Making Lemonade out of a Lemon - Restoring a First Year 046 Magnum

[blsnelling]

I've been around long enough to know that it's VERY difficult to make money fixing up old saws. Never the less, I couldn't help myself and bought this first year 046. It was sold to me as a runner. The seller later told me "It ran like crap, but I just though it was the carb."! That's the understatement of the year.

BTW, this saw was sold in November 1997.

I didn't even tear it down when I got it. I just tore into it to go through it. I thought I'd clean it up and flip it for a quick buck. Well, that wasn't to happen. I first pulled the topend and found the piston and cylinder to be destroyed. Also, the big end rod bearing had play and evidence of lots of heat.

Being like I am, I began searching for parts. I bought a really nice used OEM crank, identical, early, D-Chambered, Mahle cylinder, and ordered new OEM crank bearings, seals, and gaskets, and Mahle piston. I later found that the tank was rather badly cracked and patched with JBWeld, which was also cracked. I also found the oil pump piston was broken.

Crushed filter.

 

[blsnelling]

But now I'm into this thing WAY too far to turn back. I decided that I would go ahead and make this thing cherry in order to try and recoup my expenses. I'll be donating my time and labor, but I've got to do something to turn this thing around. So, I proceeded to clean everything up. The crankcase, recoil, and clutch cover were smoothed, primed with self-etching primer, and painted with enamel with hardener in it. It's custom matched to Stihl "grey". I held the two case halves together with a couple bolts, left the old seals and bearings installed, taped off a couple areas, and put fuel line over a few pins and barbs. After it flashed off a bit, I removed the bolts holding the case halves together and put the parts in the oven at 170° for 2 hours. The paint was totally hard when it came out.

.

 

[blsnelling]

Yesterday afternoon I proceeded to knock out the old seals and bearings, and went back together with the new bottom end components. At that point, I decided to go ahead and port it. Why not? It's only me time, lol.

I'm waiting on additional parts to finish up this side.

 

[blsnelling]

That's where it sets now. It'll be a couple days before I can make any additional progress.

 

[mdavlee]

That's the 2nd oiler I've seen like that.

 

[Sty57]

It looks very nice Brad. I'm the same way, once you start there's no turning back.

Thanks, Brian
2186, 372xp, 346xpg, 40
C9, C51, XL-12, 360

 

[redfin]

Looks good Brad. You going to put a new tank on to match?

 

[1Alpha1]

Nice job!

If you're going to do something, you might as well throw your hat in the ring and do it right.

 

[Raganr]

Nice effort. Hope you find your tank.

Been down this road myself with a rear handle MS200. Spent so much getting it running that I had no choice but to keep it and enjoy it.

At least you have the skills to repair and add value to it/dig yourself out.

 

[blsnelling]

Looks good Brad. You going to put a new tank on to match?

It has to be replaced. I just hate putting a flippy cap tank on it, but it's looking like that's my only option.

 

[blsnelling]

Nice effort. Hope you find your tank.

Been down this road myself with a rear handle MS200. Spent so much getting it running that I had no choice but to keep it and enjoy it.

At least you have the skills to repair and add value to it/dig yourself out.

I'll definitely be selling this one. I'm doing my best to keep it all period correct. I hated losing the original cylinder, but the replacement is the exact same one.

 

[old-cat]

Man, you're a whiner! You could have just polished that p/c a little and put it on the market. Some sucker would have jumped for it

 

[blsnelling]

Man, you're a whiner! You could have just polished that p/c a little and put it on the market. Some sucker would have jumped for it

Someone before me did! I'm the sucker, lol

 

[SS Sniper]

Very nice job so far. It'll be cool to see what others have when walking into a Stihl dealer in 97'
Looking forward to seeing the finished product!

 

[olyman]

brad,,see all those nicked spots on the clutch cover,,that showed up REAL well after that wonderful paint job??? go to a auto body supply place,,and get a product called lacquer putty,,thats in a tube. great stuff, for filling small pin holes,,and will cover a area a larger also...sands smooth easily,,and covers great...while not as hardening as regular body putty,,good stuff......wont stick to plastic at all,,but will to metal of any type......

 

[MustangMike]

Nice job there Brad, good luck with it. I'm still kicking myself that the deal I had for one fell through, was almost the same SN as this one (just a hair earlier).

Did this one come with a dp muff cover (from the factory) also?

I would love to see what an original first year, dp (factory) saw runs like with just a HD-2 filter. I'll bet it would be strong, but porting will make it scream.

 

[blsnelling]

Yes, I have a HD2 filter for it I do believe the muffler cover is original. I know my dad's came with one.

 

[SS Sniper]

brad,,see all those nicked spots on the clutch cover,,that showed up REAL well after that wonderful paint job??? go to a auto body supply place,,and get a product called lacquer putty,,thats in a tube. great stuff, for filling small pin holes,,and will cover a area a larger also...sands smooth easily,,and covers great...while not as hardening as regular body putty,,good stuff......wont stick to plastic at all,,but will to metal of any type......

Wouldn't they vibrate and fall out over time?

 

[calebng15]

Sounds like one of my projects! I tore down my 2100, and now I'm going through the same thing. I figured I've done dug my hole this deep might as well cover myself back up!

 

[blsnelling]

I just acquired a 288XP with similar issues. It will be a little more long term getting fixed up though. I plan to keep it though.