031 AV age?

[Homer6679]

Hey y’all,

Just got the 031AV I picked up a week ago or so all cleaned up and it is an awesome runner. I was wondering the age of the saw? I know the ones that say “Made in West Germany” are older but I was curious if there was a more accurate way to date older stihl saws. The serial is E6678333. Also how does the 031 compare to say the 032/034 and 036?

 

[HarleyT]

Hey y’all,

Just got the 031AV I picked up a week ago or so all cleaned up and it is an awesome runner. I was wondering the age of the saw? I know the ones that say “Made in West Germany” are older but I was curious if there was a more accurate way to date older stihl saws. The serial is E6678333. Also how does the 031 compare to say the 032/034 and 036?

There was a change early on where they added the extra screw and tab to the starter, but I am not sure when. So yours is newer.

 

[HarleyT]

Here is a pic off of E-bay of one of the old ones.

 

[flatsfisher]

there is a website that has a Stihl date of production calculator that claims to be within 1 year accuracy. I put in your serial number, and it came up 1977. give or take a year.

 

[Homer6679]

Right on, thanks for the info. How does the 031 compare to let’s say the 034 and 036?

 

[flatsfisher]

031 is 48cc and 14.5lb powerhead. 036 is 61.5cc and 12.5 lb powerhead so quite a big difference in power and weight.

 

[vtfireman85]

Those are nice saws, i had 3 of them, 2 runners and I think one had a chain brake, but I might be wrong about that. They all were my grandfathers, and all had been bought used. I traded all 3 for a Husqvarna 385XP in 2004 when i got out of college. I wish i had one for nostalgia, i remember them being kind of heavy and slow, but they did the job and did so reliably. Sticks in mind they had 18” bars.

 

[MudgeHollowBeaver]

Good reliable saws. I have 2 plus a parts saw that have kept me in firewood for over 30 years now. NOS parts are getting scarce. New molded rubber lines and vibration mounts are available through Farmertc/Huztl. I got some piston rings on Ebay from a supplier in Greece.

 

[HarleyT]

Those are nice saws, i had 3 of them, 2 runners and I think one had a chain brake, but I might be wrong about that. They all were my grandfathers, and all had been bought used. I traded all 3 for a Husqvarna 385XP in 2004 when i got out of college. I wish i had one for nostalgia, i remember them being kind of heavy and slow, but they did the job and did so reliably. Sticks in mind they had 18” bars.

I like them heavy and slow!!
Easier to catch!!

 

[vtfireman85]

I like them heavy and slow!!
Easier to catch!!
View attachment 1014560

You would like my SIL, shes an eye full.. truck full, train full

 

[HarleyT]

I like the ones that the back of their neck looks like a pack of hotdogs!

 

[Isidro]

I owned a number of 031s and they are great, but by todays standard they are heavy. I use a 16" bar and it rarely bogs down. Keep the chain sharp, well oiled, and non ethanol gas, that saw will out last you.