I've been wanting to do something like this for awhile. I finally came up with a great combination that will work. The saw is a 46cc Craftsman that I put a ported 72cc top end from a Stihl 038 Mag. 
The Craftsman actually has a mag case, pro style cylinder, adjustable oiler, good av, light and compact. In my opinion, the Craftsman is built much like an 026. Same style case, covers, handles and tank. I've been working on this saw on and off for the last few weeks. I finally got it finished today. I plan on using this saw as my go-to firewood saw. I took it out to the woods and ran almost 2 tanks through it... filling the truck up with firewood. It was a treat to run... what's not to like about an 11lb 12oz 72cc saw.
I know several of you are thinking..... will it hold up? I think it will. Poulan used the same crank, bearings etc. on their 60cc saws. It never missed a lick today, I had the 20" bar buried several times. I plan on using it as much as possible the next few weeks to put it through the test. There's only one way to find out if it will hold together... that's by running the heck out of it. So far the simple 2 shoe clutch is working fine, but a heavier 3 shoe is available if needed.
The saw preforms great so far. Compared to the 038 Mag, the Craftsman has a smaller case volume, lighter flywheel, lighter crank and lighter clutch... making it very responsive and spools up quick. And only 1/2 the weight of an 038 Mag.
My goal was to take a below average saw and turn it into something that will turn heads. Using all the original covers and such. Keeping it 100% stock appearing.
The Craftsman before the transplant
The Craftsman actually has a mag case, pro style cylinder, adjustable oiler, good av, light and compact. In my opinion, the Craftsman is built much like an 026. Same style case, covers, handles and tank. I've been working on this saw on and off for the last few weeks. I finally got it finished today. I plan on using this saw as my go-to firewood saw. I took it out to the woods and ran almost 2 tanks through it... filling the truck up with firewood. It was a treat to run... what's not to like about an 11lb 12oz 72cc saw.
I know several of you are thinking..... will it hold up? I think it will. Poulan used the same crank, bearings etc. on their 60cc saws. It never missed a lick today, I had the 20" bar buried several times. I plan on using it as much as possible the next few weeks to put it through the test. There's only one way to find out if it will hold together... that's by running the heck out of it. So far the simple 2 shoe clutch is working fine, but a heavier 3 shoe is available if needed.
The saw preforms great so far. Compared to the 038 Mag, the Craftsman has a smaller case volume, lighter flywheel, lighter crank and lighter clutch... making it very responsive and spools up quick. And only 1/2 the weight of an 038 Mag.
My goal was to take a below average saw and turn it into something that will turn heads. Using all the original covers and such. Keeping it 100% stock appearing.
The Craftsman before the transplant
