New 357XP muffler mod's now or after break in?

[Toneman]

Well, after 20 years of using Stihl, I finally broke down and bought a Husky 357XP.
Looks like a great saw, and I can't wait until I use it.
I am thinking about doing some muffler mods, but don't know if I should wait and break the saw in first, or go ahead and do it now before I even fire it up?
What do you guys think?

 

[bwalker]

I would do it right away.

 

[treeclimber165]

Originally posted by bwalker
I would do it right away.

Don't listen to Ben. Go ahead and cook your new engine with a restricted muffler during break in (when it's generating extra heat anyway). That way the saw will run so much better when you open the muffler and let it run at more reasonable temperatures later. All that extra heat is good for break in.

 

[Crofter]

Leave that muffler stock just long enough to get some timed cuts. It is nice to have those figures to see the great improvement afterwards. Can't see any benefits in leaving the muffler plugged. Just make sure you reset the carb and don't really lean it out while you are breaking it in.

Frank

 

[Farmboy]

044 muffler mods

Reading Toneman's post about modifying the muffler on his 357XP got me thinking about trying a modified muffler on my 044. Who's got the best modified muffler for my saw? I'm set up to Ox- Acetylene (sp?) weld, silver solder, etc. and could probably modify my existing muffler given some instructions, but would prefer to buy one already modified to save the hassle, unless it was ungodly expensive. Any recommendations? What sort of power gains could I expect?

On a different subject, does anyone know the differences between an 044 (mine is a '02 model), and the new MS044s? Are the new saws any hotter?

thanks,
Jim

 

[bwalker]

Who's got the best modified muffler for my saw

Stihl does. They sell a dual port cover for the 044. It is much better IMO than welding tubes to the stovk piece.

 

[Farmboy]

Thanks, Ben. I'll stop by my dealer next week, and see if he has heard of the factory dual port cover. Any idea on the part no.? What about cost?

Thanks,
Jim

 

[treeclimber165]

Welcome, Jim.
For your first question, welders are not necessary to open up a muffler. Simply make the baffle and outlet holes bigger so there is less restriction. If you can't do that, you can buy the old style 044 muffler cover with dual ports (two holes).
For your second question, the difference between the '02 044 and the '03 MS440 is they put the zero at the end of the 44 instead of in front of the 44. The new ones have the new style gas caps also.

 

[glens]

Hi Jim.

To what Brian just said I'll add that it would seem they also now have a compression release, and I believe Stihltech (another member here) hinted at increased output (but that could have resulted from the continuing inclusion of the statement, from a couple years ago, in their current literature?).

http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7073&highlight=440+compression+release

But I'm pretty sure they were "044" through 2001 model year and became "MS 440" (also with the new caps) for the 2002 model year.  The further changes spoken of in the referenced thread were for the 2003 model year.  At least that's my understanding of it all.

Glen

 

[bwalker]

Jim, The part# for the dual port cover is 1128-140-0801. The only differance between the 02 and 03 440 is the 03 has a decompression release valve.

 

[bwalker]

Glens, The neww 440 is rated the same as last years. The power increase(5%) came about 3 years back.

 

[Toneman]

Ben,

Does Stihl have dual port muffler covers for any other of their saws?

Thanks

 

[ClearH20Scott]

Toneman, Jim

I believe the cover bwalker mentioned works on both the 440,
and the 460. I have one on my 440, and it does make the saw
wake up quite a bit. I found a 2001 Stihl catalog, and the 5%
power increase was talked up then, when it was still called the
044Magnum. I own a Dennis G. modded 357, that was sent to
him after I had essentially broke it in. Night and day man. At the
very least open up the muffler. The DG357 is the ninth or tenth
wonder. Does everything big or small with equal zest. I am a
weekend woodtick, but the 357 has to be the best all around
saw I own. Keeps getting better.

 

[bwalker]

Does Stihl have dual port muffler covers for any other of their saws?

044, 046, 066. As clear water mentioned the 044 cover works on the 046.

 

[jokers]

I was using my Greffardized 357 last night to block up some log length elm, ~20" diameter, that has been down since last summer, like Scott said, "what a saw". It just blasts through the cut. Dennis really has the numbers to make this model sing. Russ

 

[tundraotto]

Originally posted by treeclimber165
All that extra heat is good for break in.

really? why is that?

 

[Farmboy]

Thanks for the P/N, BWalker, I will order one up & report my impressions here on the boards when I have the chance to try it out.

You all do have me curious about what year model my saw is. I bought it in '02, and assumed it was an '02 model. It is labeled 044, not MS440 as some have reported the '02 and up saws are marked. It is not an 044 Magnum either, just plain old 044. My dealer sells quite a few saws, and I am pretty sure mine is an '01 at the earliest, not a left over model from a couple years back - anything is possible though.

 

[bwalker]

If you have a 044 consider yourself lucky. The new caps that come with the 440 stink.