266XP vs 268XP. Which do you prefer?

[ballisticdoughnut]

For those who have a fair bit of time running both, which do you prefer? On paper the 268 has like two or three tenths more horsepower but seems like the 266 has maybe a little more torque? I was running a 268XP top end on one of my 266’s but swapped back to the stock (266) top end because I almost couldn’t tell the difference between the two. Ran the same HS224 carb and 266XP muffler on both.

 

[Bob Hedgecutter]

266XP for me- just feels more sleek and nimble and if you take the stickers off very few average people that use saws will pick a power difference between the two.

 

[singinwoodwackr]

For those who have a fair bit of time running both, which do you prefer? On paper the 268 has like two or three tenths more horsepower but seems like the 266 has maybe a little more torque? I was running a 268XP top end on one of my 266’s but swapped back to the stock (266) top end because I almost couldn’t tell the difference between the two. Ran the same HS224 carb and 266XP muffler on both.

I’ll let ya know once I get the 268 built,
266xp is done

 

[ballisticdoughnut]

266XP for me- just feels more sleek and nimble and if you take the stickers off very few average people that use saws will pick a power difference between the two.

My thoughts as well. 268XP has a bigger combustion chamber than 266 which I’m not a fan of. Even with a Hyway pop-up piston I was only able to get 155 psi with the 268 cylinder. 268 definitely has higher potential to make power but stock for stock I didn’t notice much difference.

 

[ballisticdoughnut]

This is the saw in question in case anyone is wondering. I call it the “ugly duckling”.

 

[singinwoodwackr]

Yea, ugly as sin. You should swap that ugly blue pos kit to me for a genuine top cover and filter

 

[Czed]

My ported dual coil 266s are stronger through the entire power band compared to my ported 268s

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

Stock to stock. Since not all ported saws done same by everyone.

Depends on the 266 over the years. Owned a few of them. Seen different pistons etc and mufflers etc. So prob different maker cylinders and stock porting too.
Some seemed to be better then others in cut.

Just like jred 670 has 3 cylinder makers. 1 I was told hotter then rest.

Owned a 268xp too but had a 272 on it.

I'd take my 670 champ over them all.

PHO dry weights

 

[ballisticdoughnut]

Update. So far I’m liking this saw better with 266 top end. Got a bit of run time on it still need to do compression test to see where it’s at. Definitely up from when it had 268XP cylinder. Has new ring so gonna take a few more tanks to get a true number.

 

[singinwoodwackr]

Update. So far I’m liking this saw better with 266 top end. Got a bit of run time on it still need to do compression test to see where it’s at. Definitely up from when it had 268XP cylinder. Has new ring so gonna take a few more tanks to get a true number.

This the new blue top?

 

[ballisticdoughnut]

This the new blue top?

Yeah. Probably gonna be a few days before I run it again but so far I’m liking it.

 

[singinwoodwackr]

Yeah. Probably gonna be a few days before I run it again but so far I’m liking it.

Maybe one of the knock-off companies could resurrect that kit.

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

Maybe one of the knock-off companies could resurrect that kit.

I was looking at some of my past 266's after you brought up the rounded 81 chain catcher. Only one I have seen in pics. Even the 83 one I just sold square too. Case rounded.

Since I never pay attention to this stuff. Was all the cases on 266 rounded there like this 81 and 83. I havent looked at the later xp ones I had yet.

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

Dont have any good pics of that area on my later xp ones or the se-xp transition ones.

 

[ballisticdoughnut]

Think it was mid 80’s Husqvarna changed that recessed area for the chain catcher from rounded to square. Wanna say it was done on or around same time they went to fine thread cranks.

 

[singinwoodwackr]

Oldest 61 I have is 83. The 4 2xx /61 saws I have are square.

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

I got 266 collectors checking their stables in my group. That 83 above was still round case area with square catcher on 266.

I know some of the guys try and collect every year of them. Because I have sold them ones they were missing.


My 97 670 is square case and the tensioner fix I do on all of them. 266 one circled.

 

[ballisticdoughnut]

My “ugly duckling” 266SE is a early production 86 model, has the square chain catcher recess but coarse thread crank. I’ll have to look at my other 61/266 saws to see if I can determine when the change was made from round to square. Here’s a service bulletin that was released in March of 1986 about the fine thread cranks and serial numbers. Not necessarily relevant to the topic at hand but interesting nonetheless.

 

[singinwoodwackr]

So...rechecked the saws, cases I have.
1 of the 1983s has the rounded depression, one is sq. unknown year is round. 266xp and 268xp are Sq.

Pt# for round is 501 53 11-01, NLA
Sq is 501 68 68-01

Later models went to plastic.

I may make up a few round ones just for fun for the two I have as the sq ones dont quite fit well in the round hole

 

[singinwoodwackr]

Found some hard rubber mat material at an estate sale yesterday...1/8" thick and about the same consistency as the oe square.