Thoughts on an older stihl 031av

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Quigleythemystic

Fallin, Cuttin, Buckin, Splittin & Stackin!
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Nov 16, 2019
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Peshastin, Washington, 98847
I have a chance to get an old Stihl 031av and a Homelite SUPER 2 for finding a simple ignition coil for a buddy of mines promac 850. Whats your guys opinion on the 031av? I need more saws to work on, all the ones i currently own chooch with perfection. Thoughts?
 
I bought 031AV from my neighbor over 20 years ago for $150 and it has been tough & very reliable trouble free saw!
My other neighbor has had identical saw since it was new and he is still using it.

Couple of things that bug me a little:

These saws are noisier than newer saws but I can live with that.

Mine also vibrates little more what I would like.
I just recently bought new annular buffer and handle bar mounts etc. to replace all those pieces since they are close to 50 years old and the material may have hardened.

We will see if that helps?
 
They are comfortable to run and balance and handle well with a 20in bar. Not the power to weight as the next generation but that doesn't make them a bad tool. At thier age expect more bench time then newer saws. Ignition problems, and air leaks are more likely. Lot of good used parts are out there for them, not sure how easy it is for finding affordable ignition parts.
I guess i wouldn't want 1 for my primary saw now adays but it be a good extra saw in the line up if i didn't have better for my varied purposes.
 
The points fail or are very hard to adjust. Many people convert to electronic. The fixes are out there and well documented, but they are not easy fixes. I have an 031AV and an 032AV both with ignition issues and I don't really want to tackle it.
 
The NOVA replacement for points is a simple fix. However, I have learned that you cannot mount it under the flywheel because the engine heat will destroy the module quiçk. I put it next to the carburàtor and spliçe it into the kill switch wire and ground it.
 
Hiw
The NOVA replacement for points is a simple fix. However, I have learned that you cannot mount it under the flywheel because the engine heat will destroy the module quiçk. I put it next to the carburàtor and spliçe it into the kill switch wire and ground it.
Exactly do the nova replacement points work? What are the benefits of using one?
 
The NOVA uses the wire to the points/coil to send the spark impulse to the spark plug. It is the same wire as the kill switch.

The benefit of a NOVA is that it costs $12-13 on eBay and no points adjustment.
 
The 032av is very easy as the module is all you need. It uses the same flywheel as the 032ave so there is no timing issues. Been using mine for years and has not failed yet. I use the kawasaki/johndeere module. Cant remember the number of it right off. The 031av uses a different flywheel than the 031ave so it is a little harder to add a module, as you have to remove the flywheel key and rotate it about 1/2” on the outside edge to time it properly. I used a green loctite that is for bearings on smooth journals to ensure the flywheel doesn't ever shift. A little heat is all that would be required to get it off in the future. You don’t need to remove the points or condenser either, just snip the wire going to it and reroute to the airbox. Mine fit perfectly in the bottom right corner below the idle screw. I am about to convert my third 031av for my dad unless he really wants to spend the money on new points. I use my 031, 032, and poulan 3400 as my main runners every year for about 6+ cords.
 

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