New World Record for Assembling and Disassembling Same Saw? Or, Stihl 020's & the Men Who Hate Them

[bulletpruf]

If I had to guess, I'd say that I assembled and disassembled this saw 40x. If that's an exaggeration, it's not by much. Can anyone top this???

Here's the back story -- the saw in question is an 020AV Super with a top handle. Bought several years ago when I was in Europe; prior owner said it wasn't running well. Finally got around to going through it a few weeks ago. I don't often need a top handle saw, but landlord and I are going to take down a few large trees against the house this weekend.

Anyway, I actually started off with two saws. A top handle 020AV Super and a rear handle 020AV Super (020AV-P Super?). I don't need a tiny rear handle saw, but it was pretty clean, so I used most of the parts from it.

First issue may have been ignition. I ended up swapping over the electronic ignition from the parts saw (yes, I swapped the flywheel, too). From there, it was running, but it would cut out at high rpm. That caused several more iterations of disassembly. From there, I ended up changing crank seals; damn things are hard to find for these saws. Also changed out the plug wire.

Anyway, after that, I was having trouble with the clearance between the flywheel and the carb. I chased my tail on that for wayyyyy too long, clocking the carb differently, trying the other carb, trying the other intake boot, then ordering a new intake boot (made problem worse!), etc, etc.

From there, I reassembled it and it wasn't running right. By this time, I wasn't sure what carb was on it - the first one I rebuilt or the second one. After fiddlef*cking with it for a few hours today, finally it's running like it should!

At this point, I am confident that I can disassemble and reassemble the saw in my sleep, both hands tied behind my back, while whistling Dixie.

And I also realize why everyone runs the MS200T's these days. These old suckers aren't easy to work on.

EDIT: For those who are (thankfully?) not familiar with these saws, you have to split the saw in two to do just about anything. You're not splitting the case, but you are separating the fuel tank and starter assembly from the rest of the saw. You also need to remove the top handle to do this. In addition, in order to remove the carb, not only do you have to split the saw in two, you also need to remove the flywheel.

 

[M2theB]

If I had to guess, I'd say that I assembled and disassembled this saw 40x. If that's an exaggeration, it's not by much. Can anyone top this???

Here's the back story -- the saw in question is an 020AV Super with a top handle. Bought several years ago when I was in Europe; prior owner said it wasn't running well. Finally got around to going through it a few weeks ago. I don't often need a top handle saw, but landlord and I are going to take down a few large trees against the house this weekend.

Anyway, I actually started off with two saws. A top handle 020AV Super and a rear handle 020AV Super (020AV-P Super?). I don't need a tiny rear handle saw, but it was pretty clean, so I used most of the parts from it.

First issue may have been ignition. I ended up swapping over the electronic ignition from the parts saw (yes, I swapped the flywheel, too). From there, it was running, but it would cut out at high rpm. That caused several more iterations of disassembly. From there, I ended up changing crank seals; damn things are hard to find for these saws. Also changed out the plug wire.

Anyway, after that, I was having trouble with the clearance between the flywheel and the carb. I chased my tail on that for wayyyyy too long, clocking the carb differently, trying the other carb, trying the other intake boot, then ordering a new intake boot (made problem worse!), etc, etc.

From there, I reassembled it and it wasn't running right. By this time, I wasn't sure what carb was on it - the first one I rebuilt or the second one. After fiddlef*cking with it for a few hours today, finally it's running like it should!

At this point, I am confident that I can disassemble and reassemble the saw in my sleep, both hands tied behind my back, while whistling Dixie.

And I also realize why everyone runs the MS200T's these days. These old suckers aren't easy to work on.

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Very similar deal last summer. Coil, wire, seals…
I don’t think I got to 40 but strong into double digits.
For me it came down to using the right gasket on the metering side of the carb from the 3 to choose from in the kit.

 

[heimannm]

I work on Mini Mac saws...40 x would be an easy one...

Mark

 

[bulletpruf]

I work on Mini Mac saws...40 x would be an easy one...

Mark

I've heard horror stories about those, but haven't fooled with one yet.

 

[Clemente]

I recently purchased an 020avp (non top handle one) and it has not arrived yet. You're experiences with this saw caught my attention. I recently purchased an 020avp (non top handle one) and it has not arrived yet. So many questions: What was the final fix for clearance between carb and flywheel? Is changing the crankshaft seals difficult? What size chain and bar do you recommend? I plan on using it mainly for limbing and smaller trees.

 

[hacskaroly]

What size chain and bar do you recommend?

Depends on how long of a bar you want, but here is a 12" bar and chain for $35.00.



Forester - 12" Bar and Chain Combo - Duke's Saw Shop

 

[bulletpruf]

I recently purchased an 020avp (non top handle one) and it has not arrived yet. You're experiences with this saw caught my attention. I recently purchased an 020avp (non top handle one) and it has not arrived yet. So many questions: What was the final fix for clearance between carb and flywheel? Is changing the crankshaft seals difficult? What size chain and bar do you recommend? I plan on using it mainly for limbing and smaller trees.

I don't remember how I addressed the carb and flywheel issue. Crank seals are always a PITA for me to get out, but they go in easily enough. I usually check the owner's manual for Stihl recommendations on bar length. On the chain size, it likely has a spur sprocket, so you may just want to match that. Your other options - if you have other small Stihl saws, try to match chain size to something you already have.