How to identify Stihl 045

[Shawn.54]

I’m trying to get an old 045 running again need to find parts and the tag is gone it is a 045 but I don’t know if it’s a super AV or just 045 can anyone tell from looking at the pics or tell me what to look for.
Thanks
Shawn

 

[Shawn.54]

I just flushed out the fuel tank put a little gas in it and 10 pulls and it’s running. I believe it’s a 045 AV the handle is bent and part is missing no other cracks or breaks in the body.
Shawn

 

[Shawn.54]

Ok it’s an 045 AV I found a muffler and used wrap around handle I’m in the process of cleaning it up and getting alcohol free gas to run in it. This saw belonged to my grandfather who used it for about 8-10 years for felling then a dead tree fell on it and him while skidding logs the saw took most of the force and he was just pinned to his tractor steering wheel. When he went to replace parts it was way to expensive so he parked it and got a new one.
He’ 85 now and when I showed interest in the old girl he said if I could get it running it was mine the only condition was the first time I use it he wants to be there. At 85 he still skids for me but he can’t walk so his cutting day are over.
So as I try to get this saw running an old man waits to see an old friend come back to life so if any one has any pointers I would appreciate it.
Shawn

 

[SEAM]

I wonder why the saw wasn't worth fixing then...
Looking at the pics you will definitely need a new front handle - the squashed handle was a wrap around but any 045/056 handle will work.
Not sure why the muffler was missing - but without muffler you can check the piston through the exhaust port.
A carb overhaul might be in order, and you should make sure it oils good.
Then there is the cleaning part...

 

[Shawn.54]

Well back then it was Stihl dealership or nothing we figured it was parked in November 1984 he did run the fuel tank dry beforehand.
When I said I could get parts from eBay he was amazed. Muffler was smashed when tree hit it took it off when he took it to dealer when he got estimate to fix it new muffler/ handle bar it was high enough that he just replaced it with a new one. The amazing thing is that there is not a single crack in the castings. The cleaning has already begun.
Shawn

 

[Conquistador3]

It's a late production 045AV with optional chain brake, if this can help.
Most parts aren't a big problem and it seems our good friends in Qingdao have started manufacturing carb kits for Tillotson's as well as 045/056 electronic ignitions.

 

[Shawn.54]

I got the muffler the gasket should arrive today ordered a handle bar this morning now to get a carburetor kit.
There is no chain brake on it but has the places to put one on I think I read some where that when the full wrap handle bar was used that they left the break out. I may be wrong.
I remember as a kid how powerful this saw was
and I hope to see it make chips again.
Shawn

 

[usmcbuckwild]

Good on ya!

I recently picked up an 045 av, an 041 av Farm Boss and an 041 Farm Boss. None have chain brakes. All of them were in pretty rough shape but so far only really needed a good cleaning. The 045 I got running and it REALLY liked having the muffler opened up a little bit. Beware of the wiring, seems to be a common issue for the wire insulation to crack and ground out so the saw won’t run. A little good quality heat shrink tubing can solve that. I thought mine would need a carb, but a semi thorough cleaning with the existing gaskets got it running. I do plan on do a complete carb rebuild in the near future.

I, like you, remember my Grandfather’s 041 FB and us using it growing up. My crackhead cousin sold it for drug money, so I will never have it again. But, these will sort of replace it. Gramps is gone, but the good memories triggered by that old saw are worth all the money in the world.

Can’t wait to see a video of the 2 of you spreading some saw chips with the old beast.

 

[usmcbuckwild]

It's a late production 045AV with optional chain brake, if this can help.
Most parts aren't a big problem and it seems our good friends in Qingdao have started manufacturing carb kits for Tillotson's as well as 045/056 electronic ignitions.

Where do you see evidence of a chain brake? Mine looks pretty darn close to the one pictured and doesn't have a chain brake. Only differences I can see is the sprocket cover: his is notched for the full wrap handle mount and there is no opening for the muffler pipe over the sprocket cover. Mine also doesn’t have the 3 holes on the sprocket side of the top cover by the cylinder.

Not criticizing, genuine curiosity.

 

[SEAM]

It is most probably an "electronic" (newer Stihl logo on starter housing) and therefore also was available with chain brake, in the US probably as an option (there were 2 types of chain brakes - one with a mechanism that disengaged the clutch from the crank shaft + brake band, the other just a simple brake band). The hand guard features a slot that would guide (push) the brake actuator to lock the drum on impact...

 

[Shawn.54]

The chain brake has an external rod that was connected to a break that was part of sprocket cover when you took off cover you had to unhook the bar from the hand guard.
In my top pic you can see slott that the rod slid into.
Saw a video on YouTube somewhere showing it and the guy said if it had a full wrap handle the brake would not be there.
Shawn

 

[Shawn.54]

also my grandfather is not big on safety he could have removed the brake because it got in his way or pissed him off when he accidentally bumped it on.
Shawn

 

[SEAM]

This sprocket cover does not have a chain brake assy - in those days the chain brake was an option, a lot of people didn't think they needed one. The later 045 Super and 056 (Super) were probably sold only with chain brake.

 

[Shawn.54]

When I get home I’ll look closer I will be installing the muffler I hope I don’t hurt her feelings the screws I got from Stihl to mount the muffler are T27 and she’s a flat screws girl.
Shawn

 

[Shawn.54]

Is there a way to figure out year of manufacture?

 

[SEAM]

The Stihl serial numbers don't relate the year of manufacture... I think if you ask Stihl directly supplying the serial number of your saw they can pinpoint the year it was made. That is what German collectors usually do...

 

[usmcbuckwild]

When I get home I’ll look closer I will be installing the muffler I hope I don’t hurt her feelings the screws I got from Stihl to mount the muffler are T27 and she’s a flat screws girl.
Shawn

I substituted a couple T27 bolts onto mine; so far she doesn’t mind at all. The muffler had T27s in it already, all 4 of them. They are Stihl T27s and appear quite old.

 

[Shawn.54]

On the T27 subject I have a MS 390 completely disassembled on my bench now and I love those screws they don’t slip or strip. To remove the 4 motor mounts I clamped the driver in Vice Grips to break them free no trouble. Working on the 045 what little I did was a little on the PIA side.
Shawn

 

[Conquistador3]

Where do you see evidence of a chain brake? Mine looks pretty darn close to the one pictured and doesn't have a chain brake. Only differences I can see is the sprocket cover: his is notched for the full wrap handle mount and there is no opening for the muffler pipe over the sprocket cover. Mine also doesn’t have the 3 holes on the sprocket side of the top cover by the cylinder.

Not criticizing, genuine curiosity.

The hole in the shroud in the top picture. I merely assumed the actuator may have been broken at the same time as the handle: all the 045AV's with that chain guard I've seen here had the brake.

 

[usmcbuckwild]

The hole in the shroud in the top picture. I merely assumed the actuator may have been broken at the same time as the handle: all the 045AV's with that chain guard I've seen here had the brake.

These holes?