MS260 quick tensioner convertion

[paul99]

I got given a scrap MS260 a little while ago for parts but with some AM bits its back running. The only downside is that it has the quick chain tensioner which to sort out (new tensioner gear needed) would cost nearly more than the rest of the parts put together..

Has anyone successfully converted these to a standard tensioner? Removing that bar plate it looks like a side tensioner is out but a front tensioner might be possible...

A quick google didn't throw up any standard convertion parts / kits but surely removing all that unnecessary plastic nonsense must be a common thing to want to do?

Before I start cobbling something together I thought it must be worth a post as someone here must have already made such a convertion?

 

[ericm979]

When I got my 025 the dealer talked me into the "quick" adjuster. It worked ok when clean but was difficult to keep cleaned out. Last year I dug out the original parts that were included and converted it back to standard. Much better. Get a copy of the IPL and see what parts you'll need. At least some of them should be available from AM though I would get genuine parts for the adjuster itself.

 

[Dub11]

Hopefully it's not like the 270 and have to swap clutch side case half out. Between these and the quickstop brake options I'd like to backhand a couple people.

 

[paul99]

Hopefully it's not like the 270 and have to swap clutch side case half out. Between these and the quickstop brake options I'd like to backhand a couple people.

Yep there are two different castings for the clutch case half you really got to wonder what Stihl were thinking . I certainly wasn't ever going that far to solve the problem but a very quick look suggests that there was half an attempt to provide a recess in the right place to allow a front adjuster in the quick tensioner casting too. I'll just have a play with it tomorrow.

 

[paul99]

I've spent an hour or so looking at this and with a bit of messing it is possible to convert the saw to a front chain tensioner...


Remove the single bar stud. Remove the spline screws either side and replace with conventional bar studs..

Lining things up an 038 tensioner will fit perfectly...



You just need to Dremel out the casting at the front to slot it in...




That just leaves that single bar stud hole to plug. You may be able to buy an M5 x 1.5 spline screw plug for the job but I chose to attack an old bolt I had lying around with the lathe. I could have just cut down that original single bar stud removed earlier and slotted the top to install which would have been quicker.

I thinned the head down so it will sit flush with the casting underneath the bar plate...


Then cut to length...

Wind it in and your about done...

 

[paul99]

Finished
The eagle eyed among you will spot the bar studs have been turned down in the photo above... The only reason for that was to fit an Echo / Husky mount bar I have (The only .325 bar I have). This is also why I have not drilled a hole in the bar plate and fitted the plate retaining screw but will do this if / when I fit a proper Stihl mount bar.

All together it works just fine...

 

[HarleyT]

A new sprocket and chain, and the old adjuster system would've worked fine.

 

[Dub11]

Bravo!

 

[paul99]

A new sprocket and chain, and the old adjuster system would've worked fine.

One of us must be missing something but thanks for the suggestion I'll keep it in mind and apply it next time

 

[HarleyT]

When folks have difficulty keeping the chain tight, it is usually because of the worn sprocket.