Is there a simple way to identify the difference between these saws, Serial number, etc.?
I recently acquired a used Stihl saw off CL (post "traded old ammo for MS440") that was claimed to be an MS440. The guy was "selling it for a neighbor" story, didn't know much about it. It was missing the ID Plate from the top of the engine cover so I assumed that is what it was. The saw runs great, no problems there. I thought about "sprucing it up a little" and getting new/used air filter/engine covers for it and started checking ebay for parts. I was confused in that the specific part numbers being referenced there for several 440 covers didn't match mine, but I did find the matching cover listed under the 460 saws. I realize that the covers changed over the years slightly, and some parts may be the same between the two saws. But I tried to find a "single definitive serial #" on the saw so I could make sure what I have ...... I could not ....... just various parts numbers on individual parts. My air filter cover is part 1128-141-0501C/0503B/0504A. That started making me wonder if this is a 440 or 460.
It looks just like my newer MS440 except the newer one has the two piece air filter cover assembly instead of the one piece cover on the older one. I suppose that if I took it appart a ways to see the cylinder # I might be able to tell with that, but is there some other easier to get to number, or identifying feature that can help? Am I missing something here?
Inquiring mind wants to know, I was thinking about possibly "pimping out" this saw since I have the newer one that I'll leave as is. Porting, muffler mod, etc.
I recently acquired a used Stihl saw off CL (post "traded old ammo for MS440") that was claimed to be an MS440. The guy was "selling it for a neighbor" story, didn't know much about it. It was missing the ID Plate from the top of the engine cover so I assumed that is what it was. The saw runs great, no problems there. I thought about "sprucing it up a little" and getting new/used air filter/engine covers for it and started checking ebay for parts. I was confused in that the specific part numbers being referenced there for several 440 covers didn't match mine, but I did find the matching cover listed under the 460 saws. I realize that the covers changed over the years slightly, and some parts may be the same between the two saws. But I tried to find a "single definitive serial #" on the saw so I could make sure what I have ...... I could not ....... just various parts numbers on individual parts. My air filter cover is part 1128-141-0501C/0503B/0504A. That started making me wonder if this is a 440 or 460.
It looks just like my newer MS440 except the newer one has the two piece air filter cover assembly instead of the one piece cover on the older one. I suppose that if I took it appart a ways to see the cylinder # I might be able to tell with that, but is there some other easier to get to number, or identifying feature that can help? Am I missing something here?
Inquiring mind wants to know, I was thinking about possibly "pimping out" this saw since I have the newer one that I'll leave as is. Porting, muffler mod, etc.
). I called over to my local Stihl guy to see if he could identify it for me. He said he could call Stihl and run the Serial #, but that I needed to be prepared for the possibility that it might be a stolen saw. If it was, he would be bound to report it as such opening that can of worms. Since I still had the contact number for the person on CL, I told him to go ahead and run it. He put me on hold for a few minutes and came back with the fact that it was an unregistered, not reported stolen, 2008, MS460. Sweet! The saw plus the 25" bar/chain, not bad for $180 (original cost) worth of old ammo. 
