Given a locked up 12mm 044

foragefarmer · Nov 13, 2018

I was given a "locked up" 044 on Sunday. It is a 131 serial 12mm saw. It is the one in front, my 10mm 044 behind it needs crank seals. Happily I noticed the issue with that saw right away and did no damage to the saw.

The free saw has an aftermarket jug on it. I thought it would be burnt up, but it turns out it spat a wrist pin retainer clip and locked up on that. I need to go through the saw and see what else is up with it, the fly wheel is missing a fin and the chain brake isn't acting right.

The plastics are nicer on this saw than on my 10mm saw so they may get switched over.

I wonder what cylinder kit I may put on it. My 12mm 044 has a Meteor kit on it and has performed well for the last 4-5 years.

Dub11 · Nov 13, 2018

@MustangMike

Canadian farm boy · Nov 13, 2018

10mm 044. Check
12mm 044. Check
044 hybrid............?

huskyboy · Nov 13, 2018

Canadian farm boy said:
10mm 044. Check
12mm 044. Check
044 hybrid............?

I like your thinking

MustangMike · Nov 13, 2018

IMO, if it will just be a firewood saw, and you want to go low cost (but make a good runner) I would get a HL Supply Door buster 460 jug (less than $20). They have excellent port work, and I'm running one 460 and one Hybrid with them w/o any problems so far.

The HLS jug does not require much work to make it work. Slot the bolt holes and thin the sides a bit and you are good to go. Also, make sure you clean up and bevel the ports, and I usually lower the intake. The Exhaust and Transfer ports on these cylinder are generally VG. I would buy 2 to reduce shipping and have a spare.

I don't like the pistons that come with the jug, so I would get an OEM or Meteor piston for it. (I have a used OEM in the Hybrid, and a Meteor in the 460).

I also like the New West P+C, but they cost a little more. The piston in that kit looks VG to me, but the cylinder will need more port work, especially with the upper transfers, and the exhaust can really benefit from some enlarging. I also lower the intakes on them, and I have one that runs real nice after doing those mods and adding bridge ports.

Or, contact someone who builds Hybrids and has an OEM 440 P+C available.

044/440s are hard to find around here, best of luck with it.

foragefarmer · Nov 13, 2018

MustangMike said:
IMO, if it will just be a firewood saw, and you want to go low cost (but make a good runner) I would get a HL Supply Door buster 460 jug (less than $20). They have excellent port work, and I'm running one 460 and one Hybrid with them w/o any problems so far.

The HLS jug does not require much work to make it work. Slot the bolt holes and thin the sides a bit and you are good to go. Also, make sure you clean up and bevel the ports, and I usually lower the intake. The Exhaust and Transfer ports on these cylinder are generally VG. I would buy 2 to reduce shipping and have a spare.

I don't like the pistons that come with the jug, so I would get an OEM or Meteor piston for it. (I have a used OEM in the Hybrid, and a Meteor in the 460).

I also like the New West P+C, but they cost a little more. The piston in that kit looks VG to me, but the cylinder will need more port work, especially with the upper transfers, and the exhaust can really benefit from some enlarging. I also lower the intakes on them, and I have one that runs real nice after doing those mods and adding bridge ports.

Or, contact someone who builds Hybrids and has an OEM 440 P+C available.

044/440s are hard to find around here, best of luck with it.

Good info thanks. Interested in the low cost P&C's. I have read a hybrid build thread or two over the years and there isn't anything scary involved. This is the 5th 440/044 I have owned. My favorite saw.

foragefarmer · Nov 20, 2018

The HLS P+C kits are 19.99 at the moment. Order incoming.

foragefarmer · Nov 23, 2018

Got my order in. I guess I am glad I ordered two of these cheap cylinder kits because on one the casting was noticeably better than on the other. The transfers on one has extensive voids in the casting and small bubble voids in the top of the cylinder. If I had paid $49 for the one I would be unhappy, but $20 bucks is ok.

I got a Meteor piston as well. I am running a few of those in various saws. Including my 394xp milling saw and they have been flawless. I ain't putting it in one of these cylinders straight off. Talk about trying to make a silk purse out of a sows ear.

Al Smith · Nov 23, 2018

Some of those AM piston kits have screwed up circlips which will blow out .I always use OEM clips if I have them .

MustangMike · Nov 23, 2018

Looking forward to seeing how this comes out! I like how mine runs.

foragefarmer · Nov 24, 2018

Al Smith said:
Some of those AM piston kits have screwed up circlips which will blow out .I always use OEM clips if I have them .

Since that is why the saw failed and given to me that would be a safe bet.

MustangMike · Nov 26, 2018

Some real good Monday deals for these saws on the HLS site:

The New West BB P+C, which comes with a very usable piston, and starter pawls with spring clip and washer for $1.28! Great to have around.

http://www.hlsproparts.com/Stihl-044-MS440-big-bore-kit-52mm-p/nwt-bbn044.htm

These things run great with a little port work! Nice combustion chamber and piston.

foragefarmer · Nov 26, 2018

I have the cylinder fitted to the saw. I need to check the squish and head on from there.

foragefarmer · Nov 26, 2018

Also ordered the OEM clips and OEM crank seals for my 10mm saw. I am interested to see how the hydrid runs compared to the 10mm. I haven't done a bunch to that saw. A dual port muffler, port matched the muffler, new OEM piston, and a base gasket delete. Pulls 190 psi and 4 strokes out to 14700 although I keep it tuned to 14200. Fun saw to run.

MustangMike · Nov 26, 2018

I bought a new piston for mine, and planned to install it when I deleted the base gasket, but when I saw the replacement OEM piston was not the same as the original, I left the original in it, and she runs just fine!

Base gasket delete, timing advance, dp muff cover, and winter air filter.

foragefarmer · Nov 29, 2018

Got the new flywheel and coil in and checked the squish without a base gasket in 4 points. It was anywhere from .018 to .023. When I went in through the spark plug hole initially it showed .031. So a fair bit of piston tilt when tested in one spot.

Anyone have any history with the farmertec coils? How do they hold up?

MustangMike · Nov 29, 2018

I have not had any problems with the Farmtec coils, just shorten the lead to the plug (unscrew from the coil, cut wire, and screw it back in, easy). I think I remove about 2", but check it.

I see both 044s are red lever saws. IMO, they are about the strongest runners (with OEM cylinder). So you can gage the performance of this one against the 10 mm saw.

foragefarmer · Dec 2, 2018

Got it together this evening.

foragefarmer · Dec 3, 2018

It’s alive!

Got it tuned up and cut some mulberry cookies with it.

MustangMike · Dec 3, 2018

So, how does it feel?

Given a locked up 12mm 044

70cc groupie

Saw R skeery

“Normal” people scare me.

Sorta a husqvarna guy...

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