How to ID a Stihl Saw

fishobob

Afternoon folks,

Well I've inherited a saw from my Father than he hasn't used for a long long time and that is probably at least 15 or 20 years old. It's a Stihl but doesn't have a model no. anywhere on it. The serial number, or what I presume is the serial number, on it is 8 462910.

I've included some photos, please excuse the crappy iPhone quality, of the saw for your perusal.

If any of you know what model saw this is, or know how I can go about identifying it I would greatly appreciate it.

I will take it down to a Stihl shop that isn't too far away from work and get them to have a look at it and see if they think it's worth putting some money into it to get it up to scratch. As I'm currently sawless, I was thinking if I can get it up and running I'll take it camping to cut up a bit of firewood and to cut any trees that are blocking tracks...

Cheers and have a good one,
Rob

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Drouin Tree Service

Looks like a 038

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loggerBOB

038 AV or SUPER don't think its a magnum

Willard Holmen

year 1980-83- 038AV . The chainbrake lever, fuel tank, gas caps and top handle cover changed for the Super and Magnum. I have this exact same model bought new in 1980.
Willard.

fishobob

Thanks for the replies fellas! Interesting that it's 80-83, if it's an 83 it's the same age as me

So what are the general thoughts on the 038AV? Is it a good saw?

As I said I'll take it to a Stihl shop near work to get them to have a look at it and investigate the possibility of a service and repair. If it's possible and not outrageously expensive, I'll do that and I'll have gotten myself a nice old saw for camping purposes..

Cheers and thanks again

Willard Holmen

The 61cc 038AV is a very well built saw, very reliable and will go for many years if looked after. Just keep an eye on the choke shutter spring in the airfilter. They can get weak or stretched and cause the choke to partially close at full throttle. Many a saw mechanic have been stumped by this little glitch.
At the time in the early 1980s when I was logging the 61cc Jonsered 630 was the more liked saw over the 038 for production in speed and handling. But for a reliable casual firewood saw the 038 couldn't be beat.

Willard.

Saw Dr

I would look at learning how to do it yourself. As Holmen has said, that is a very good reliable saw. I suspect that a dealer will tell you it isn't worth fixing. Let me decode:

It isn't worth you PAYING someone to repair it. That saw is probably about a $200 machine ready to cut. By the time you figure in parts and time, it would make more sense for the dealer to sell you a new one.

Plan on rebuilding the carburetor and replacing the fuel line. If the filter has been sitting in old gasoline remnants, replace the filter too. You will want to check the intake boot and the impulse line. If the saw has points, you will at least want to check and clean them. Replacement is cheap and probably not a bad idea. Post up the saga here, and we'll guide you through.

fishobob

That's good to know Willard, thanks for that.

Dr Saw thanks for your advice mate. I still think I'll take it in to our local dealer and get them to have a look because they do quite a bit of work for us, and our other depots, so generally look after us. I guess you could say they are saw enthusiast's too as they have a saw museum upstairs and have lots of old saws and have done repairs on other old saws for people I know. So I'll take it to them first and see what they say.

If they say don't bother or it's going to be pricey as, well then I'll consider doing it myself or just buying a new saw. I'll post up how I go when I get around to taking it in...

Thanks again for all the advice fellas!

fishobob

An update on the saw as the shop just called me.

He's got it running and has sharpened the chain and ground the bar. He'll give it a full service and once over and will have it ready for pickup early next week. Will cost me bout ~ $100

Stoked, so for ~ $100 I've snagged myself a nice camping saw!

On another note it doesn't have a chain brake. He said he can get the parts and can add a chain brake for around $150. I've said I'll get back to him about this. Do you think it's worth while going ahead and getting a chain brake fitted for an extra ~ $150?

Cheers and have a good one,
Ron

Saw Dr

Wait for a parts saw to turn up. You can swap the parts over yourself for ALOT less than $150.

Willard Holmen

From looking at the picture the chain brake lever is still intact, but I can't see what may be missing in the brake band mechanism under the covers around the clutch drum.
If all the parts are still inside the worst case scenirio is the brake band is broken which won't cost $150. Take off the clutch cover, b/c, bar pad plate and with a torx wrench remove the plastic cover that covers the chain brake band mechanism that encircles the clutch drum.
Probably just a broken brake band , a part that may cost $25 new from Stihl.

Willard.

serialtreekiller

038 good saw 038 61.0cc 4.0 hp 038 super 66,8 cc 4.4 hp 038 magnum is the go 72.0cc 4.8 hp

fishobob

Cheers fellas.

I can't remember exactly what he said bout the chain brake and replacing it but it may have been what you suggested Willard.

Thinking about it now, I reckon he might have meant $150 in total, not just $150 for replacing the chain brake. I'll check on Monday and if that's what he meant and it's just an extra $50 to get it done, I'll go ahead with it...

Cheers and have a good weekend all,
Rob