Can I convert an 028 to side tension?

[Woodslasher]

CF

I’ve just acquired an 038 magnum which I love except for front chain tensioner so your posts interest me gratekt

My side cover comes with the slot to place the screw driver but no actual mechanism to tension the chain.



What did you end up doing ?

I’d really like to get side tensioning working as it makes a lot of sense. The front tensioner is very annoying.

Pull the bar and bar plate and take a pic of what's there and we should be able to see if it can be converted.

 

[rmhrc]

Here you go.

 

[Wood Doctor]

Looks like a good old front tensioning system with no gears to get messed up. It wil last forever, so I suggest that you go with what you already have. Cheers!

 

[Woodslasher]

Here you go.

Short of buying another case half or doing some serious machine work there's no way to convert that saw to a side tensioner.

 

[rmhrc]

Short of buying another case half or doing some serious machine work there's no way to convert that saw to a side tensioner.

Thanks WS.

Did the 038 magnum ever have a lateral tensioner from the factory?

I may just invest in a longer screwdriver

 

[Wood Doctor]

This one never did:
I sold mine in 2015 after buying it new in 1992. I really liked this saw and it has been around since 1980. Good luck!

 

[Mad Professor]

Thanks WS.

Did the 038 magnum ever have a lateral tensioner from the factory?

I may just invest in a longer screwdriver

I think the MS380/381 did?

 

[rmhrc]

This one never did:
View attachment 997035I sold mine in 2015 after buying it new in 1992. I really liked this saw and it has been around since 1980. Good luck!

So weird how the outer case has a hole in it for being able to adjust a lateral tensioner.

Wonder why stihl didn’t go all the way

 

[rmhrc]

I think the MS380/381 did?

Would an ms380 engine side case fit my magnum ?

 

[Duane(Pa)]

So weird how the outer case has a hole in it for being able to adjust a lateral tensioner.

Wonder why stihl didn’t go all the way

That clutch cover fits dozens of Stihl saws. It may not be what originally came on the saw...