Chainsaw Repair

Husqvarna - Stihl - Poulan - Jonsered - Dolmar chainsaws and more => Stihl => Topic started by: blueberrymuzik on January 23, 2013, 09:20:35 pm

Title: MS441 Magnum Part Help
Post by: blueberrymuzik on January 23, 2013, 09:20:35 pm
I bought a MS441 Magnum today with the clutch side crankcase half broken. Anyone know where I might find a used one?
Title: Re: MS441 Magnum Part Help
Post by: mweba on January 23, 2013, 11:27:18 pm
Best bet is ebay.  Keep in mind they are machined as a pair so replacing just a clutch side may need adjustment.
Title: Re: MS441 Magnum Part Help
Post by: chainsaw-57 on January 24, 2013, 09:57:02 am
  Good Morning,

  The clutch side crankcase is available.  1138 020 2903  @$150.00. ;)

  As long as this unit does not have the additional chain brake activation in the rear handle. ;)

  I have seen this before. :-X

  Larry.  HOS.  HOS@att.net

Title: Re: MS441 Magnum Part Help
Post by: riverrocket on January 24, 2013, 08:00:29 pm
I was told by my stihl mech. that you must use crank cases as a pair. if you try to just replace one half, you risk the chance that the bore may be out of alignment by a fraction of an inch, you wouldn't notice it right away, but with the bore being out of alignment, your sure to wipe out the bearings and seals.
but than again you could get lucky and everything aligns as they should (That's never my luck) don't know if its possible or not, but i know when i was building small block chevy engines, my machine shop would align the bore on the main bearings, don't know if that's possible with chainsaws or not?
Title: Re: MS441 Magnum Part Help
Post by: 660magnum on January 24, 2013, 08:05:35 pm
I hear of when putting two case halves together from different Stihl saws that sometimes they work fine and other times, one half will be higher than the other half where the cylinder bolts on. That you can not depend on it to work correctly.
Title: Re: MS441 Magnum Part Help
Post by: Cut4fun on January 24, 2013, 09:45:09 pm
Maybe the newer stihls like 441 are not like the older stihl crankcases. 

I know Larry chainsaw-57 and I know where he works  ;). I would trust Larry if he told me I could use one half on a 441 per his instructions he said to watch for. Trust me he is on top of the stihl game.  ;)
Title: Re: MS441 Magnum Part Help
Post by: Cut4fun on January 25, 2013, 04:15:04 pm
Just sharing what was shared with me so you know more on your 441.

I is not me.  ;)

Stihl shows separate case halves available, this means to me that they can be matched to other halves.  In the past on most models they were sold as pairs.  I have replaced several MS441 clutch side halves, with original flywheel halves, no problems.
Title: Re: MS441 Magnum Part Help
Post by: blueberrymuzik on January 25, 2013, 05:27:16 pm
Apparently it is ok to replace crankcase halves individually. The IPL for the MS441 has a separate p/n for each half. They do not list a separate p/n for a complete case. In the MS441 Service Manual on page 52,  I finally found the statement "If the two halves of the crankcase are damaged, they can be replaced separately". This must be something that has come about with the later model saws, because I've always been told the halves are machined together and must remain together.

Thanks for all of the input and research into this. I just sent a money order off today for a used crankcase and shaft that I located in Eastern Missouri. Hope to get under way with this project next week.