It's Stihl 044 time

[redline4]

Root around in here like the honey badger until you locate the spring and pawl.


Remove the spring, E clip and lever
Pull the limiter buffer out
and pop the AV buffers from the case

 

[redline4]

I get out my trusty rubber hammer, which I have had to epoxy the head back onto...
And my heat gun.

I heat the case around the bearing until you get that nice bar oil, sawdust burning stank..
If it just stinks, keep heating, it's got to be the stank..

I wear my welding gloves during this to keep my hand model status legit

Once I achieved full stank and gave the crank a whack with my mallet, in an interesting twist, the pto side bearing decided to come out vs the side I was heating.
Whatever. We'll just go with it.

 

[redline4]

The pto side crank bushing also came off during this.


Here's the bearing that was in there.


And the crank still in the flywheel side

 

[Loony661]

I’d like to add that when I disassemble saws like this, if I’m not pressed for time, I will blast the crud off with a garden hose, let dry overnight, and continue in the morning. Makes for a much more enjoyable time removing the oil pump and brake parts. Of course it doesn’t get it all, but it certainly helps to remove the bulk and make life easier.

 

[redline4]

Some more heat..

And there's the crank

And here it is


I bagged stuff to keep it together and loaded it up to take with me to work where I'll clean it up over the week on my lunch hour.


Now I just need to make a list of needed items, order some stuff, have my people call some peoples people about stuff and once it's scrubbed up begin the going back together process.

 

[Stump Shot]

@redline4 I have a used AM clutch, which is good as a new OEM, I could sell you for, lets say, oh, around $50.00...

 

[redline4]

@redline4 I have a used AM clutch, which is good as a new OEM, I could sell you for, lets say, oh, around $50.00...

Even swap for some 40 grit cylinder base services?

 

[Mastermind]

If one delves deep into internet 2 stroke garden tool lore one will hear of the Stihl 044.
According to ancient scrolls it houses mythical tree killing capabilites and human healing powers.

I've never even pulled a start rope on one much less made a cut, but figured it's finally time.

Bear in mind I'm not a trained professional in any aspect and I fully expect Dallas to tell me I'm a slacker multiple times before this is over.
Available time, money and parts availability will dictate the speed of this build.

I have no set direction other than get it going without breaking the bank.
If it's a good part, it will get re-used.
If it's repairable, it will get repaired.

So here we go.

Starting out with a grungy, west coast 044.


View attachment 368325View attachment 368326

The wrap appears bent and the tank is definitely tweaked. We'll get a better look at that later
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A quick spray down with degreaser and hit it with the garden hose.
View attachment 368328

Nice saw. And these detailed threads are great BTW.

I don't know if I'll be able to do anything about this tank, but I'm going to try to salvage it...
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Remove the coil
View attachment 368400

Remove the intake

View attachment 368401

Absolutely fixable. I've used stiff wire for reinforcement, and JB Weld.

And some jug pics.
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I'll get a better look at it tomorrow

That's all for tonight.

Easy clean up there.

 

[Stump Shot]

Even swap for some 40 grit cylinder base services?
View attachment 368484View attachment 368485

Done deal

 

[Scotty Overkill]

Great thread my friend! I love the combination of comedy and seriousness of each detailed step.....kinda feels like my wife talking me through dealing with my 18yr old daughter.....lmfao.....

I just went through nearly this exact process with my 10mm 044 build. It was way rougher than yours but came out amazing.





On a serious note, can anyone out there confirm or debunk what I've believed to be the case for several years now regarding the difference in bottom end volume between the 10mm and 12mm crankcases? It seems to me that the case volume most certainly is different, but I've never actually did a liquid volume measurement of these cases. I'd love to be able to do a test to either confirm or debunk my suspicions.

In my past several 044 builds, I've installed 12mm crank assys into 10mm cases. It's fairly simple, but you do have to groove a channel where the connecting rod makes its rotation during the crank stroke. Me, being of a long lineage of redneck background, I used a small round carbide burr and made a very alight groove that allows the rod to clear during the stroke. The groove is big enough that it won't interfere with the conn rod even considering expansion from heat.

The most recent one I've built has impressive power. The transfer lowers and throats were open up and swaged out, took the base down to .018 clearance at TDC, bumped the timing a few degrees north and DP'd the muff, it's probably one of my favorite dailies already!!

 

[Mastermind]

Great thread my friend! I love the combination of comedy and seriousness of each detailed step.....kinda feels like my wife talking me through dealing with my 18yr old daughter.....lmfao.....

I just went through nearly this exact process with my 10mm 044 build. It was way rougher than yours but came out amazing.

View attachment 368488

View attachment 368489

On a serious note, can anyone out there confirm or debunk what I've believed to be the case for several years now regarding the difference in bottom end volume between the 10mm and 12mm crankcases? It seems to me that the case volume most certainly is different, but I've never actually did a liquid volume measurement of these cases. I'd love to be able to do a test to either confirm or debunk my suspicions.

In my past several 044 builds, I've installed 12mm crank assys into 10mm cases. It's fairly simple, but you do have to groove a channel where the connecting rod makes its rotation during the crank stroke. Me, being of a long lineage of redneck background, I used a small round carbide burr and made a very alight groove that allows the rod to clear during the stroke. The groove is big enough that it won't interfere with the conn rod even considering expansion from heat.

The most recent one I've built has impressive power. The transfer lowers and throats were open up and swaged out, took the base down to .018 clearance at TDC, bumped the timing a few degrees north and DP'd the muff, it's probably one of my favorite dailies already!!

View attachment 368486

View attachment 368487

You know that the 10mm case is smaller my friend. If not, you wouldn't need to grind out that groove to run a 12mm crank in it.

 

[Scotty Overkill]

You know that the 10mm case is smaller my friend. If not, you wouldn't need to grind out that groove to run a 12mm crank in it.

Yes sir, boss. It's most definitely smaller. What I'm getting at (I'm not always the greatest at wording my thoughts sometimes) is how significant is the difference in volume. Does that difference equate to a "supercharged" effect?

 

[redline4]

Done deal
View attachment 368490

Bases and squish bands..boyeee

 

[Mastermind]

Yes sir, boss. It's most definitely smaller. What I'm getting at (I'm not always the greatest at wording my thoughts sometimes) is how significant is the difference in volume. Does that difference equate to a "supercharged" effect?

I can't say for sure....but I know that that best running 044s I've ever built are the ones with a 12mm crank in a 10mm case.

 

[Mastermind]

I'd like to use stuffers in an 044.

 

[redline4]

I'd like to use stuffers in an 044.

Did Stihl ever use them in anything?

 

[Mastermind]

Did Stihl ever use them in anything?

Not that I'm aware of.

 

[redline4]

Now I almost want to see if some Husqvarna ones can be adapted to fit just to irritate Dallas.

 

[beaglebriar]

Nicely detailed thread Ed. I too have an ohh44 scattered across the bench at the moment. Actually parts of it are buzzing in the USC.

 

[Scotty Overkill]

I can't say for sure....but I know that that best running 044s I've ever built are the ones with a 12mm crank in a 10mm case.

That sounds like the confirmation I've been looking for sir. You've got way more experience than me! Thanks for chatting Randy, hope yinz are all well down there on the farm.