled it. The rings had a couple thou wear but not enought to concern me.

The bottom end was also fine, I rinsed it out to flush the years of dust but that was it. The crank seals passed pressure and vac so even those stayed.

I ended up ordering a farmertec handle/gastank and one of their knock off hd filter kits. I installed a new clutch bearing, sprocket and oil pump gear.

I pieced together a recoil from an oem one and a new AM recoil.

I had to rewire quite a bit of the saw as the wiring for the heated handles was very brittle and broken. I thought it may end up not working it was all so bad.

I polished off the parts ordering with a big ol pair of dogs which seem to work well so far.

I did a no base gasket build and the squish ended up at .020" which again was lucky just like the rest of the build.

Heres some pictures.

I'm still waiting for my carb kit to arrive in the mail, I inspected the carb and the diaphram was soft stil so I through the saw together just for fun..

It has big compression, I have to really mean it when I pull it over.

My neighbor has a 30" or so tree lying in his yard from last year so figured ill throw my 25" bar and a 33rs stihl chain on the 044 and do some test cuts.



Ive never run an 044 so I guess its up to you guys if shes a runner or not? Saw feels very strong to me.

Brought along my 576 non at with a 20" bar and an oregon EXL chain on it for comparison.



I really lucked out on this one.

I now have a pretty minty 044 that runs strong for peanuts. Oh and the heated grips work to boot.

So i guess I still suck!!

 

[Tinman204]

 

[peak98]

Sweet 044! I wants one too. I got a helluva deal on a 660 but in reality, an 044/440 or 460 would suit me much better.
peak98

 

[Tinman204]

Sweet 044! I wants one too. I got a helluva deal on a 660 but in reality, an 044/440 or 460 would suit me much better.
peak98

For me 70cc saws are the sweet spot for sure.

 

[DSW]

Sounds great.

Nice work man.

 

[cuinrearview]

Sounds great.

Nice work man.

+1

You suck

 

[burnses]

well I say run of the mill project except for the heat! heavy on the pictures...I get it been using mine for fore wood small dogs and 18 inch bar...fun...nice job ya earned it!

the can