Differences between Stihl 036 and MS360, etc

[Naked Arborist]

I think the MS361 is a LOT better than the 036Pro. Better air filter, better working master control switch, more cutting power, easier disassembly, better anti-vibe. The muffler needs to be opened up, (quite a bit of work), but well worth the effort!

OC is spot on about that. I have run and owned 036 036 pro 360 360 pro 361. The 361's are the only ones I still own. The AV is superior to the earlier saws. The 361 handles better. It has way less problems and does not have any starting, running or other issues. The air filters last a very long time if you keep them clean. I run my saws eight months of the year in a commercial environment and the 361 is always the "go to" saw. You just can't beat it with a 18" or 20" bar. Run an 036/360 for 6-8 hours then go run a 361 for that long and your hands will feel my point. The 361 has better economy and chain speed IMHO. I have them is bone stock form and they still work very well. The next one I build is going to be a BB kit, ported with a muf mod. It should have no trouble hanging in there with an 80cc saw. Get the 361 and forget about those crappy flippy caps.

 

[old-cat]

1125=034,034S,036,360 Good saws however many are in need of quite a bit of work theses days. Check it over carefully, getting long in the tooth.

361="better" anti-vibe and fairly good reliabilty reputation, a good one had more umf then a typical 360. Main issue around here was ignition modules failing. Never bothered to find one for myself as I prefer the 1125s.

362=NO. Perhaps the only "better" might be fuel savings and anti-vibe , beyond that Stihl swung and missed with that model. I would rather use the 2171 than the 362.

I own many 1125s in all the various forms, good saws with fairly strong OEM and AM parts availibilty. Biggest annoying issue on them is the plastic snap choke rod tabs on some of the gas tanks need to be fixed or the choke rod pops out. Beyond that it is the usual gaskets, lines and seals, basket cases get the whole work up.

If you found a very clean good condition 034S that would be my choice, hard to find though. I am a fan of the 30cc/60cc/90cc setup, I keep trying the 50cc/70cc but have not found any combos that replace the 1125s and 1122s.

If an 034S is something you'd be interested in, here's one on craigslist - Stihl 034 super Chainsaw W/24" bar. full chisel

 

[Naked Arborist]

That's a good deal if they both run.

 

[watsonr]

If an 034S is something you'd be interested in, here's one on craigslist - Stihl 034 super Chainsaw W/24" bar. full chisel

Smoking deal!!!

 

[Justsaws]

If an 034S is something you'd be interested in, here's one on craigslist - Stihl 034 super Chainsaw W/24" bar. full chisel

That would be waaaaaay over-priced in my area unless it was new seals, lines, filters, etc. The extra power head is a parts machine so not much added value because of the number of those parts machines availible. It is not hard to find 361s with waaaaaaaay less time on them for less money, as long as you can be patient.

However, there are folks around here that want that kind of money out of them before repairs.

 

[CG Racing]

I have 10 stihl chainsaws and 2 of them are 036 pros. Although I cannot compare them to 361 or 362s, they are my favorite of all my saws that range from 200t - 088. They both run 20" bars and rip. I bought both as clean used and haven't had a single issue with either.

 

[watsonr]

That would be waaaaaay over-priced in my area unless it was new seals, lines, filters, etc. The extra power head is a parts machine so not much added value because of the number of those parts machines availible. It is not hard to find 361s with waaaaaaaay less time on them for less money, as long as you can be patient.

However, there are folks around here that want that kind of money out of them before repairs.

And those are hard to find in my area. Fix the one and basically get a good saw for close to $100-150 is a pretty good deal in my book. Probably not find a 361 for that. It will work, might not be as smooth as a 361 but just as fun to cut with.

 

[fearofpavement]

I'll keep an eye out for a nice MS361. In the meantime, I have an 18" bar for the Jonsered 2172 so could maybe get by without something in the 60cc class.

I was pretty happy with the upgraded 029 and may do another one of those if I find a scored up cheap one to start with.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[watsonr]

I'll keep an eye out for a nice MS361. In the meantime, I have an 18" bar for the Jonsered 2172 so could maybe get by without something in the 60cc class.

I was pretty happy with the upgraded 029 and may do another one of those if I find a scored up cheap one to start with.

Thanks for the advice.

Put a 390 top end on it!

 

[Justsaws]

And those are hard to find in my area. Fix the one and basically get a good saw for close to $100-150 is a pretty good deal in my book. Probably not find a 361 for that. It will work, might not be as smooth as a 361 but just as fun to cut with.

That is the thing about pricing on the internet, location, location, location.

FOP, If you can wait for a deal it will pop up eventually. The 361s are showing up used alot more often now than even last Jan/Feb.

I spent last year running a 16" HTbar on a 365 and a 24" on a 372, 18" bar sounds about right.

 

[SawTroll]

Put a 390 top end on it!

On a 361? That would be a really stupid move....

 

[H 2 H]

.....

I was pretty happy with the upgraded 029 and may do another one of those if I find a scored up cheap one to start with.

Thanks for the advice.

Put a 390 top end on it!

You'll sure like the 390 on it I sure do :msp_smile:

 

[nmurph]

I have a few 036's, a 361, and I had a 362. The 036 is easily the pick of the litter. It does vibrate a little more than the others, and if I ran it daily it might sway my choice. But the 036 is close to a pound lighter and the power is a draw bw the 036/361. The 362 was a step in the wrong direction but was likely driven by the EPA.

 

[cedarshark]

I have an 034 Super on the bench waiting for a set of gaskets to get here. That saw feels very good and I cant wait to get it running again without bar oil in the crankcase.:msp_sneaky:

 

[ttyR2]

I rebuilt a basket case 036 I bought off ebay a year or so ago. Took a while to find a good used cylinder for it, but after adjusting the squish a bit and opening the muffler a tad, it runs awesome. My buddies with older saws are really blown away with how powerful it is for it's weight. I take it and the 026 PRO all over the place.

 

[fearofpavement]

With the pair of 026 saws I have and the Jonsered 2172 with an 18" bar (and a 20"), I think I am going to try doing the 50cc 70cc thing and go without a 60cc saw until I find the right thing.

regarding the big bore on the 029/290, that does make a pretty good saw. I planned on keeping my 029/390 but then it slipped from my grasp. Easy come/ easy go.

Can't seem to get anyone to buy my Husqvarna 55 so I guess that remains in my line-up as well. So that actually gives me 4 saws in the 50cc range as I have an 028 Super as well. I sorta like that saw but probably not more than the 026. So I may cull that one too.

Right now my line-up is 018C, 028S, 026, 026, Husky 55, Jonsered 2172, MS660, Stihl 070.

My long range plan looks like this: 018C, 026, 026, 046, MS660, 070.

This doesn't include climbing and pole saws.

 

[cedarshark]

I have an 034 Super on the bench waiting for a set of gaskets to get here. That saw feels very good and I cant wait to get it running again without bar oil in the crankcase.:msp_sneaky:

I split the case on my 034 super yesterday and pulled one of the bar studs out of the case with the case splitter. Found it had been done before and JB welded back into the case. Have you ever had one of those saws that seems the further you get into it, the more things wrong that you find ?

 

[ROWDY]

I own the 360 PRO. My brother has the 361. As we go to the forest together to cut stiff up, we grab the other man's saw...The only thing that we can tell that's different is who's chain is sharper. I do think his 361 starts easier, more comfort with with anti vibe. But power and anything else...Just the same saw.

 

[Justsaws]

I split the case on my 034 super yesterday and pulled one of the bar studs out of the case with the case splitter. Found it had been done before and JB welded back into the case. Have you ever had one of those saws that seems the further you get into it, the more things wrong that you find ?

All of them.

 

[cedarshark]

All of them.

LMAO...:msp_tongue: I got my stud repaired with a helicoil but wish I had put a Timecert in it. Cant find them in my small town other than mail order. I looked up the torque on bar nuts...approx 22 ft/lbs. I been getting them WAY too tight !