sperho
ArboristSite Operative
There's a used 440 with a 25" bar and a few chains in the paper for sale for $350. I'm half-tempted to go look at it. Any advice? I've not purchased much used OPE before... Thanks.
A used Stihl 440 - a few questions
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andrethegiant70
Addicted to ArboristSite
It sure would depend on the saw. A nice 044/440 is worth $350. Its not a great price if the saw is wrung out. I'm admittedly cheap, but at $350, I'm looking for a pretty nice saw.
Dadatwins
Addicted to ArboristSite
A compression tester and a torx wrench to pull the muffler and a flashlight will help a whole lot telling if the saw is good. 4 torx screws remove the muffler cover, look at the piston and cylinder walls through the hole. Look for excessive carbon inside the muffler. Simple compression test is to hold the saw by the pull rope, if it stays up OK, drops slowly will need work. $350 a good price for a used running 044.
chainsawjunky
ArboristSite Guru
You sure about that, I would think if it stays up that means it's seized
I'm just jokin with ya
Evan
carvinmark
Addicted to ArboristSite
You sure about that, I would think if it stays up that means it's seized
Evan
LOL,glad you were jolking
chainsawjunky
ArboristSite Guru
It's good that it stays up as long as you can still pull the cord and turn it over.
Evan
sILlogger
Addicted to ArboristSite
very good chance that is a good saw...bigger saws that are advertised in local papers tend to sell much cheaper than when they are put on ebay, due to the fact that there isn't much of a local market for them, for example i was 1 day late on buying a pair(that is 2) MS660'S-one was 1 year old and the other was 2 yrs old----the price$750. i would definitely go look at it, if it is nice, buy it, put a dual port muffler cover on it, open the muffler up and run the P*SS out of it!!!
sperho
ArboristSite Operative
OK. I'll go have a look at the saw. I re-read the ad and it's really an 044. What year did the 044 become the 440? It'd be nice to be edumacated on about how old the thing has to be before taking a look at it...
2000ssm6
Stihl User
The 044 has a bigger port in the side of the muffler than the 440. If it seems to be a good saw, buy it. Get the dual port muffler cover and have it tuned. That is one bad dude when it is running right
You will love it.png "Love :heart:")
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SawTroll
Information Collector
About 2001, I believe. The 044s from before 1999 or so had a lower power rating than the newer ones, and the 440.....
Stihl User
ArboristSite Operative
044 wanted
I am looking for a 044 in excellent condition.
Will pay up to $500 depending on condition.
My cell is 862.324.6701
Dave
I am looking for a 044 in excellent condition.
Will pay up to $500 depending on condition.
My cell is 862.324.6701
Dave
sperho
ArboristSite Operative
I looked at the saw. Cosmetically, this thing has been around the block a time or two. The inside of the muffler had a film of carbon, but I wouldn't say excessive. The port had more of a crust of carbon lining it. When I held the saw by it's pullcord, it slowly fell about 16". It did not have a compression release and seemed to pull easier than my MS260 when I don't engage it's comp release (only about 15-20 tanks through it). The saw fired and seemed to run well. I put it in about 16" seasoned oak and was able to put a pretty good lean on it before it started to bog and that was with a chain nearing dull.
I did not buy the saw because of what appeared to be pretty low compression. I told him that I felt that it had fairly low compression and if someone else didn't buy it, that I'd probably pick it up as a project saw for significantly less than he was asking.
When I returned home, I held my MS260 by the pull cord and it slowly fell about 3 revs. I'm fairly sure that I've taken pretty good care of my saw, so I'm a little suspicious of this compression testing method. That said,
Questions:
What would a piston kit, etc. run me if I were to buy this saw and have problems in the not too distant future? I would do the work, if possible. Any other general advice?
2000ssm6
Stihl User
Sounds like you made a good decision. A bad looking saw is "usually" just that, not taken care of. I'm sure some of the builders/pros have a few 044 cylinders/pistons they might sell you for cheap. I want to say oem pistons and rings are "around" $100-125. They are easy to work on too.
BostonBull
Addicted to ArboristSite
Heres some choices for you:
Stihl P&C #1128 020 1227 $302.70
Stihl Piston: #1128 030 2015 $125.20
Stihl Rings #1128 034 3000 $22.15
Big Bore Kit from Baileys $109.95
Stihl P&C #1128 020 1227 $302.70
Stihl Piston: #1128 030 2015 $125.20
Stihl Rings #1128 034 3000 $22.15
Big Bore Kit from Baileys $109.95
sperho
ArboristSite Operative
How are those big bore P & C kits from Bailey's? Any good? Assuming the bottom end is in good shape then a P&C kit seems like what it would need at some point in the future? I've reworked 4-stroke motorcycle top ends, but never a two stroke. I'm a little ignorant and don't want to pay too much for a saw that might need work in a year or two...
BostonBull
Addicted to ArboristSite
The BB kits are good. Little less revs and some more TQ seems to be the consensus. I am running a modified 460BB in my 440 right now and just got 2 in for 372's. I havent installed the 372 yet, so no word on the performance of them.
I would say this might be a good route for you to go. $100 into the saw, and if a bottom end lets go in a year or two you still have a good top end for another saw.
I would say this might be a good route for you to go. $100 into the saw, and if a bottom end lets go in a year or two you still have a good top end for another saw.
Dadatwins
Addicted to ArboristSite
What did the piston and cylinder look like? The pull cord test is not an exact science but it does help for some on the spot saw inspections. I have a brand new 044 that when held by the pull cord does not move, another that is a few years old after a rebuild that drops about 1/2 turn and then hangs. The rebuild 044 runs great and since I know its history it is a great saw. Baileys sells a piston/cylinder rebuild kit for around $100.00 that works well. If the piston and cylinder are worn from use this makes a good option. A used saw purchased for $250 - 300 that just needs a top end could potentially cost $450 after a do-it-yourself rebuild, and last for many more years. If the piston and cylinder are scored from an air leak caused by a blown crank seal repair could cost a lot more and be more labor intensive. Given that a new 044/440 will probably cost over $800 new this might be a viable option. Also the 440 will be discontinued soon, parts will available for a long time, the replacement is a 441 which is a superior saw IMHO, but that is for another thread.
sperho
ArboristSite Operative
I took the muffler off and didn't see any scoring on the piston. It looked like there may have been a few scratches on the rings - there were a few shiny lines in the direction of piston movement, but other than that things seemed pretty clean. I didn't get a good look at the back cylinder wall.
BostonBull
Addicted to ArboristSite
A few shiny scratches in piston movement direction could have been oil streaks or light scoring. Go back, take a rag on the end of ascrewdriver and swipe the piston a few times..does te scoring go away?
Also take a good look at the back cylinder wall. If theres no lines back there a new piston and rings may just be the ticket!
Offer him 250 CASH.
Also take a good look at the back cylinder wall. If theres no lines back there a new piston and rings may just be the ticket!
Offer him 250 CASH.
chainsawjunky
ArboristSite Guru
I got 3 or 4 044 cylinders if you need one. You'd have to buy a hone or go have it honed(hone is 40ish from baileys and you can get one honed for around 10 at a local shop) but then you could just go get a piston kit from your dealer for around 100. PM me if you'd like one(that offer is open to everyone).
Evan
Evan
