A little background. At this point, I have two Stihl 026s. There are a few reasons I'm looking at switching to the MS260 filters.
1. They are bigger, so presumably breathe better
2. I've had terrible luck with AM filters for the 024/026 (I've yet to find one that operates the choke correctly)
3. This may be subjective, but the MS260 filters seem easier to find locally. At least in my area.
So I did some research on how feasible this is. For later model 026's with the short gas tank vent and black switch; it seems relatively easy. Order the filter, block the extra hole, get an MS260 rear cover...move on with life. But for earlier models of the 026 with the tall tank vent and red switch; it's a little more complicated. I've run across a dozen different descriptions of how to adapt the tank vent. But being an IT nerd who spends most of his time writing instructions for tasks; I thought I'd put together a more detailed description of the process. I should also mention this is a work in progress. I have three different tank vent options on their way at this point. So I'll be adding more information to this thread as I have time. For now, let's take a look at what we're dealing with.
There are several variations of the filter for the early 026/024. The oldest of which is on the left. It's pretty obvious that this filter was really small. In the middle, we have a later model 026 filter. In this case an AM filter. On the far right is an AM nylon filter for the MS260. Obviously, this isn't the best choice for keeping crap out of the saw. But for the purpose of just getting this specific saw up and running and documenting this process: it was cheap and available. That's a Husky I'm also working on in the background.
One of the biggest differences between the older style filters and the MS260 is the integrated choke. On my newer 026 I could not get it to start with an after-market filter. The little arm for the choke was too short. The quick and dirty solution was to take the filter apart and move the choke assembly from the old filter to the new one. Wich wasn't bad, but still annoying.
On the newer style filters, the integrated choke comes to a point, and IMHO seals better. I haven't had any trouble with saw starts using an AM MS260 filter on the newer 026. Note the extra hole that needs to be plugged for this application.
As I mentioned on the newer 026 saws, there is a shorter tank vent. It makes adapting to the newer style filter and rear cover more or less a plug-and-play solution. So let's take a look at the specific problems with adapting this to the older style 026 with the tall vent.
I borrowed this image from Chainsawr BTW. But this is the style vent on my newer 026. There are other variations of the vent that was used over the corse of the saws production. But while this shorter vent doesn't interfear with converting to a newer filter; it's not interchaingable with the older style tank and vent system either.
The MS260 uses a diffrent tank vent as well (pictured above). As I understand it, this vent is also not compatible with the older style 026 vent/tank.
So this is the vent we are actually dealling with. It's super tall, and more or less just presses on a nub on the tank.
Some of the descriptions I've read stated that you can just cut this vent down to make the MS260 filter fit. I'm not sure how that works. When I measured it, it looks like even when cut down; it will still be about 1/4 inch too tall. So my plan is to work with the parts I've ordered first, find a solution that works, and then circle back to the "cut down" option.
With the vent removed, you can see that the new filter otherwise fits fine. So in the coming days as parts arive I'll be adding to this thread. I have three options I'm considering
1. After market generic vent with hose
2. Adapting an MS260 tank vent to fit
3. Modifying the stock "Tall" vent
Option 1 seems to be the easiest solution that others have tied. So that's going to be the first one I attempt once the parts get here. In the meantime I have to rebuild this saws carb. So I'll hopefully be back in a couple days with an update.
1. They are bigger, so presumably breathe better
2. I've had terrible luck with AM filters for the 024/026 (I've yet to find one that operates the choke correctly)
3. This may be subjective, but the MS260 filters seem easier to find locally. At least in my area.
So I did some research on how feasible this is. For later model 026's with the short gas tank vent and black switch; it seems relatively easy. Order the filter, block the extra hole, get an MS260 rear cover...move on with life. But for earlier models of the 026 with the tall tank vent and red switch; it's a little more complicated. I've run across a dozen different descriptions of how to adapt the tank vent. But being an IT nerd who spends most of his time writing instructions for tasks; I thought I'd put together a more detailed description of the process. I should also mention this is a work in progress. I have three different tank vent options on their way at this point. So I'll be adding more information to this thread as I have time. For now, let's take a look at what we're dealing with.
There are several variations of the filter for the early 026/024. The oldest of which is on the left. It's pretty obvious that this filter was really small. In the middle, we have a later model 026 filter. In this case an AM filter. On the far right is an AM nylon filter for the MS260. Obviously, this isn't the best choice for keeping crap out of the saw. But for the purpose of just getting this specific saw up and running and documenting this process: it was cheap and available. That's a Husky I'm also working on in the background.
One of the biggest differences between the older style filters and the MS260 is the integrated choke. On my newer 026 I could not get it to start with an after-market filter. The little arm for the choke was too short. The quick and dirty solution was to take the filter apart and move the choke assembly from the old filter to the new one. Wich wasn't bad, but still annoying.
On the newer style filters, the integrated choke comes to a point, and IMHO seals better. I haven't had any trouble with saw starts using an AM MS260 filter on the newer 026. Note the extra hole that needs to be plugged for this application.
As I mentioned on the newer 026 saws, there is a shorter tank vent. It makes adapting to the newer style filter and rear cover more or less a plug-and-play solution. So let's take a look at the specific problems with adapting this to the older style 026 with the tall vent.
I borrowed this image from Chainsawr BTW. But this is the style vent on my newer 026. There are other variations of the vent that was used over the corse of the saws production. But while this shorter vent doesn't interfear with converting to a newer filter; it's not interchaingable with the older style tank and vent system either.
The MS260 uses a diffrent tank vent as well (pictured above). As I understand it, this vent is also not compatible with the older style 026 vent/tank.
So this is the vent we are actually dealling with. It's super tall, and more or less just presses on a nub on the tank.
Some of the descriptions I've read stated that you can just cut this vent down to make the MS260 filter fit. I'm not sure how that works. When I measured it, it looks like even when cut down; it will still be about 1/4 inch too tall. So my plan is to work with the parts I've ordered first, find a solution that works, and then circle back to the "cut down" option.
With the vent removed, you can see that the new filter otherwise fits fine. So in the coming days as parts arive I'll be adding to this thread. I have three options I'm considering
1. After market generic vent with hose
2. Adapting an MS260 tank vent to fit
3. Modifying the stock "Tall" vent
Option 1 seems to be the easiest solution that others have tied. So that's going to be the first one I attempt once the parts get here. In the meantime I have to rebuild this saws carb. So I'll hopefully be back in a couple days with an update.
