HELP! Dads 048 AV

[jkierjr]

Hello all,
I've just inherited my fathers 048 AV.
Rebuilt the carb, replaced the rubber hoses and such and she's purring like a kitten.
One big issue I have is that the bottom half of the trigger handle is broken off. We ran it like this for years but I'd like to swap tanks to make it whole again.
Years ago we snagged a tank handle that we believed was for an 048 /042 but never got around to changing it out.
Fast forward to now and I've found the tank handle is almost identical to the 048 I have but does not have the two rear cover screws.
More than likely meant for a single centered mounting screw (Direct to the air cleaner)

My question, before I take a great running saw apart is:
Can I swap the guts to this tank handle and just find a new cleaner cover with the single mount or am I going to run into other issues?

Thanks for any insight
Jeff

 

[jacob j.]

I don't think you would run into other issues apart from the air filter cover - The early 042s had different mounts I believe for the top cover but your replacement rear handle doesn't look to be one of those.

 

[jkierjr]

Thanks,
I guess I'll start seaching for a new cover!

Jeff

 

[Bill G]

I wish you great luck finding one.

 

[jacob j.]

Thanks,
I guess I'll start seaching for a new cover!

Jeff

It might be worth trying to find a different rear handle, or just buying a complete parts saw.

There's an 042 parts saw on eBay right now, it has the filter cover: https://www.ebay.com/itm/126335209952

 

[Woodslasher]

It might be worth trying to find a different rear handle, or just buying a complete parts saw.

There's an 042 parts saw on eBay right now, it has the filter cover: https://www.ebay.com/itm/126335209952

+1 I had an 048 for awhile and wound up buying almost an entire saw's worth of parts before I picked up a parts saw. They're such a unique saw it's just really helpful to have a parts unit hanging around.

 

[Bill G]

The choke lever is unobtanium. That is how I ended up with another 042. Many years ago I was at one of our many March auctions on a Saturday. I picked up a 042 and many other items. The next day, Sunday, I was at another local auction and there was an older 042 with the old badge. I planned on buying it or at least trying to. Well anyone who knows me knows I love to strike up conversations with anyone stranger or not., especially at auctions. It was a lull period and I was not interested in anything at the time so I was looking the saw over and two gentleman were also. We got to talking for around a half hour or so. I could tell the one gentleman really wanted that saw to go cut wood with. He and his buddy seemed like straight forward folks. Mike had retired from Deere and was just enjoying cutting wood. I knew there was no way I would bid against him as I already had one. When it came time to bid I just watched and Mike bought it. He came over to me and asked why I did not bid. I just said because I enjoyed the conversation and I knew he would appreciate the saw and take good care of it. I gave him my phone number and told him to call if he ran into trouble. He phoned and said he ended up sending it to a dealer out in the Dakota's to work on and the new 24" bar was lost out the side of the box. He got the saw back and used it to cut his firewood. We talked off and on and he called one night saying his father in law had passed away and they were cleaning up his estate. There was an old Mall there if I wanted he would bring it out to me. It was a 12A if I remember right. Shortly there after he broke the choke/master control lever and asked if I could help. I searched and had no luck. He ended up rigging up something and got by. A decent number of years go by and he phones me up asking if I want the 042. He said he was done with it and had bought a modern Stihl. I ended up meeting him and buying it from him. He had had his enjoyment and wanted to pass it on. The saw is here somewhere along with the other. I believe I also have a 042 that came out of the south. I guess it all comes down to how much you want to spend.

 

[Bill G]

+1 I had an 048 for awhile and wound up buying almost an entire saw's worth of parts before I picked up a parts saw. They're such a unique saw it's just really helpful to have a parts unit hanging around.

Many years ago I had a cousin that was running (2) John Deere 6600 combines. He bought a third one at a auction figuring to use it for parts. When they got it home it turned out to be better than what they were running

 

[jacob j.]

The choke lever is unobtanium.

There's re-pops for the choke lever/switch shaft now.

 

[Bill G]

There's re-pops for the choke lever/switch shaft now.

Well shoot that is a game changer. Where are those at?

 

[drf256]

Hello all,
I've just inherited my fathers 048 AV.
Rebuilt the carb, replaced the rubber hoses and such and she's purring like a kitten.
One big issue I have is that the bottom half of the trigger handle is broken off. We ran it like this for years but I'd like to swap tanks to make it whole again.
Years ago we snagged a tank handle that we believed was for an 048 /042 but never got around to changing it out.
Fast forward to now and I've found the tank handle is almost identical to the 048 I have but does not have the two rear cover screws.
More than likely meant for a single centered mounting screw (Direct to the air cleaner)

My question, before I take a great running saw apart is:
Can I swap the guts to this tank handle and just find a new cleaner cover with the single mount or am I going to run into other issues?

Thanks for any insight
Jeff

Did you happen to save the piece that broke off? If you did, wouldn’t be the most difficult Mag repair.

 

[Al Smith]

Parts are where you find them . I have two 048's and one 042 plus an 042 parts saw .I bought the parts saw for next to nothing to get the brake assembley .
The first 048 came from a Stihl dealer via E-bay from I think Washington state with a spun clutch side bearing .I've got a lot of old mechanics tricks which I used to reseat the bearing .One of those has a faulty clutch side seal and I have exactly one left .What's left on the 042 parts saw I'd have to check but I know no covers .
As for the saws they have plenty of power but exactly why that series was short lived has never really been explained ..One explaination was saying they develpoed case leaks .If so it probabley was because the early models used slotted head screws .That was before the Torx heads were used .
Timewise I think these models were replaced possibley with the three models of the 038 which stayed in the line up for many more years .Those proved to be almost bullet proof .

 

[Al Smith]

Regarding restoration I've heard some parts will interchange with 038 but have never verified that .I do know the clutch side seal and bearing are propitary ,typical Stihl tactic to attempt to control after market.I did however find the ellusive clutch side seal which is 20x35.8 x 4.However it might be a special design on the OEM .
Saying all that nothing is impossible in the world of mechanics .It just takes a lot of research and a degree of mechanical apptitude to adapt things that will work .
Now the 042 and 048 are relatvely rare so I would suggest using a richer oil,gas ratio such as 32 to 1 rather than 50-60 to 1 just for the extra lubrication if you want them to run for a long time . Facing the facts if you cook the piston/cylinder it will take a long time to find a replacement .

 

[jkierjr]

Thank you all for the insight.
I do not have the piece that broke off.
I can really remember it having the bottom handle on it while we used it.

I have been searching for another replacement tank/handle but they are obviously had to come by.
I've seen a few parts saws on ebay, just can't justify the cost.

I'm going to replace the slotted screws with torx before I put her to use again.

I'll have to check the similarities between the 048 and 038.
I've run my 038 for 2 decades.

Thanks again for the insight and stories

Jeff

 

[Bill G]

Thank you all for the insight.
I do not have the piece that broke off.
I can really remember it having the bottom handle on it while we used it.

I have been searching for another replacement tank/handle but they are obviously had to come by.
I've seen a few parts saws on ebay, just can't justify the cost.

I'm going to replace the slotted screws with torx before I put her to use again.

I'll have to check the similarities between the 048 and 038.
I've run my 038 for 2 decades.

Thanks again for the insight and stories

Jeff

I do not believe you will find many, if any, parts interchange with the 038 but download some IPLs and take a look.

 

[jacob j.]

Yeah there's not much between 038 and 048 that interchanges. As @Woodslasher mentioned, the 042/048 are kind of a unicorn saw.

 

[jkierjr]

Not saying it's a bad thing but I always seem to end up with unicorns. Just kinda want to keep the history/memories alive.

 

[Al Smith]

Out of curosity I took a peek at E-bay for 042/048 parts .Much to my surprise there were what seemed to be a lot including the seals which most likely are after market .There was at least one throttle shaft and several covers .I might note those saws had a self advancing ignition coil .Fact I had one that stayed on retard and didn't run worth a hoot .Found another from believe it or not on one of the forums .I ID it and the guy put it on e-bay and I bought it for five whole dollars . Some times you get lucky .

 

[jblnut]

I have an 048 that needs a choke lever and runs great but struggles to restart hot. I’ve moved on from it mentally and it’s all yours if you want it for parts for yours. I can send pics tomorrow if you’re interested. I hate being the guy that says I don’t know what it’s worth but I have no idea. I usually only buy saws and don’t sell them. When I buy them I pay too much …. @Bill G knows I pay too much lol

 

[Al Smith]

On the subject of parts no matter for what they are if there is a demand somebody will make them eventually .Case in point ,rebuild kits for a Bing model 48 carb .at one time the only source was Stihl and typical of the company the price was like they were gold plated .Along came Oregon and sold the bassic kits for 5 bucks .
Recently ,two companies .ProLine and Seek-Pro have a lot of parts to sell for chainsaws .Others might have parts for model A Fords ,Oliver crawler tractors and many many more .If they are out there Google will find them .