Stihl 066 vs. MS660?

[steevo]

Hi all. I have a foolish question. I owned a couple of the 064's a few years back and loved 'em. I have been running Huskies the past few years. Now I am contemplating buying another Stihl. I am wondering though, what are the differences between the 066 and the MS660? I had run an 066 a while back, and was impressed. I have been looking on ebay, and can get one for about half the price of new. So, I am looking for some advice from all you guys experienced with Stihl. 066 or new ms660?

 

[Sylvatica]

The newer 660 will have a greatly restricted muffler with a tiny outlet port compared to an older 066.

Good luck on the eBay saw....caveat emptor.

 

[steevo]

Really? Well, I suppose I could do something about that right?

 

[Lawn Masters]

On the newer 066 saws you can get a different muffler cover from stihl, I think its about $20 or so, I'll see if I can find a part # for you.

Your other options are to open the muffler up some by cutting/drilling extra outlet holes in the muffler. I've used a dremel on my saw to reduce the resrtictions from them, there are some guys here though that have dont a better job and their work looks much more neat and clean in comparison to mine.

http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14349
here is one such muffler modification, very well done and great looking too.

Here is a picture of a modded muffler for a 385.

Now these may not be perfect examples of what you can do to fix the restricted mufflers on an MS660 model, but they point one in the right direction to get what you desire from it. Just remember to rechen up the High speed setting on your saw after you do the alterations to prevent lean seizure.

 

[glens]

Not perfect?  Not even relevant.

Steevo, I actually own an 066.  Mine's one or two years prior to the MS660 and I believe it's sufficiently evolved that the only change between them is the nameplate.  The muffler exhaust openings are a formed slot and tiny hole.

I purchased stock part number 1122 140 0800 for $37.45 almost one year ago.  These images aren't mine but they show the part:

<img src="http://www.arboristsite.com/attachment.php?s=&postid=40112">

<img src="http://www.arboristsite.com/attachment.php?s=&postid=40115">

See this <a href="http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?threadid=4456">thread</a> (the source of those images) for further considerations.

I highly recommend the saw.&nbsp; I haven't run any of the larger Huskies so my only point of reference is the literature and a digital scale.&nbsp; The 385 weighs &frac14;# <i>more</i> than the MS660, and the 394 was 2# more yet.&nbsp; All unused powerheads, dry, missing only bars/chain.

Glen

 

[Ryan Willock]

Glenn would be correct in that the only differances are the name plates. The tiny exhust port is no big deal as it is quickly and simply dealt with in short order with a dremel

 

[steevo]

Thanks a lot guys. I really appreciate the input. I have been watching an 066 on ebay, but as it gets to be higher in price, I am considering buying a new ms660. I'm sure I will be pleased with the performance over my older 064's that I used to have. Any more input would be great. Again, thanks


Steve

 

[stihltech]

ebay

We had a gentlman come in today with an 029 and proclaim that he got it on ebay for "only $325.00!"
Should have seen the look on his face when we showed him the price of 299.95 everyday.

That auction fever will getcha!

 

[rahtreelimbs]

One thing that is being missed and is the most important is the basket inside the muffler. Opening up the outlet will only achieve so much. The basket has to be opened up also.

 

[glens]

Hi, Rich.

I got a solid 15% decrease in cutting time on a 22" red oak log by merely swapping the front covers.&nbsp; Opening the inner basket is, however, what I had in mind by "further considerations" when recommending the thread, above.

Glen

 

[TimberMcPherson]

A few of my mates are loggers, and all were big fans of the 066. One of them has asked to buy my old 066 off me as (in his words)
"Dunno whats up with the new 660's but the F***kers have been going pop after 6 to 10 months, used to get up to 18 from the 066."

Perhaps they have changed fuels or something but I have heard from a few of my circle of saw users that the 660 are not surviving as long as what the 066's did. Anyone else heard that?

The guy who brought the 029 above retail, ???? the seller has to be having a good laugh!

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

Originally posted by RockyJSquirrel
Some people still do not understand and think they need to 'break in' the saw before fixing the muffler and carb. This makes no sense either.

There might be something to running a saw for a while before voiding the warrenty, just to make sure there isn't something wrong.
Plus how you going to know it's faster if you don't break it in and time some cuts?

 

[buckwheat]

and off in the distance, there was the faint sound....



dolmar, dolmar, dolmar!

 

[Dr. Hackemoff]

Since I don't know how to string attachments together, my next four replies will have pics of my stock 660 and the muffler. Have used it about 30 hours, no problems so far.

I don't want to overheat this saw, and I do a lot of cutting in 90+ weather in August. But I would prefer that the noise levels don't increase by 30 db either. But perhaps this trade off can't be avoided.

Suggestions, please

First pic - saw

 

[Dr. Hackemoff]

Nest pic. There are also holes on the bottom

 

[Dr. Hackemoff]

Next pic. Note the exhaust hole. Just fore of it is a slot (difficult to see) that actually blows back towards the hole.

 

[Dr. Hackemoff]

Front view.

Will simply removing the screen help... (but do I truly risk a fire hazard).

Seems this arrangement of holes and slots were done for a reason.

 

[glens]

Nice photos!

The little hole in the shell is really the limiting factor, so you'd gain nothing by just removing the screen.&nbsp; If you increased the opening enough, eventually the non-wire area of the screen <i>would</i> become the choke point, but I wouldn't do that.&nbsp; The "Magnum" front cover really is nice, and it's not too loud either.&nbsp; Just enough to get rid of that tinny sound.

I haven't done anything with the inner basket yet on mine.&nbsp; I know I should, but I don't want to just cut the front/bottom clean out.&nbsp; I have a feeling it will get a bit louder doing that what with the front opening being right in line.

Glen

 

[Ryan Willock]

I absolutly hated the walkerized style muffler on my 372 as even with hearing protection that thing was insanely LOUD!! Also when falling timber with it the exhust was aimed right at you I've got Dennis G's work on my 066 and he opened up the muffler alot and I still don't have any problems with it because of the way he did it.

 

[rbtree]

both of my old 066's have no inner box at all, just dual port..and are not that loud. Get rid of that inner dodad, or at least open each hole way up.