Stihl 044 with decomp plug

[Esq1997]

Good evening-

Looking at a Stihl 044 that has a cylinder that’s been drilled for a decomp. The handle appears to be an older version with the red lever. I’ve read on here and elsewhere that some early 044’s had decomp plugs - maybe in the northwest. I read that some had a decomp before the elastostat pulley was added? Wondering if anyone has an opinion on this issue.

 

[Esq1997]

Here is a pic of the cylinder

 

[Esq1997]

Pic of cylinder

 

[pioneerguy600]

Cylinders are easily swapped out, they do not denote a certain year in any way.

 

[Esq1997]

Thank you. Any thought on what’s depicted in the pic?

 

[WoodmanSr]

Thank you. Any thought on what’s depicted in the pic?

Your pic appears identical to an item on Wolf Creek Saw Shop web page. Several 044/440 Hyway kits there which all have decomp port.

Hyway Titanikel BB 52mm cylinder pop up piston for Stihl 044 MS440 Caber rings
... all the same casting & machining as question pic.

 

[pioneerguy600]

You need to look at the base of the cylinder where it bolts down to the crankcase, there will be identifying markings down there, sometimes a bit difficult to see when the cylinder is mounted. The cylinders have been made by 3 major suppliers that I have seen, Mahle, Kolben Scmidt and Stihl in later years.

 

[Esq1997]

Thanks guys. I can’t get a pic of the lower part of the cylinder. I did check out the marking etched into the top of the cylinder. It looks like a circle with a “v” and the letter “s”. I think I’ve seen that marking on OEM still cylinders.