Stihl MS390 versus MS360, Worth Fixing the 390 up?

Can anyone tell me how a MS390 performs compared to a 360 Pro. I have this old 390 lying around a friend gave me a couple years ago. It was suggested by a member one time that I just use it as a boat anchor, hence the rope attached to it in this old photo. It needs a rear cover, air filter, flippicap, and probably a new coil to complete it. After that it would be business as usual to start evaluating everything else out and try to get it to run. It had a tag on it labeled "Dead", and has no spark. Decent looking piston and cylinder, I might just luck out cheap with a few Huztl parts.

My ultimate decision is based on what performance I might see over my 036/360s? Does it really fall sort of between my 360 and 440 (plus obvious limitations of being non-pro)? Can it pull/oil a 25" bar?

If I fix it up, does it count against my CAD remission status since I technically already own it? I would think not!

 

The MS 360(12.5 lbs, 61.5cc,,4.4 h)p should perform about the same or better than the 390 (13.0 lbs, 64.1cc, 4.3 hp). Pro saws get more performance out of less weight and less cc's than clamshells. That said, don't forget to factor in the "satisfying feeling" of bringing the 390 back from the dead. It is may not be "worth" it from a pure financial point of view, and certainly not from a performance improvement over the 360. On the other hand, the 390 is a very desirable saw in the used market, so you might be able to put a little $ and elbow grease in and flip it for a small profit. Who knows?

 

It will feel heavy, bumpy, and maybe slow compared to a 360.

 

Really depends if you own a boat or not...

 

In all seriousness if that is all it needs, track down some used parts and fix it up. You'll get that satisfied feeling that you fixed the saw. After that, sell it because you will hate it if you have a 360 and a 440. I bought a ms311 cheap and ended up hating it and selling the saw for a profit. I already had a nice anchor for the boat so it was a no brainer.

 

Dang, I was hoping it might fractionally fill a void somewhat if I were to unload my 440 some day ........

Thanks guys, looks like the jury is in on this baby. My Boston Whaler is smiling.

 

Here is a 6421 vs. a MM 039. The 039 isn't too shabby after modding the muffler.

 

That doesn't look too bad. I've been known to mod a muffler or two in my days! Here is what I did last night, an hour of cleaning and its still a mess with lots more to do. I decided to order this "coil" kit, amazing how many "cheap" parts you can get for $33 with free shipping! We'll see where all this gets me with it and go from there! (the other saw is my 024AV awaiting a Nikasil cylinder kit)

 

And if you put the term "The Legendary Farm Boss" in the ad, the price may double.

 

I would have some fun with that MS 390. I would widen the intake and exhaust ports on the cylinder a little. Then use the muffler gasket to match the cylinder exhaust to the muffler. Open up another exit on the muffler. Advance the timing by a few degrees. Then that saw will leave that 036 in the dust. Open port clamshells respond to mods just as well as a lot of other saws. They are just a little more pain to do because you have to remove the whole engine from the case in order to do the mods.

 

Those saws actually take better to simple mods than the 360.
I've had good results with 2 very simple changes, and never had to grind on them.
As long as they got close to 150 pounds of comp. they're usually good to go.

 

The mm and retune did wonders for my saw. What are the two things you do?

 

The stihl out cut the Makita by a second.

 

I was going to tell you buy china parts including filter and cover and use it or sell it for $250-300 on CL. A farm boss bar will guarantee that price.

Adirondack stihl can make that beast scream and make a stock 440 run and hide. I have seen his 290!!!

A simple muffler modd will wake that thing up and make you 25% faster in the cut easy

 

I need a bar for it. This is on ebay for $31.05 plus shipping. This would match up nice in character. "My original bar ...... you can see I only used it this much, lotta life left in this old saw!"

 

What does a farm boss 20" "blade " cost new?

 

I won't tell anyone else!

 

Not sure, but I was just kidding, I have a used stihl 20" I'll put on it. Then I'll buy the new bar for me!