On many Stihl saws you'll find what they refer to as a "cooling plate" mounted between the muffler and clylinder. There are many saws that don't have it too though, and some models I believe were given the plate at some point after initial release. My question is for anyone who may have an original 10mm 044 and/or has historical knowledge on the 044/440 line. I have what I believe to be an all-original 10mm 044. It does not have the cooling plate, but I can't glean from mediaCAT if they did originally or not. I also have an early MS440 that does not have the cooling plate, but it was partially disassembled when I received it, so I can't be sure if it was misplaced or not. So, can anyone verify for me if early 044s had the plate and/or early 440s? I know it doesn't seem like a big deal, but I like my saws to be just as they should. I would stick a plate on the 044 simply because it certainly would'n't hurt anything from a performance standpoint, but the muffler lines up perfectly when mounted and it seems if I put the plate in there it'll space the lower holes out a little bit from the case causing unnecessary stress. I believe the mufflers are the same throughout the range, as well as cylinder fitment, so I would have to assume if there is a difference regarding the plate it would have to be with the case dimensions? Thanks.
Page 10 of the 044 parts list shows a cooling plate (item 12) https://www.manuals4u.com.au/chainsaw/stihl-spare-parts-lists/
I know. And, the cooling plate shows up in mediaCAT for the 044 too. The problem is that as changes are made the manuals and software are updated, so it's tough to tell what was and was not there originally. I'm trying to determine if the 044 was ever released from the factory without the plate...
I just got an early 12mm 044 and no cooling plate. I don't think the muffler has ever been off the saw. One top screw was seized and snapped off and cover was extremely difficult to get off. Looks to have never been cleaned behind the muffler. I had a 2003 440, pretty sure it had the plate.
Took me a while but I found it. Looks like the cooling plate/heat shield was added after serial number X38472631. Here's the details.
Just happy to help. I've learned a lot of stuff on these forums, and it's nice to be able to give back once in a while.
I have a few questions, How much difference do you guys think this cooling plate makes? Stihl must have saw a need for it to start using it. Just wondering what your take is on it? Other question. reading the 1st post, looking at the plate, I would just think it would move the muffler out away from the two holes on the lower part of case, like NewToStihl, said it'll space the lower holes out a little bit from the case, my 1st thought was to use a washer in there (between the muffler & case) the same thickness as the plate. But after looking at the update in post #5, Stihl wants you to buy a new case, and the holes are not moved outwards, but upwards and deeper to take a long screw. What I am not understand is the cooling plate raises the muffler upwards, and not outwards?? According to the way I read the update, Confused I have a early 044, wondering if the plate would be beneficial, if so, using my original cases, how to make the plate work? Thanks!!
The plate serves 2 major purposes 1. To keep hot exhaust heat from the muffler from radiating towards the cylinder 2. To direct the flow of cooling air around the cylinder fins, behind the muffler and out the chain side of the saw The "raised" description is in relation to the arrows as shown. The boss was raised as the bolt would see it, to account for the plate thickness
Moparmyway covered what you asked, especially for the case dimensions. Regarding our thoughts on starting to use the shield and Stihl thinking it was necessary. I think the short answer is yes, if Stihl felt they should add it you could certainly consider it a good idea. Sort of like when they went from the 10mm wrist pin to the 12mm . . . there is always a reason . . . and usually a good one. I can't see any downside to adding one to your saw. Yes, washers would do just fine as spacers - I've seen that same thing done when outfitting an 064 with an 066 muffler.
OK got it, so "raised" does not mean "up" like I was thinking, means the boss come out further to meet the back of the muffler. Thanks! Thanks for the reply, I have plate here and last night after I posted, I pulled the muffler on my 944, and test fit it, there was a gap between the back of the muffler and the two lower holes, as excepted. I just test fit it, did not torque everything down. Thanks for starting this thread!!
my two pennies. it likely corresponded with the muffler outlet shrinking. which would of course hold more heat. dy
