Stihl Info on 045/056

[Josh Kessler]

I sent four serial numbers to Stihl to see if they could provide any insight on how these machines started life. I have three 045/056 saws that have been frankensteined over the years (prior to my ownership) and one spare crankcase. The serials were:

114625539
111313571
E7906591
E5264045

Both "E" serials are one digit short. I thought I was seeing the stamping wrong until I read the second one even more clear. This also threw off Stihl. Here is their same-day response:

Thank you for contacting STIHL.

Regarding your inquiry, we would like to provide the following :

Engine Family 1115

045 Production Ran 1974-1980
045 SUPER Production Ran 1977-1980
056AV Production Ran 1980-1985
056AVSE Production Ran 1980-1984

Serial Numbers beginning with "1" are units manufactured in Germany, and due to the age of said models, no other information was found via Serial Number.

Models with the letter "S" (such as models designated SUPER) are variations with a larger Piston Diameter.
E7906591 and E5264045 do not correspond to anything in STIHL Database of Schematics, nor do they have the customary format of STIHL Serial or Part Numbers.

Kind regards,

STIHL Inc.
536 Viking Drive
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 23452
USA

I found a document online that shows the production run of Stihl saws through the years. Their response matches what I found but neither call out the Magnum II. The AVSE is just the 056 Super, correct? Why no mention of the Magnum? I thought I read that Magnum cases are different due to the larger piston. One of my projects has a tag stating "056 Mag on 056AV case". The cylinder is clearly 56mm. I'm just trying to get everything straight!

 

[Gary Springell]

I sent four serial numbers to Stihl to see if they could provide any insight on how these machines started life. I have three 045/056 saws that have been frankensteined over the years (prior to my ownership) and one spare crankcase. The serials were:

114625539
111313571
E7906591
E5264045

Both "E" serials are one digit short. I thought I was seeing the stamping wrong until I read the second one even more clear. This also threw off Stihl. Here is their same-day response:

Thank you for contacting STIHL.

Regarding your inquiry, we would like to provide the following :

Engine Family 1115

045 Production Ran 1974-1980
045 SUPER Production Ran 1977-1980
056AV Production Ran 1980-1985
056AVSE Production Ran 1980-1984

Serial Numbers beginning with "1" are units manufactured in Germany, and due to the age of said models, no other information was found via Serial Number.

Models with the letter "S" (such as models designated SUPER) are variations with a larger Piston Diameter.
E7906591 and E5264045 do not correspond to anything in STIHL Database of Schematics, nor do they have the customary format of STIHL Serial or Part Numbers.

Kind regards,

STIHL Inc.
536 Viking Drive
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 23452
USA

I found a document online that shows the production run of Stihl saws through the years. Their response matches what I found but neither call out the Magnum II. The AVSE is just the 056 Super, correct? Why no mention of the Magnum? I thought I read that Magnum cases are different due to the larger piston. One of my projects has a tag stating "056 Mag on 056AV case". The cylinder is clearly 56mm. I'm just trying to get everything straight!

I'm trying to identify what I bought as an "056" as it hasn't got a i/d plate on the top handle cover. But it does have the identity number stamped next to the dog teeth/exhaust 111314983 the last number could be a 9 though. The top cover casting number is 911157914901 and the ignition side crank case has a casting number of 911150210700. And it is fitted with a SEM electronic ignition set up. Any cord on what mine might be?
Regards Gary

 

[Josh Kessler]

I would see if you can measure your bore to help narrow it down. My cylinders were stamped on the lower right side with the bore diameter as part of the Mahle number. That looks very similar to my 056 Super. And it appears you have a chain brake?

 

[Gary Springell]

I would see if you can measure your bore to help narrow it down. My cylinders were stamped on the lower right side with the bore diameter as part of the Mahle number. That looks very similar to my 056 Super. And it appears you have a chain brake?

I didn't want to disturb the barrel tbh, as it was running ok until I started getting an intermittent spark. Which I think is the SEM module or coil, although I did check that out with a meter. What makes you think that it had a chain brake? As I can't see any evidence of one, no levers or brake band.

 

[farmer steve]

Guys if you haven't already, go to the beg for manuals thread and ask for technical service bulletins on the 056,056mag II. Those have info on changes/ upgrades/part #s done to these saws.

 

[cbfarmall]

Depending on the bore, I'd say that's at least an 056 Super. Cylinder fins are cut away at the right front to clear the high-falutin piped muffler. Hard to see, but check if the corners of the cylinder base are chamfered instead of rounded. That would, I believe, indicate a 56mm cylinder.

The muffler isn't piped, probably means it's a super. The clutch has an integral nut means 056. The top cover has the 056 switch opening. Hand guard is the chain brake style. Chain brake on these saws is all in the clutch cover. The guard is notched to engage the lever.

 

[cbfarmall]

 

[Gary Springell]

Depending on the bore, I'd say that's at least an 056 Super. Cylinder fins are cut away at the right front to clear the high-falutin piped muffler. Hard to see, but check if the corners of the cylinder base are chamfered instead of rounded. That would, I believe, indicate a 56mm cylinder.

The muffler isn't piped, probably means it's a super. The clutch has an integral nut means 056. The top cover has the 056 switch opening. Hand guard is the chain brake style. Chain brake on these saws is all in the clutch cover. The guard is notched to engage the lever.

Hello, thank you for the information, I took a couple of photo's showing the chamfered corners of the cylinder base as you suggested. So does that nail it down to any particular 056? Regards Gary

 

[cbfarmall]

You need to measure the bore. Remove the muffler and use a popsicle stick thru the exhaust port. Run the piston up to lightly mark the popsicle stick to measure. Or, use a piece of solder. Whatever you use, make sure you get it all back out. Double check your measurements.

At the point you're at, removing the cylinder is a piece of cake

These saws are easy to mix and match parts. You may come to find it's a hodgepodge.

 

[Gary Springell]

You need to measure the bore. Remove the muffler and use a popsicle stick thru the exhaust port. Run the piston up to lightly mark the popsicle stick to measure. Or, use a piece of solder. Whatever you use, make sure you get it all back out. Double check your measurements.

At the point you're at, removing the cylinder is a piece of cake

These saws are easy to mix and match parts. You may come to find it's a hodgepodge.

Hello, I have no idea what I would be

You need to measure the bore. Remove the muffler and use a popsicle stick thru the exhaust port. Run the piston up to lightly mark the popsicle stick to measure. Or, use a piece of solder. Whatever you use, make sure you get it all back out. Double check your measurements.

At the point you're at, removing the cylinder is a piece of cake

These saws are easy to mix and match parts. You may come to find it's a hodgepodge.

Hello, I don't really understand what you mean. Do you mean that you lay length of solder across the top of the piston and then turn the engine until it chops or marks the solder. And then you you try and fish is out and measure it?

 

[cbfarmall]

Don't chop it off, just make a dent you can measure off of.

 

[cbfarmall]

The cylinder base doesn't match the Magnum style in the picture. Your saw should be either 52mm or 54mm. Measuring that is what need to do to learn more. Or, accept the saw as it is and move on.

 

[Gary Springell]

Don't chop it off, just make a dent you can measure off of.

Ok, I'll have a look at that later.

 

[Gary Springell]

The cylinder base doesn't match the Magnum style in the picture. Your saw should be either 52mm or 54mm. Measuring that is what need to do to learn more. Or, accept the saw as it is and move on.

Ok, I am keen to know exactly what it is. So are you saying that the standard 056 has a 52mm piston and the 056 super has the 54mm piston?

 

[cbfarmall]

Ok, I am keen to know exactly what it is. So are you saying that the standard 056 has a 52mm piston and the 056 super has the 54mm piston?

Yes.

 

[Gary Springell]

Yes.

Cool, I'll get back to you with the size when I done your trick.

 

[Gary Springell]

Cool, I'll get back to you with the size when I done your trick.

Ok, so I've measured the bore and it is 54mm diameter. So that makes it a 056 Super right, did that tie up with the serial number?

 

[stihltech]

52=056, 54=056S, 56=056 M

 

[Gary Springell]

52=056, 54=056S, 56=056 M

Thank you, I'll need a badge now for the top cover then. Have you got one, or do you know if they are available from Stihl?

 

[cbfarmall]

Place a want ad here, in the trading post, or check ebay.