Plastic Crankcases

[Taxmantoo]

Is there a definitive list of plastic engined chainsaws somewhere?

A month ago, I'd never heard of a 'plastic engine'.
When did this atrocity come to be? (yes, I'm biased against plastic engines)

I'm assuming an old Husqvarna 36 would be aluminum or magnesium, and the smaller 1xx Huskies (137,141,142) are plastic, did I get that right?

Maybe we could come up with a list that would help newbies like me determine which saws are all metal (like my Dolmar), metal engine in a plastic housing (Stihl consumer saws), and saws with actual structural plastic engine parts (like some Husky/Poulan products)

 

[jamie101]

The stihl 017 018 MS170 MS180 021 023 025 MS210 MS230 MS250 All have plastic crank cases. These are the ones i know about. Aimed at the home owner.

 

[blsnelling]

I have a MS180 and love it. There is a place for these saws. It's called light weight.

 

[Dibbs]

The stihl 017 018 MS170 MS180 021 023 025 MS210 MS230 MS250 All have plastic crank cases. These are the ones i know about. Aimed at the home owner.

+ 019T, 029, 039, MS190T, MS191T, MS290, MS310, MS390.

 

[scotclayshooter]

Husky 350 455 460 are on the list as well
Is the 460 the biggest plastic engined saw?

 

[teacherman]

Are we making a distinction between true plastic crankcases and a metal clamshell crank assembly that is embedded in a plastic frame?
The 029 etc are set up that way, so technically not a plastic "crankcase".....
FWIW

 

[romeo]

You can add Walmart to the list. Any saw you could get there has a plastic crankcase.

 

[Dibbs]

Are we making a distinction between true plastic crankcases and a metal clamshell crank assembly that is embedded in a plastic frame?
The 029 etc are set up that way, so technically not a plastic "crankcase".....
FWIW

All of Stihl's "plastic" crankcases are the metal clamshell type engine bolted onto the plastic body. I think most people call it a plastic crankcase because that's where the crankcase is located on a "real" saw!

 

[Taxmantoo]

What is teacherman saying? That some saws have a metal skeleton connecting the crank bearings to the cylinder, encased in plastic which completes the bottom end of the engine? If so, are there other saws that have only plastic to maintain the relationship of the crank to the cylinder?

 

[Dibbs]

IPL section of 017:-

A bit crude I know!

The bottom of the engine is the part which looks like a clam shell, when the engine is assembles it is placed into the plastic body of the saw then four bolts go through the bottom of the plastic saw body into the engine block holding it all together.

"Plastic" saws are essentially an engine set into a chainsaw body, the engine in a "metal" one is actually part of the chainsaw body (crankcase).

 

[wood4heat]

Is there a problem with these saws other than being more dificult to work on?

It seems to me most of the people bashing them aren't people who own or use them.

 

[Taxmantoo]

Thanks, Dibbs. That 017 diagram doesn't bother me too much. I had visions of a normal engine (cylinder attached to crankcase) with the crankcase made out of plastic, and the idea scared the crap out of me. I'd say that's a plastic chassis, not a plastic engine. It does look like the cost to replace a scored cylinder would be prohibitive.

Are they all like the 017, or are some saws truly inferior?

 

[GASoline71]

Is there a problem with these saws other than being more dificult to work on?

No... no problem with them.

The "plastic" saws from reputable manufacturers are just fine...

they suit their niche in life A-OK.

Gary

 

[04ultra]

Thanks, Dibbs. That 017 diagram doesn't bother me too much. I had visions of a normal engine (cylinder attached to crankcase) with the crankcase made out of plastic, and the idea scared the crap out of me. I'd say that's a plastic chassis, not a plastic engine. It does look like the cost to replace a scored cylinder would be prohibitive.

Are they all like the 017 , or are some saws truly inferior?

The 017/170/018/180 is a complete metal engine set into a plastic frame.........The Husky 350 and 455 have the plastic lower crankcases...Were the cylinder bolts to a plastic crankcase..

 

[Dibbs]

The 017/170/018/180 is a complete metal engine set into a plastic frame.........The Husky 350 and 455 have the plastic lower crankcases...Were the cylinder bolts to a plastic crankcase..

Didn't know that! Thankfully I'll never own one to see it first hand!

 

[SawTroll]

The 017/170/018/180 is a complete metal engine set into a plastic frame.........The Husky 350 and 455 have the plastic lower crankcases...Were the cylinder bolts to a plastic crankcase..

There is no evidense that it actually matters, though........

 

[Taxmantoo]

There is no evidence that it actually matters, though........

So would the Wildthingy have a solid engine if they Nikasil'd the cylinder?
Or does it have other problems, like crappy bearings?
What is the difference between a WT and, say, a 141?

Do the more popular Huskies like the 346XP have the plastic lower case?

What about Dolmar? Are all Dollies solid metal engines?
Which ones are aluminum cased, besides PS460/PS510?

 

[SawTroll]

So would the Wildthingy have a solid engine if they Nikasil'd the cylinder?
Or does it have other problems, like crappy bearings?
What is the difference between a WT and, say, a 141?

The 141 is designed by Husky, and have a different (and plated) engine + like some other Swedish made parts as well, like the crank. I am sure there is more, that I don't know about.......

Do the more popular Huskies like the 346XP have the plastic lower case?

No, the 353, 346xp etc have a mag case

What about Dolmar? Are all Dollies solid metal engines?
Which ones are aluminum cased, besides PS460/PS510?

The 5100S and larger have a mag case - not sure about the 350/420....

I put the answers in bold, into the quote.

 

[excess650]

What about Dolmar? Are all Dollies solid metal engines?
Which ones are aluminum cased, besides PS460/PS510?

The DCS 401 (39cc)and DCS 341 have aluminum or magnesium cases, and these are small, lightweight saws. My DCS 401 has a 8.8# powerhead as weighed on my scale.

 

[Edge & Engine]

The new Dolmar small saws (350/420) are magnesium.

The plastic-crankcase Husky saws have a bad reputation around here, for some reason.