Stihl 038 magnum for Andrew... What do they like?

[NateSaw]

That's Bryce out in St Marys Washington .Has parts measured in tonnage .

Is he on here?

 

[Al Smith]

Two more variations of the model tags .Left is a German made that spent twenty years of hard service for a tree company.I had rebuilt that thing twice since .It's came out of retirement twice since as well .To the right made in Brazil .That one I added a can of soup ,it's one of my "go to " saws

 

[Al Smith]

Is he on here?

I have no idea

 

[NateSaw]

Two more variations of the model tags .Left is a German made that spent twenty years of hard service for a tree company.I had rebuilt that thing twice since .It's came out of retirement twice since as well .To the right made in Brazil .That one I added a can of soup ,it's one of my "go to " saws

Define, can of soup...

 

[NateSaw]

I really do appreciate the almost art deco styling of these saws. I like the sweeping curves on the air cleaner cover. I've been scetching out what will be the fresh air intakes. I want to be careful to compliment that styling. I also appreciate the mag tank housing. Although, being small framed, I don't think the 038 would be my go to all around saw. It's a bit chunky. But... It feels made to last, and has proven to be.

 

[Al Smith]

Define, can of soup...

Which means in Ohio red neck slang the engine has been modified.

 

[NateSaw]

 

[NateSaw]

So yesterday, Andrew finally ran Eric's 044 I did. His response was void. He did the usual puttering of the throttle, starting the chain in the wood, begging for low and slow. I dint think he ever opened it up all the way, and as soon as that beast woke up, he'd back out. He more or less had it flooded by the time he finished bucking the tree. I've known Andrew literally my whole life... And I'm realizing he just WON'T run a saw at full throttle. I don't know why he's opposed to chain speed, but that's him. He likes grunt. In fact, I think he'd be happier if I sourced lighter clutch springs so they'd engage at idle . So, I want to rethink his build. I'm thinking later exhaust would suit him better. Shorter transfer duration as well... With all the material I have to knock off the squish and base to get the compression right, I'm thinking I can shoot for 104 exh, and still keep the blow down low enough to not have to raise the uppers much, maintaining duration. Basically, I want this to be a grunty torquer for him. Midrange would make him happier than the fire breathing screamers we all like these saws to be. Thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[NateSaw]

Edit: I stand corrected. 038 Is a torquer with earlier timing. 102,122, and 76 it is.

 

[Al Smith]

It's a matter of opinion .Some prefer to keep the exhaust long,101 or so .Some,myself raise it up a tad for RPM .If I recall my modified mag is around 96-98 opening and dead sticks at 14,500 .Runs an 8 tooth rim even on a 32" bar .What ever floats your boat I guess .Keep in mind both the uppers and lower transfer ports were reworked and it's got a raised dome piston and pumps betwwen 180-185 static .
Keep in mind an 038 AV has a hemi domed piston and an offset chamber which might act slightly differently .I really don't know myself .All I did on my AV was cut the cylinder and work on the exhaust port

 

[NateSaw]

It's a matter of opinion .Some prefer to keep the exhaust long,101 or so .Some,myself raise it up a tad for RPM .If I recall my modified mag is around 96-98 opening and dead sticks at 14,500 .Runs an 8 tooth rim even on a 32" bar .What ever floats your boat I guess .Keep in mind both the uppers and lower transfer ports were reworked and it's got a raised dome piston and pumps betwwen 180-185 static .
Keep in mind an 038 AV has a hemi domed piston and an offset chamber which might act slightly differently .I really don't know myself .All I did on my AV was cut the cylinder and work on the exhaust port

For right now, because it's in hand, this is a hiway top end...

 

[NateSaw]

Hyway... Who says you can't polish a turd?

From this...



To this...

 

[NateSaw]

The base cut down nice..
I'm liking making the mandrels out of wood. I used a maple rolling pin, turned down on the metal lathe.

 

[NateSaw]

Finally got around to some properish exhaust...

 

[NateSaw]

Finished opening the air cleaner cover, and started refinishing the plastic. I'm missing grits... 600,and 800. Turns out, this plastic can be restored.

 

[Rich Fife]

Nice job!

 

[NateSaw]

OK.... So the plastic can be restored to pretty nice.... But this laborious task will only have value when these parts are unobtanium. I recommend just buying new. Jesus christ I could have made at least 200$ in the time it took me. The dudes worth it though. I'll get to the top cover eventually.

 

[drf256]

Your rear covers are super slick.

Hopefully your plating holds up.

Aftermarket Cylinder Quality

Well… Got burned using a Hyway jug on an 028S. The original jug had some scoring, and the saw was a homeowner saw who only cut a few cords a year. I cleaned up the band on the lathe, cut base for squish, widened exhaust, raised transfers and did my best to fix the horrendous intake port...

opeforum.com

 

[NateSaw]

Your rear covers are super slick.

Hopefully your plating holds up.

Aftermarket Cylinder Quality

Well… Got burned using a Hyway jug on an 028S. The original jug had some scoring, and the saw was a homeowner saw who only cut a few cords a year. I cleaned up the band on the lathe, cut base for squish, widened exhaust, raised transfers and did my best to fix the horrendous intake port...

opeforum.com

Thanks Doc! I doubt it will man. So far.... But I doubt it will.

 

[NateSaw]

I never did update this thread.
@drf256 had hoped the plating would hold up on this Chinese jug, and it did not. In fact it didn't survive porting. A bit flaked out on the floor of one of the uppers... However... With some delicate chamfering with the diamond egg from lucky dog, I ran with it. It's been together and running surprisingly well since June. The saw has cut alot of wood and he loves it. It has plenty of grunt and moves along well with a 25" bar, 7pin 3/8 050.
I went 102/120/78. Knocked the key down 0.020". We're still looking for an oem magnum jug, as I'm certain it will make more power. I've learned more since porting this one... Thanks to all for the recipes and guidance as always!