First ever rebuild: Stihl 038magnum?

[Manofstihl661]

Yea.. cover the exhaust and intake and blast it with compressed air.

Awesome I’ll give it all a good wipe down then blast it best I can

 

[Manofstihl661]

Well I started cleaning and thought...I don’t remember ever looking in the intake side of the jug...

Guess this thread is dead quicker than it started...

As soon as I had to remove a strange piece of metal from the boot i knew it wasn’t going to be good. Looked in and knew where it came from immediately and decided cleaning the saw was useless so I pulled the jug. Guess I have a few parts maybe that I could dish out but other than that I’ll just practice taking it apart I guess.

 

[Moparmyway]

What’s the diameter of the piston or the bore ?

 

[Manofstihl661]

Cylinder doesn’t seem bad...maybe? I don’t feel anything besides the dark colored area which I’d assume is carbon deposit? Maybe it could be saved for if I find a better specimen later? I’ll get measurements and numbers in a second. Also a picture down around the crank coming.

 

[Manofstihl661]

What’s the diameter of the piston or the bore ?

Appears to be a 51mm bore

 

[Manofstihl661]

51.75 or so...so maybe 52 since my calipers were bought off amazon and either way probably have some leeway

 

[Manofstihl661]

 

[qurotro]

That's kinda odd damage... Lucky enough 52mm 038 psiton is easy to find.. Yes the cylinder is good.

 

[Manofstihl661]

That's kinda odd damage... Lucky enough 52mm 038 psiton is easy to find.. Yes the cylinder is good.

I thought so too but I dont have much experience. I thought with the piston seemingly being destroyed it would have scarred up the cylinder at least too.

 

[Wolverine]

For some reason, your pics aren't loading for me.

Do you have any previous experience with an 038mag? I rebuilt and flipped one a few years ago. It was a turd stock. Boat anchor weight and 60cc performance in a 72cc package. My ported 56.5 cc would rip it a new azzhole so after that I've never understood the lure of these saws.
This is how I bought it. Using the MM method of transfer removal, it cleaned right up.

After:

 

[Wolverine]

Oh wow, just saw pics of the bottom. Not looking good. I was guessing you had transfer on the cyl.

 

[Moparmyway]

I’d split the case, inspect the crank/rod real good. If it checks out, install new bearings and seals.

Let’s see what you decide to do with it, have you ever split a case before ?

 

[Manofstihl661]

I’d split the case, inspect the crank/rod real good. If it checks out, install new bearings and seals.

Let’s see what you decide to do with it, have you ever split a case before ?

Never split a case. So if anything I may go through the motion on it to an extent to get the experience of it. Then if anything I have spare parts for later and could find another builder or a runner or who knows. But I want to go through and learn how to check things and them apart at least if that makes sense

 

[Manofstihl661]

For some reason, your pics aren't loading for me.

Do you have any previous experience with an 038mag? I rebuilt and flipped one a few years ago. It was a turd stock. Boat anchor weight and 60cc performance in a 72cc package. My ported 56.5 cc would rip it a new azzhole so after that I've never understood the lure of these saws.
This is how I bought it. Using the MM method of transfer removal, it cleaned right up.

No previous experience with one but I’ve always heard good things actually.

 

[Al Smith]

Don't listen to any negativity about an 038 Mag because you can add some soup to them if you know how .Those Mahle cylinders are tough .I rebuilt one with a grenaded piston worse than that one and the cylinder didn't have as much as a dent in it . Even stock they do very well .The one I rebuilt had served over 20 hard years of service for a tree company and ten more after I rebuilt it and it was given to me .
That one is pretty funky inside .Soak it in a bucket of kerosene for a while to get all that sludge and crude off it .
Parts for the 038 mag are relatively inexpensive and pletifull in both OEM and after market .--good luck

 

[Manofstihl661]

Don't listen to any negativity about an 038 Mag because you can add some soup to them if you know how .Those Mahle cylinders are tough .I rebuilt one with a grenaded piston worse than that one and the cylinder didn't have as much as a dent in it . Even stock they do very well .The one I rebuilt had served over 20 hard years of service for a tree company and ten more after I rebuilt it and it was given to me .
That one is pretty funky inside .Soak it in a bucket of kerosene for a while to get all that sludge and crude off it .
Parts for the 038 mag are relatively inexpensive and pletifull in both OEM and after market .--good luck

I appreciate the encouragement. I’m keeping an eye out for parts saws and such to supplement this one. It’ll be a long journey but eventually I’ll get it done

 

[qurotro]

038s are tough though they are heavy. I've seen guys ran diesel motor oil as a mix in them all day long without blowing it up.

 

[Al Smith]

About a pound more than a 372 Husky or an 044 Stihl .These thing have some meat on their bones ,made for the long haul .

 

[Al Smith]

Seriously if anything a pound or two doesn't make any difference and if anything bucking on the ground is a help .You just hit the gas and it eats it's way right through .No hooking a dog and leaning on it hard .Fact I did two 15" maple logs yesterday with a souped 038 mag in almost no time at all . Just let -er-rip and move it along at about 16" apart .Roll it over with a cant hook and cut them all loose in a flash .Done--put the saw away and drink beer .There was about a face cord in those two logs and it took me maybe 15 minutes .Not bad for an old retired fart

 

[OC455]

So, how did this turn out or is it on the back burner?