New saw or Mod????

[jakethesnake]

Are you mechanically sound? If you can tinker just a little saws aren’t too terrible to work on. I personally only buy used. Simply for cost reasons. I built my second 272 myself. Might be a second possibility if you’re willing to put one together. Someone may have enough parts.

mid the price was right for that 440 though that’s the route I’d take

 

[pwheel]

...Came across a used MS440 Mag last night trying to meet with the guy today

The ms440 used to be the firewood saw of choice up here in NE. My only quibble is the oil pump design with a gooseneck that's difficult to remove; otherwise, it's easy to work on and a hot rod in wood.

 

[HuskyHead]

So I took the plunge and purchased the 440. $400 PHO. Didn’t think it was a bad price, new carb. Anything I should check over before running it? Also I post a better pic later.

 

[USMC615]

So I took the plunge and purchased the 440. $400 PHO. Didn’t think it was a bad price, new carb. Anything I should check over before running it? Also I post a better pic later.

Did good!

 

[Czed]

So I took the plunge and purchased the 440. $400 PHO. Didn’t think it was a bad price, new carb. Anything I should check over before running it? Also I post a better pic later.

Good deal
Tear it down and clean it thoroughly
This 044 is in very good condition
But was absolutely filthy under the covers
Check intake and fuel/pulse line's
For cracks
I always flush out the fuel and oil tanks on any saw
A lot of debris collect there
Pull the muffler and check piston condition.

 

[Johnmn]

Good deal
Tear it down and clean it thoroughly
This 044 is in very good conditionView attachment 299284
But was absolutely filthy under the covers
Check intake and fuel/pulse line's
For cracks
I always flush out the fuel and oil tanks on any saw
A lot of debris collect there
Pull the muffler and check piston condition.

Nice looking pair of saws!

 

[Czed]

Nice looking pair of saws!

The 266 walked all over that 044
And is over 2 pounds lighter

 

[Woodslasher]

The 266 walked all over that 044
And is over 2 pounds lighter

Well duh! That 029 fuel cap on the 044 drops the hp levels by at least 10%

 

[pwheel]

So I took the plunge and purchased the 440. $400 PHO. Didn’t think it was a bad price, new carb. Anything I should check over before running it?

Used saws typically require more maintenance at first unless you get lucky.
Clean exposed metal with compressed air, especially the cylinder fins, flywheel fins/ignition module, recoil cover, the case under the muffler, and between the cylinder and fuel tank. Crud traps heat.
Check the tune. 13,500 rpm max high speed with a tach, or 4-cycle changing to 2-cycle in the cut. The idle is typically rough on a 440 because of the light flywheel, but if it idles without stalling or spinning the chain, that's ok. With a sharp chain, a 440 should cut wood with a vengeance if the top end is ok.
New fuel filter, spark plug & Stihl HD2 air filter if it doesn't have one.
Remove the clutch drum and clean/lubricate the needle bearing.
Check fasteners for tightness, particularly the one connecting the top cover to the cylinder. Too much torque can pop the boss on the cylinder. Not enough and the screw can vibrate loose and mess up the threads.
Listen while the saw is decelerating; no metal or bearing noise.
Find a parts and service manual. You'll need them sooner or later. PM me if you can't find them online.

 

[HuskyHead]

Used saws typically require more maintenance at first unless you get lucky.
Clean exposed metal with compressed air, especially the cylinder fins, flywheel fins/ignition module, recoil cover, the case under the muffler, and between the cylinder and fuel tank. Crud traps heat.
Check the tune. 13,500 rpm max high speed with a tach, or 4-cycle changing to 2-cycle in the cut. The idle is typically rough on a 440 because of the light flywheel, but if it idles without stalling or spinning the chain, that's ok. With a sharp chain, a 440 should cut wood with a vengeance if the top end is ok.
New fuel filter, spark plug & Stihl HD2 air filter if it doesn't have one.
Remove the clutch drum and clean/lubricate the needle bearing.
Check fasteners for tightness, particularly the one connecting the top cover to the cylinder. Too much torque can pop the boss on the cylinder. Not enough and the screw can vibrate loose and mess up the threads.
Listen while the saw is accelerating; no metal or bearing noise.
Find a parts and service manual. You'll need them sooner or later. PM me if you can't find them online.

Yea the saw definitely needs a good cleaning. I will have to do my best to drag up my tuning days from messing with dirt bikes. Think there is a good YouTube video on the noises you’re referring to with the bearing noise? I’ll try to get a video of the saw running and post it.

 

[ElevatorGuy]

Send the 440 to @huskihl for a cleaning and extra snasages!

 

[Sagebrush33]

I am not brand specific. I never was although the majority of my work is done with Stihls. Mostly because of their large dealer network. A huge advantage when your far from home and working in another town. There is always a dealer not terribly far.
That said, the 440 is my all time favorite saw. It's gone round after round with me since I got it new in '02 or '03.
It's currently down and needs case bearings. I've collected all new OEM parts for her but let myself get sidetracked with other girls.
She's awaiting patiently. I've decided to powdercoat her back to new too.

Take care of your 440 from the get go. Break her right down and give her, or have it done, all the love she needs while parts are still readily available. You're going to love that 440.

 

[jakethesnake]

Sweet saw man. I dig it. You’re like the first new guy that listened to good advice congratulations sir.

 

[Fifelaker]

I bought my 440 new and ran the snot out of it for years, new bearings,seals piston ...... Then it took a ride to sausage land and got stuffed, it is now a completely different animal.

 

[pwheel]

Yea the saw definitely needs a good cleaning. I will have to do my best to drag up my tuning days from messing with dirt bikes. Think there is a good YouTube video on the noises you’re referring to with the bearing noise?

I should have said that a bad bearing might be heard when the saw is decelerating; at least that's when I heard it. Anyway, unless you hear something strange that you can't identify, not to worry. The 1128 chassis is pretty rugged.

 

[NPKenny]

50cc and 70cc pro saws are just a great combo. I, like many, started with a 60cc pro saw and nearly never use it anymore.

Keep your eyes open for a top-handle saw next!

 

[HuskyHead]

50cc and 70cc pro saws are just a great combo. I, like many, started with a 60cc pro saw and nearly never use it anymore.

Keep your eyes open for a top-handle saw next!

Yea I definitely want one! I got climbing gear from some of my coworkers in the line department(power utility). Th guy, if I am not mistaken, was trying to sell a 200T and I know he also has a 026. He was selling off all his Stihl stuff since he just went and bought all new Husky stuff.

 

[HuskyHead]

Sweet saw man. I dig it. You’re like the first new guy that listened to good advice congratulations sir.

I try to listen and take advice.

 

[HuskyHead]

Send the 440 to @huskihl for a cleaning and extra snasages!

Yea I’ll have to look into it, I haven’t even ran it yet and already dreaming up things to add and how to mod it….. It’s all this forum’s fault.

 

[drf256]

The 440’s do run really well with the classic mod’s that Mustang Mike is famous for.

Base gasket delete with suitable sealant. A muffler mod and timing advance. If you have a buddy with a lathe, cut the band like .010 just to clean it up and the base to get to .020 squish. Advance timing .025 off key. A nice deflector on the flywheel side of the muffler can that the brake won’t hit. You’ll be a happy man.

Or strike a deal with the sausage man for a full split and port job, but that does get pricey.