best year of the 044? - evolution of the 044?

[royta]

What year of the 044 is the best? Which carburetor offered on the 044 is the best? What year saw and what carb would you use to build up the best 044?

What years were the different air filter housings and covers used? Look at the plastic on my saw. I have the smaller air filter cover and the air filter base goes around the on/off switch and has the right side notch for the carb screws. Then there's the larger air filter cover, where the cover itself goes around the on/off switch and has the right side notch for the carb screws. There are different air filter designs too. Which seems to the best?

One problem I can think of on my design is the flange that holds down the air filter base. It appears the previous owner dropped the saw, or something fell on it, as the flange is cracked right around the collar screw. Seems like a possible weak spot. Plus there is a small piece missing on the right side of air filter cover, which allows more sawdust than usual to reach the air filter.

I looked at an MS460 yesterday, and it had a black rubber piece that fit between the air filter base and the cylinder cover. It fit into the two grooves on the top of the gas tank. My saw does not have that rubber piece, but I also have the newer style gas tank where the original one on this saw may not have had the grooves.

When did Stihl start using the smaller port on the muffler? The larger port was 9/16", correct? Did the saws with the larger port probably also have different carbs?

I'd love to hear a list of the changes, and what years the changes were made, on these 044 saws.

 

[Lakeside53]

Not sure what you mean by the "smaller" air filter cover.. That is the correct filter cover for the HD filter system, and is the best system.

Yes, if you drop your saw on the filter cover, you can crack the post mount.

Older saws had different carbs, but they aren't necessarily better. The later carbs do just fine, and are better in many respects with partial power (limbing). etc. The limiter caps aren't really an issue - just reset them if you are worried.

The muffler hole certainly changed...

 

[GASoline71]

The muffler hole certainly changed...

I have an older (1990-1991) 044 that has a huge stock exhaust hole in the stock muffler.

Gary

 

[royta]

Not sure what you mean by the "smaller" air filter cover.. That is the correct filter cover for the HD filter system, and is the best system.

I probably should have said, "shorter from top to bottom".

Older saws had different carbs, but they aren't necessarily better. The later carbs do just fine, and are better in many respects with partial power (limbing). etc. The limiter caps aren't really an issue - just reset them if you are worried.

The muffler hole certainly changed...

It sounds like the best 044's are the later '90's and early '00's then, as long as you open the muffler. You get the better air filter system and the better part throttle carb. Just open up the muffler, richen the H needle, and you'll have the best 044 ever, right?

 

[scottr]

I have an older (1990-1991) 044 that has a huge stock exhaust hole in the stock muffler.

Gary

Gary , would that be around 3/4" diameter ?

 

[Lakeside53]

I probably should have said, "shorter from top to bottom".



It sounds like the best 044's are the later '90's and early '00's then, as long as you open the muffler. You get the better air filter system and the better part throttle carb. Just open up the muffler, richen the H needle, and you'll have the best 044 ever, right?

yep

 

[tek9tim]

The only 044 air filter cover that goes over the handle is on the non-hd air filter setup. Otherwise, you're thinking of the 046. I've seen a lot of Zama carbs crap the bed, but it's probably more related to the age based on the era they were put into 044s. You complain about how there's a bit missing from your air cleaner cover, the early 044s didn't even have that little flange on the covers.

I agree, the plastic tag 044s are my favorite, mod the muffler, file the limiter caps and give 'er.

 

[FSburt]

044 with a scored piston and cylinder

Hey Tim I have a 044 with a serial # starting with 143 do you know if this is an older Stihl and from what yr and can I put the big bore kit on it? Thanks

 

[royta]

Hey Tim I have a 044 with a serial # starting with 143 do you know if this is an older Stihl and from what yr and can I put the big bore kit on it? Thanks

I'm not Tim, but I can tell you that you're saw has the 12mm wrist pin and can take the big bore kit. You're saw is a 1999 model. LINK

According to the 044 IPL, saws from S/N 129583702 and on have the 12mm wrist pin and can take the big bore kit.

 

[FSburt]

Thanks for the reply Royta.

 

[tek9tim]

Hey Tim I have a 044 with a serial # starting with 143 do you know if this is an older Stihl and from what yr and can I put the big bore kit on it? Thanks

I'm not certain on year, but should be late 90's, should be of the age I like. Definitely eligible for a big bore, it was back around 129 that they switched over to the 12mm pin.

wow, I should really read ALL of the posts before replying.

 

[royta]

I'm not certain on year, but should be late 90's, should be of the age I like. Definitely eligible for a big bore, it was back around 129 that they switched over to the 12mm pin.

wow, I should really read ALL of the posts before replying.

LOL. That last sentence is funny.

 

[SawTroll]

Probably right after the redesign and .2 kW increase in 1999 or so....

 

[Freakingstang]

I don't know`what the best year is, but my older 044 that was`stolen was `one of my favorites

 

[chainsawjunky]

anyone know what a year a 150 044 would be from? Evan