Is a Stihl 038 AV Magnum II a worthwhile project?

[Chris J.]

I have little experience with older Stihl saws, hence my question: Would a Stihl 038 AV Magnum II be a worthwile project? Provided of course it doesn't need a lot of parts replaced. I checked a few threads and the 038 Magnum has more than a few fans.

https://www.google.com/#hl=en&outpu....,cf.osb&fp=16a76c5f7e072d5b&biw=1093&bih=481


Stihl 038AV Magnum II Chainsaw

The seller says it's only showing 40PSI compression, but he hasn't checked the p&c, & the saw certainly wasn't a shelf queen. I'm not worried about posting the link, if someone here wants to go through the trouble of pursuing the saw, so be it.

 

[jockeydeuce]

Like you say that's not a shelf queen, but I've seen much worse. An 038 Magnum would have to be pretty far gone before I wouldn't make a project out of it....They really are pretty darn legendary!

 

[Stihlofadeal64]

If you aint gonna mess wif it...I suspect someone nearby certainly will. It's not a cream puff but most we buy are not...snatch it! :cool2:

 

[StihlyinEly]

An 038 Magnum would have to be pretty far gone before I wouldn't make a project out of it....They really are pretty darn legendary!

Absolutely. One of my top 5 Stihls of all time! And as the 038 series goes, if it ain't a magnum, it ain't ####.

 

[Tzed250]

038 Mag is one of the saws that put Stihl on the map.

 

[sefh3]

Well worth it. I would get it. Piston and rings are still available for this saw.

 

[procarbine2k1]

I'm not a big 038 fan, but would definitely take on a 038 Mag II just to have in the collection. I had a Super a couple years ago, and wasnt all that impressed with it. It was a well built, well engineered saw none the less. I say pick that thing up!

 

[StihlyinEly]

I'm not a big 038 fan, but would definitely take on a 038 Mag II just to have in the collection. I had a Super a couple years ago, and wasnt all that impressed with it. It was a well built, well engineered saw none the less. I say pick that thing up!

Get a Mag and run it. It buries the Super. And pay no attention to Sawtroll, who will of course eventually see this thread when he awakes, and can't help himself when it comes to older (and some newer) Stihls. :hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[procarbine2k1]

And pay no attention to Sawtroll

Advice of the century! Rep sent!

On the Mag, yes I imagine it is a good bit stronger than the Super. If it wasnt, I dont think the 038's would have such a cult like following. I dont know that I really gave that super enough time, I may have to track a Super or a Mag down again one of these days.

 

[FSburt]

I say buy it. This was my first saw I ever owned. Got it for $300 bucks back in 1991 from my wifes uncle. Been a kick ass saw from day one. I have done alot of falling and cutting with this saw with the only work I have had to do is replace the fuel tank ( got smashed by a tree and cracked the rear handle). I got rid of the stock air filter and put on a foam filter which makes this saw run longer before the filter would clog up. My only problem that I just started having with it is a high rev idle when I dog into a tree which makes me think the clutch side crank seal has let go. I run a 28"and 32" bars and this saw just digs in and just cuts with gusto. Been a great saw for me and the use I have put on it which has been as a production saw.

 

[Chris J.]

Well worth it. I would get it. Piston and rings are still available for this saw.

That's good to know, any idea of the cost?

Info pulled from my new CD, I hope that I pulled the correct numbers:
P&C kit.....1119 020 1202
Piston.......1119 030 2003
Rings (2)...1115 034 3010

 

[2yb3]

That's good to know, any idea of the cost?

Info pulled from my new CD, I hope that I pulled the correct numbers:
P&C kit.....1119 020 1202
Piston.......1119 030 2003
Rings (2)...1115 034 3010

i hope you make a build thread out of this, i got a 038 i paid 80 for as well, need to tear it apart. piston got a little scoring, but runs decent. wont oil got to check that out.

even buy it, then part it out. if i seen that near me id drop the 80 and run to the car saw in hand lol

 

[sawfun9]

Yes it's a worthy saw, in fact it's not much under a 044 in power and not that much heavier. Unless you cut with the two side by side I doubt you'd notice the difference cutting firewood. They'll run a 28" bar no problem and a 32 in a pinch.

 

[o8f150]

if it was me,, i would grab it,, heck,, you never know he might take 50 cash for it

 

[Chris J.]

Bloody 'ell! The seller (a right bloke from England) had done some research and decided he wants to try to rebuild the 038 Mag. Oh well, probably better that I use the $$ on some of my existing project saws (such as the Poulan 5400) and my 'sorry but I don't want to run today, maybe tomorrow' Stihl FS 55.

We ended up chatting for a bit, & I emailed to him the IPL. I was going to include the SM, but I couldn't find one ; I used both of my access CDs, & some other sources.

 

[StihlyinEly]

On the Mag, yes I imagine it is a good bit stronger than the Super. If it wasnt, I dont think the 038's would have such a cult like following. I dont know that I really gave that super enough time, I may have to track a Super or a Mag down again one of these days.

A ported 038Mag is a killer that loves a 25- to 32-inch B&C in 3/8 .050. You could ask me how I know, but I reckon you don't have to. :hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[jockeydeuce]

Bloody 'ell! The seller (a right bloke from England) had done some research and decided he wants to try to rebuild the 038 Mag. Oh well, probably better that I use the $$ on some of my existing project saws (such as the Poulan 5400) and my 'sorry but I don't want to run today, maybe tomorrow' Stihl FS 55.

We ended up chatting for a bit, & I emailed to him the IPL. I was going to include the SM, but I couldn't find one ; I used both of my access CDs, & some other sources.

That's kind of a bummer that you didn't get to buy that saw......An 038 Mag is a saw that has some real "wow factor" in the torque dept.