Stihl 038 Magnum II on the market

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adamrjones77

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I've realized this is way more saw than I need for my firewood use so it's going on the market. Not sure of the year it was made but the recoil cover shows it's German made.

Piston and cylinder are beautiful. The Bing carb has recently been flooding so I've got a Tillotson replacement on the way.

It registers 145psi on the gauge. Has a 24" bar with fairly new chain. No cracks on the tank and the fuel line doesn't seep.

These things are going anywhere from $375-750 on eBay. I think $750 is a strong stretch out of bounds but I don't see $500 being too difficult to obtain.

What's the opinion of the experts?
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I saw a 038 magnum tonight for 500 on ebay looked almost new. Looking at urs I'd say probably somewhere in the 300 to 400 range. Just a few months ago I saw one in about the same condition sell for less than 200. The market changes a lot. I wish I would have picked up that one. I check regularly for 038 magnums because I want one... but the right one for the right price.
 
I saw a 038 magnum tonight for 500 on ebay looked almost new. Looking at urs I'd say probably somewhere in the 300 to 400 range. Just a few months ago I saw one in about the same condition sell for less than 200. The market changes a lot. I wish I would have picked up that one. I check regularly for 038 magnums because I want one... but the right one for the right price.

I've been watching eBay and the prices seem to be for the powerhead only. This bar and chain must be worth something


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What's beautiful? All shiny and clean looking or still factory fresh with visible horizontal machine marks top to bottom? Pic?
That compression is low enough to call it a tired saw in need of a rebuild if the reading is correct.

By the pictures you can see that it's a well loved saw so factory fresh is out the window. It's clean and shiny without scoring.

Per my experience and research, 145psi is well within the limits of a good functioning saw. I own 16 saws and not a one registers over 150psi and they all run and cut beautifully without any indication of failure.


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Well that being said my 290 started and ran and cut great with a scored piston. I only noticed it when I took the muffler off to see about modification.

How much did you want for it?
 
By the pictures you can see that it's a well loved saw so factory fresh is out the window. It's clean and shiny without scoring.

Per my experience and research, 145psi is well within the limits of a good functioning saw. I own 16 saws and not a one registers over 150psi and they all run and cut beautifully without any indication of failure.


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Hey you're the expert here.
But just for chits and giggles there are saws that are engineered to run 120 and there are others engineered to run at 180.
 
Hey you're the expert here.
But just for chits and giggles there are saws that are engineered to run 120 and there are others engineered to run at 180.



I'm no expert. I'm a novice at best. I wasn't trying to be smart. Just giving reason.

Could be my tester. I think it came from Autozone. I went through 2 cheap ones from HF and this one from Autozone has been the most consistent. This is my 2nd 038 and both hit right 145psi cold and run strong

Reckon I need to invest in a quality tester. Got any suggestions? Or do I just need to do hot compression testing?


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Well that being said my 290 started and ran and cut great with a scored piston. I only noticed it when I took the muffler off to see about modification.

How much did you want for it?

Let me get this Tilly carb put on it, tune it, and run it through a few cuts. I'll let ya know.


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What's beautiful? All shiny and clean looking or still factory fresh with visible horizontal machine marks top to bottom? Pic?
That compression is low enough to call it a tired saw in need of a rebuild if the reading is correct.
Depends on altitude. About 3% loss per 1000 feet
 
Depends on altitude. About 3% loss per 1000 feet
By saying "if the reading is correct" I left myself room to be wrong about it.
Does he live in a lodge on a mountain overlooking Denver? Probably not. But it would be better to ask him what his elevation is so you can figure out if that's the case.

Man I'm not a keyboard masseuse. The best I can do is proofread out all the cuss words and edit it to be as polite as my computer illiterate ass can be. Getting to the point usually makes it hard to sound all pink and fluffy. Lol
And I hate using those little modern cartoon hieroglyphics to prove I'm being nice. Emogeez... whatever. It mostly just feels too weird, but I still try.
 
I bought a fairly good 038 Magnum for $375 shipped several months ago. Used but not abused. West Germany made. Compression is 158. Came with bar and chain.

$500 sounds strong for what you have. BTW - I thought Magnum II's were made in Brazil?

Good luck with the sale.
 
Over here in the UK I think I will struggle to make £250 for this if eBay sales are anything to go by.. It is in v.good condition and runs like a champ.. The only things that let it down are the AM top covers..
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By saying "if the reading is correct" I left myself room to be wrong about it.
Does he live in a lodge on a mountain overlooking Denver? Probably not. But it would be better to ask him what his elevation is so you can figure out if that's the case.

Man I'm not a keyboard masseuse. The best I can do is proofread out all the cuss words and edit it to be as polite as my computer illiterate ass can be. Getting to the point usually makes it hard to sound all pink and fluffy. Lol
And I hate using those little modern cartoon hieroglyphics to prove I'm being nice. Emogeez... whatever. It mostly just feels too weird, but I still try.

:confused:
 
I bought a fairly good 038 Magnum for $375 shipped several months ago. Used but not abused. West Germany made. Compression is 158. Came with bar and chain.

$500 sounds strong for what you have. BTW - I thought Magnum II's were made in Brazil?

Good luck with the sale.

The recoil cover says "Made in West Germany" but I realize those can be swapped. However, it is my understanding the 038 Magnums were Brazilian made and the Mag II's were German made. I got that from the internet so it's gotta be true.


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I didn't think the compression was unreasonable just the general over all condition based on prices in the past and present is where I came up with my estimate. Don't think it was acceptable though...
 
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