Stihl MS361 help for a newbie

[pleasant]

2 hours ago, ChrisNewport said:

is the top end genuine? My first thought when i saw the first picture was that piston looks aftermarket and and the gasket between the crankcase doesnt look right for such a clean saw giving me the impression someone has been in there before you.

I am wondering whether this is a chinese 361 clone. There were a load about around 10 years ago until stihl started getting sniffy and took court action. Effectively they were very good fakes of the 361. I noted the cylinder gasket and piston like you. Also no stihl markings on the clutch drum. Interested to see the starter recoil...the inside and the 361 badge. Do the orange engine covers have stihl numbers moulded on the underside i wonder? If it is a fake, them most likely it has never run of if it did ever start then not for long hence the unreasonably clean condition. Its probably been knocking around in someones garage until recently...maybe. I dont know how poster came about it. 

 

You dont invest in a pro ms361 then dont use it...unless theres an issue and you would take it back to stihl under warranty if there were...not, not use it and store it 

Edited April 10, 2023 by pleasant

[ChrisNewport]

1 minute ago, pleasant said:

I am wondering whether this is a chinese 361 clone. There were a load about around 10 years ago until stihl started getting sniffy and took court action. Effectively they were very good fakes of the 361. I noted the cylinder gasket and piston like you. Also no stihl markings on the clutch drum. Interested to see the starter recoil...the inside and the 361 badge. Do the orange engine covers have stihl numbers moulded on the underside i wonder? 

Just looking at the OP's photo of the flywheel gives it away, no markings on the underside and the key is seperate.  Of course this doesnt help him get it started but hopefully he wont be wasting money on OEM parts if needed.

[pleasant]

5 minutes ago, ChrisNewport said:

Just looking at the OP's photo of the flywheel gives it away, no markings on the underside and the key is seperate.  Of course this doesnt help him get it started but hopefully he wont be wasting money on OEM parts if needed.

Like i say....its surely always had issues so given the poor tolerances of manufacture if it is a copy then he may never get it to start

[adw]

8 minutes ago, pleasant said:

Like i say....its surely always had issues so given the poor tolerances of manufacture if it is a copy then he may never get it to start

You are probably right, but I would expect it to at least fire, even the crappy Husqvarna copies did run. however I accept you may have seen more of these and know better.

[spudulike]

I think that some 361s had a separate key like in the pic and some were cast in to the flywheel. I have an original one on the bench at the moment and the key is like this....thicker than the usual MS200T, MS260, MS460, MS660 etc but the one on my bench is 100% genuine. The flywheel had come loose hence it being with me.

[chopchop]

Thanks to all above. Bit gutted obviously but not the end of the world...you generally get what you pay for. Naively had no idea the Chinese could knock of high end chainsaws. But instead of binning it I'll see if I can get it running...might still cut wood eh? And I'm no pro (obviously) don't need it for work etc. Thanks all.

[pleasant]

1 minute ago, chopchop said:

Thanks to all above. Bit gutted obviously but not the end of the world...you generally get what you pay for. Naively had no idea the Chinese could knock of high end chainsaws. But instead of binning it I'll see if I can get it running...might still cut wood eh? And I'm no pro (obviously) don't need it for work etc. Thanks all.

Dont bin it yet.....lets see more pics of components like i posted earlier....it would help to confirm either way

[chopchop]

Not looking good. Blank S/N plate etc...damn.

[pleasant]

Dont need to look at any more pics. That stihl nameplate is enough to tell its a chinese fake you have there

[Stere]

 

 

One here: