Husqvarna 266XP vs Stihl 038AV Super?

[Huskybill]

I purchased 8 or 9 of the 570 husky saws. Most are between $200/$300 running. Or low compression but still run. In stead of the 372’s. I serviced the 570’s and gave one each to my sons. My kids love them, it’s the first saw they grab. I told them to run them oil rich. You might want to look for a 570?

372/70.7cc but expensive
570/73.3cc but very smooth running.

 

[Jason280]

I'm not really looking for anything larger, as I already have a 372XP, Stihl 460, and 390XP. I had been looking for something in the 60cc range simply to run a 20" bar, mainly to fill a void between my 242XP and 372. I'm still kicking myself for getting rid of a 359 a few years back, won't make that mistake again!

 

[Husky Man]

I'm not really looking for anything larger, as I already have a 372XP, Stihl 460, and 390XP. I had been looking for something in the 60cc range simply to run a 20" bar, mainly to fill a void between my 242XP and 372. I'm still kicking myself for getting rid of a 359 a few years back, won't make that mistake again!

So far I like my 550XP real well, it's not broken in yet, and I hear they really Wake Up after about 10 tanks of fuel, I'm only about half way there

In my opinion the 353 is one of Husky's Beat kept Secrets if you like the 3xx series saws, mine gets a LOT of use


Doug

 

[burnses]

two old saws...I ran a 266 a bit after rebuilding if for a friend....metal brake flag vintage...sure was a runner...lot of history in that series saw and if you have a 272 you gotta have a 266. I dig stihls but the 266 is a simpler construction with less rubber in the intake and so is a less expensive saw to fix. Its got the 2 piece ignition that can give trouble and it is the model that tought me bout cracked starter hub that the rope winds on to ....there is a updated part. Can make the saw pull real hard....fix the stihl it will run for ever....mag top end and a bing carb is the thing for that...but being fair the 266 gonna have the edge on power over a stock 038 super...

good luck
the can

 

[Jason280]

One reason I haven't been real motivated with the Stihl is I haven't been able to find a decent replacement piston. Seems the 038 Super is a little less common, at least best I can tell, and I haven't been able to source a Meteor (or similar) piston.

 

[Mad Professor]

One reason I haven't been real motivated with the Stihl is I haven't been able to find a decent replacement piston. Seems the 038 Super is a little less common, at least best I can tell, and I haven't been able to source a Meteor (or similar) piston.

With a little work you can put a 038M P/C on it.

I was surprised the 038S piston is NLA from stihl and meteor does not list one. $tihl li$t$ the P/C kit but for price make it into a 038M

Episan makes a piston for the 038S. I've not used those but others here have said they are good quality, made in Turkey. The circlips have the ears and I'd switch those out.

 

[Tinman204]

I used to have a 90's vintage 038 magnum. It was a grunty saw and cut whatever I put it to, pulling a 25" full comp chain like nobodys business.

The thing with that saw was it was HEAVY, like 80cc class heavy. I ended up replacing it with a 12mm 044 and havent looked back. So if youre looking at an 038 super Id say if its the same weight as my magnum then the 266 gets the nod.

If you dont mind weight then you'll be hard pressed to find a more robust and reliable saw then a 038..

Ive never owned a 266xp but I have run one, they are one of the best saws husky ever made in my oppinion. I'd love to own one.

These days if I'm rolling with a 60cc class machine then Ill admit im grabbing a 562xp.

Still find myself wanting a 266 even though I dont need one.

 

[rocketnorton]

Isn't the 038 Super also a 66cc saw?

yep.
150 is good comp. how bad's the piston? might have one here.

 

[Jason280]

Piston looks good on the intake side, nice and shiny, but the exhaust does have some scoring....I'll see if I can find a few pics.

 

[JohnT34]

Get some pics up
If it’s exhaust side only and not too bad the piston might be salvageable as you said you have 180 psi compression
The scoring could be from carbon build up in exhaust port


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[singinwoodwackr]

266xp was my first new bought saw in '85. It was the saw of choice for the firewood crew I worked with back then...about 20 cutters. We took out almond and walnut orchards. Bar sizes varied by height of the guy using it...I ran a 24". I ran it with a 031 until I got my 066 mag in '92. 6days a week, 6+hrs/day...
I sold it 10-12yrs ago after a re-ring. It got another ring job a few yrs back and is still in service at a mountain resort.

It pulled a 32" with skip chain just fine in big wood.

One of the best saws ever made IMO

I think we called the 38s boat anchors.
No comparison at all.

 

[Mad Professor]

266xp was my first new bought saw in '85. It was the saw of choice for the firewood crew I worked with back then...about 20 cutters. We took out almond and walnut orchards. Bar sizes varied by height of the guy using it...I ran a 24". I ran it with a 031 until I got my 066 mag in '92. 6days a week, 6+hrs/day...
I sold it 10-12yrs ago after a re-ring. It got another ring job a few yrs back and is still in service at a mountain resort.

It pulled a 32" with skip chain just fine in big wood.

One of the best saws ever made IMO

I think we called the 38s boat anchors.
No comparison at all.

I think a 038M will spank a huskvarmint 266 in a big cut, even if it is "fat"

 

[Tinman204]

I think a 038M will spank a huskvarmint 266 in a big cut, even if it is "fat"

Ill second that. My 038 magnum was never low in the power department. It was just heavy for what it was.

 

[Jason280]

Get some pics up
If it’s exhaust side only and not too bad the piston might be salvageable as you said you have 180 psi compression
The scoring could be from carbon build up in exhaust port

The Stihl was only pulling around 150psi, it's the 266 XP that was closer to get 180. Also, a few people keep mentioning the 038 Magnum, what I have is an 038 Super...I think there is a fairly big difference between the Super and Magnum.

Wouldn't the 038 Magnum be closer to a 371/372 XP?

Either way, I'll try and get a few pics of the 038 Super piston.

 

[SawTroll]

Even came with a manual, 3 chains, scrench, and an extra chain brake cover/assembly.

Any guesses on the year of manufacture?

The saw was made 1987 week 9 - and that is NOT a guess.

Note that the number tag still said 266 SE at that point, despite the model name had been revised to 266 XP.

 

[SawTroll]

The differences between the 266 and the 61 are as follows
Bigger carb 228 vs 163 tillotson in 61 (don’t hold me on the numbers)
…...

The 266 SE usually came with the same HS-163 carb as the 61 (and 162) up to some time in 1985 (some saws came with a similar sized Walbro instead). Then the 266 SE got the larger carb, and less than a year later it was renamed to XP (as far as I know, without any further technical change at that point).

 

[SawTroll]

Isn't the 038 Super also a 66cc saw?

66.7, just like the 266.

 

[Tinman204]

The Stihl was only pulling around 150psi, it's the 266 XP that was closer to get 180. Also, a few people keep mentioning the 038 Magnum, what I have is an 038 Super...I think there is a fairly big difference between the Super and Magnum.

Wouldn't the 038 Magnum be closer to a 371/372 XP?

Either way, I'll try and get a few pics of the 038 Super piston.

038 mag is close in power but not in chain speed.

038 super is a strong saw but it will weigh more then a 372xp so thats where it looses points. My 038 was heavier then my 576xp. They are close in weight to a 288xp or something of that size.

Still a nice saw though.

 

[Jason280]

I just missed out on a clean 288xp for $250, except it was about 4hrs away...

Here are a few pics of the 038 piston (exhaust side):

 

[Jason280]

...and here are a few more pics of the Husqvarna 266, looks like I'm missing the deflector(?) from the muffler.